A floral offering and a bit of knitting

Isn't this beautiful? It's the first time this little Christmas Cactus has bloomed -- it was given to me last year by the Thoughtful R's, and I've done my best to care for it properly (actually, I was just trying to keep it alive). The flowers are just gorgeous, and there are buds on every leaf tip.

~::~

Here's some of what I've been doing with my Sunday: I'm spinning up my California Red roving so that one of those R's can learn to knit with a reminder of her favorite Rhinebeck sheep. I'd almost forgotten what it feels like to spin "thick" yarn. I figure that this will ply to something like light worsted, and it will suit a beginner. I find myself sitting down to spin for a few minutes, then getting up to do something else, like this:

I finally came up with just the right combination of pattern and yarn for V's socks. It only took me two years...

The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in the Martha's Vineyard colorway, and the pattern is Erica Alexander's Cable Rib Socks from IK Spring 2005. I've only gotten as far as the heel flap on the first sock, but that's good; I've re-started these socks at least three times, never getting beyond the first two inches.

It was the Lantern Moon DPN's. They were calling out to be used, so I responded. I've wanted a set for a long time, and I got them at the Retreat. These are US 1's; by the time I realized that I'd be a fool not to get some US 2's as well, both vendors were sold out. That'll teach me. Impulses are to be heeded! More needles = more socks! It's all about the socks!

I finished my New Beginnings Scarf (Bess has her NBS, too, only it's a beautiful sweater) and it's blocked and drying. Silk takes a long time to dry. A really long time. Especially when it's boucle (lots of silkiness there, you know). I'm trying to be patient, but it's hard. I'm thrilled with how it turned out -- it's more than six feet long, and just four inches wide, so it wraps and drapes to perfection. I'll post a picture if it ever dries...

So here's my plan: [I do keep making plans don't I? I mean well, and I'm earnest enough, but my follow-through stinks.] Anyway. I'm going to work a little bit every day on some of the beautiful but neglected projects (like V's socks). I'm not going to give myself a hard time about them, because I don't have any deadlines. I'll just knit along on This and That, and keep planning the reincarnation of my Manos Wildflower sweater. It might need to be something as simple as a v-neck pullover, and stockinette from one end to the other. I don't want to fight the beautiful colors, but I don't want to look like a giant sno-cone either.

I guess I really am a Process Knitter. I leave a trail of unfinished pieces behind me, but I'm having fun and learning a lot. I do finish things eventually, I've realized, so there's no reason to panic like I did in the summer. I'm over that phase. My stash isn't out of control, but there's enough there to satisfy most of my knitting urges. I want to spend more time spinning, and playing with all the lovely fibers that I've accumulated lately.

That brings me to my deepest, darkest desire of the fiberly kind: I really want to think about buying K's Reeves wheel because he might be wanting to part with it, and it's the most beautiful thing in the world, and it was made by Rick Reeves Himself, and K has taken such good care of it, and every time I go to his house it's there, sweet and golden, and when I stayed at K's last week it was in my room and I swear I heard it say something to me (or it might have been the little boy scaredy-cat, but I think it really was the wheel). However, I have much to consider before acting on this desire, like space (of which I have none, even for another spinning wheel), and cost (because while K is generous, he is not a fool).

Go ahead, you can think it -- it's not like I don't know it already: I'm a goner.

No, not exactly. The considerations are really very important, and since I know that K has no deadline, I get to take my time.

KR Retreat Part Two (in which Jane Gets On With It)

I returned to work on Tuesday to find the following note attached to the cash register:

Welcome to my world.

I've been reading and enjoying all the KR threads and blog posts about the Retreat. Everyone has written so well about the beautiful weather, the mountain setting of Graves, the delicious food (and Nathan!), and the knitterly companionship that was inspired by Clara. The longer I'm home, the more I realize what an extraordinary experience I had.

• We saw many, many beautiful and innovative garments created by knitters of all levels of experience.
• We listened to tales of inspiration and knitting triumphs (as well as some nightmares).
• There were as many knitting styles in the room as there were knitters, and it was fun to compare techniques.
• Spinners were born, at wheels and with spindles, and with laughter all around (laughter seems to melt the frustration).
• Everywhere I turned there were knitters in twos and threes, heads bent over projects, conversations rising and falling (mostly rising; the decibel level was intense!) as they worked away on everything from swatches to socks.
• Through it all wound Clara, who I'd see somewhere else in the room every time I looked up.
• Sunday morning's "New Beginnings" session, when we wrote a letter to ourselves, sealed it, and placed it in Clara's care, was the most emotional part of the Retreat for me. I wonder what I will think when I open the envelope next year? The little blue scarf in the photo below is the project I began then, when we got to go around the room and have everyone knit a few stitches. If there's a better way to remember this special weekend, I don't know what it could be.
• The overflowing bin of knitting for the Dulaan Project inspired me to continue making hats and scarves to send all though the year.
• Clara's yarn talk was perfect. And I thought I knew yarn...
• The toe-up sock class that was taught by Sheila was enough to get me to re-think my next pair. Why, I'll never run out of Socks That Rock yarn if I start at the toe!
• The Saturday afternoon marketplace, and Jen's Sunday trailer sale, provided me with some lovely treats! Knitter's Review Boutique goodies, Targhee/Alpaca/Silk/Cashmere roving, CVM combed top, Silk boucle yarn for a scarf, and a set of Lantern Moon Ebony DPNs.

~:~:~

It's time for me to re-enter my own world now. There's the usual Wednesday list of errandy things, Annabelle needs some comfort (she does not have fun when I am away), and my little home is a big mess. I have lots of knitting and spinning to do, too. At the top pf the list: spin some California Red for one of the dear R's to learn to knit with next weekend.

KR Retreat Part One (in which Jane Gets Over It)

Imagine that you are a slightly apprehensive person (see previous entry) who is about to embark upon a Knitting Adventure. Your day begins badly on several other levels (the apprehension thing is easy in comparison), and you spend much of your day reasoning and sorting and sniffling and Getting Over It, but you must do it in the car, along with all the other cars crammed onto Route 66 on Friday afternoon. You drive and drive and drive, managing to become more excited, less distressed, and less apprehensive with every mile, and you end up here:

Graves Mountain Lodge, Sunday morning

You spend much of your time on this Knitting Adventure doing something like this:

Knitting on the porch at the Knitter's Review Retreat

You spend the remainder of your time laughing your you-know-what off and being fed large meals consisting mainly of apples and carbohydrates. Why in the world would you want to come home?

~:~:~

Not a fair question. I am happy to be home. I am pretty happy, period. I'm still processing all the wonderful experiences I had with the fabulous KR knitters, so I'll post more over the next few days.

I wish I'd taken lots of pictures, but I didn't. I met so many people who were on my "Oh, I'd Love To Meet Her!" List that my head is spinning (Ha! A pun!), and so many who I just got lucky enough to spend a little time with. My roommate was a real gem (Double ha! Another one!) and I am so happy that Clara paired us up.

I came home a better knitter, a happier spinner, and a renewed Jane. I made new friends who I already cherish. I have some lovely new fiber to spin and yarn to knit. I can't ask for more than that.

But then I stop

At this rate I'll be knitting this scarf for the rest of my life, or at least until sometime next year. I think I want to rip it out and start over. The pattern isn't the best choice for the yarn, it turns out -- not enough drape, too much manipulation needed. I keep losing a stitch at the edge of the cable because the yarn is just so slippery. Knitting is supposed to be fun, right? And relaxing? And I am a strong advocate of the "choose the best yarn/pattern for the pattern/yarn," aren't I? Yeah, it's history.

I woke up at 4:06 this morning. Four-oh-six! At first, I was just running Retreat scenarios in my head, pleasant meanderings that were nice to dream about. Then my weary but overactive brain moved on to Retreat Nightmare scenarios: What if they find out I am really just a crappy knitter? What if I say or do something outrageously stupid, or what if -- horror of horrors -- they just don't like me?

I freely admit that in the wakeful wee hours of the morning I am apt to encounter my scared, insecure ten-year-old self, the Jane I have to step over every time I am in a new place, or I am unsure of my bearings. I would like to say that I laugh at her, at her little voice, those blue pointy glasses, at her wacky unruly hair...but in truth, she lives in my house and I love and respect her because she reminds me of how far I have come.

She's the uncomfortable-looking blonde one.

So what do I do? Get up and make the coffee. Decide that this scarf is not the delight I thought it was going to be. Think about something else (the Work Nightmare scenarios are always available, and they are more likely to be real). Get on with the day. At this point the sun is rising and the trees outside my window are beginning to glow. The heat is coming on, and I am about to get another cup of coffee. I am getting ready to go off to work, to another Tuesday filled with books. Tomorrow, though, I'll get ready to leave on my little trip. On Thursday I'll see V and visit my mother. On Friday I'll bring my Old Jane with me to Graves, but maybe I can convince her to wait in the car.