Beer + Yarn = 2 New Projects

Apparently I'm a bit knitting repressed. I usually only have 3 wips (works in progress) going on at a time. Well, last night while watching From Prada to Nada and drinking a beer I felt the need to cast on for not one, but two new projects! The first is a prototype for a color work design. I thought it would be easier to figure out the sizing before going crazy with color. This will eventually be gifted to a buddy I've know for over a decade. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepard Worsted in the color way Zombie BBQ.

After knitting on the prototype for a bit, I went ahead and cast on for my Druid Mittens. I've been dying to make these for several years. I've had the yarn and pattern since 2010. It took me awhile to feel comfortable with size 0 needles. And even though I know I'll never get gauge, I have come up with a crazy brilliant solution. After realizing that taking stitches out of the pattern would not keep the mittens proportional, I have decided to knit them, then shrink them a bit in the dryer. Does this have the potential for catastrophically disappointing failure? Yes. Am I going to do it anyways? Yes. I figure if things go really wrong, I either have to find someone with bigger (or smaller depending on how this goes) hands to gift them to.

I did end up ripping out the toe of my Boromir sock and lengthen it. I still have the second sock to do. But the socks require the same needles that I'm doing the mittens on. I figured that it is sock weather longer than it is mitten weather, so these will be put on hold for a little bit.

And for those of you interested, Claire has released her Fellowship of the Socks ebook. Her designs are really pretty. Although the Boromirs are my favorite, I may have to make the Samwise and Gimli socks as well.

My Rocky Coast cardi is also coming along nicely. I finished up the body two nights ago while watching A Long Walk Home and One Crazy Summer.

Thanks again to my brother for the pictures. Though I'm not putting up the picture that he said made me look like a turtle. I kinda did look like a turtle.

I actually have 5 wips going on right now. There is still the pattern for my book that is being worked on. It should be good car knitting. And all going well, I'll be delivering the cardigan to my Oma tomorrow. She doesn't know this yet.

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

I thought that I would be able to show off my finished sweater today. This is not going to happen. Possibly for a really long time...
I finished blocking my sweater yesterday and was happy to pick up a zipper today. I felt pretty smug over choosing the made in USA rather than the made in China one. The lady at the counter asked if I needed black thread. "Not me. I have plenty."

By plenty, I actually meant none. After digging through all the sewing boxes in the house (We have four. I didn't know that before today.)

I found that I only have navy blue. I'm within walking distance of Hancock Fabrics, but I was pretty mad at myself, so I drove. Quickly. (but within the speed limit, of course) Got my thread, waited in an enormous line, drove straight home.

Only to find that my sewing machine has given up the ghost. That piece in my hand. That isn't even suppose to wiggle in the sewing machine. I've had the machine serviced regularly, but I think that plunking down $100 every time I need that machine has gotten to be a bit much.

I got a bit teary when relating the story to my Dad. I'm trying to finish a sweater, that as it turns out, doesn't stay on my shoulders very well. I hoped the zipper would help out. Usually my Dad's advice is something like, "wait on it" or "don't worry about it". This time his advice was, "Maybe you should have a beer."

It's five o' clock somewhere...

Lambtown

I made it to my first Lambtown this year. I had been signed up for a class by Rebecca Burgess, but it ended up being cancelled due to a lack of students. So I got into my second choice class, Intermediate Spinning taught by Keena Gold. There were 11 students. It was funny that four of us who were sitting together all had a Lendrum DT. It really is a great wheel.

I went into the class understanding a lot about spinning, but I sure learned much, much more, like long draw drafting. It was refered to as the beer draft. Why, you ask? Well, if you are good enough, you can draft the fiber with only one hand leaving the other hand free to hold a beer. Keena is an excellent instructor. If you ever have a chance, take a class from her. She is very clear and patient.

My apologies for not taking a more flattering picture. I was trying to take pictures and learn at the same time...

I perused around the different booths at Lambtown, but stopped at Debbi's booth, Twisted Sunshine. I love all her fiber. I always get a little something from her. Actually, to tell the truth, I visited the booth before and after my class. I had to stop myself from buying something on both visits. I ended up taking away some indigo dyed roving. (I think it's a silk/ wool blend, but I'm not entirely sure. It is yummy, though)

After my class, I met up with my buddy Bryn and circled around the fair. I had such a lovely time chatting with Bryn that I didn't take any more pictures at Lambtown. Whoops. I did get a picture of Bryn with her purchases, though. Two plants that, in her own words, "I can't possibly kill."

After Lambtown, I met up with Jim and Jackie and all of us had dinner together. Then there was the beer run. My favorite beer is by a microbrewery in Davis called Sudwerk. I've managed to find the Pilsner and Marzen nearby my house, but not the Hefe Weizen... of course! It gives me an excuse to go up to Davis to get it. I also got my favorite seasonal beer, Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale. I've tried a lot of pumpkin beers, but honestly, I think they all taste gross. Buffalo Bill's has the perfect balance of pumpkin and spice. I got the Shock Top Belgian White to share. I called it my couch rent.

Looks like I've got plenty of supplies to practice my beer draw.

The Wizard In The Middle Of Nowhere

Today Dad and I went to the Matakana Farmers' Market. It wasn't nearly as big as the one back home, but it was still quite nice.

I can't say I've ever seen beer for sale at the market back home.

We came away with two beers, one apple cider, and a canvas bag.

We poked around Matakana for a bit. I learned that the reason I haven't found a thrift store in New Zealand is because they are not called thrift stores. If ever you find yourself in New Zealand, look for the opportunity shops. I found a cute little dish for my bar soap.

We were rather hungry after seeing the farmers' market, but the cafes were all full (and a bit overpriced) in Matakana, so we continued on to Leigh.

We had a nice mocha, chocolate cake, and sandwich at the Swell Cafe.

We weren't ready to be done with our adventure, so we carried on. The road we ended up on seemed quite narrow. That was until we saw a sign that said, "Narrow Road Ahead." Dad said, "I though that this WAS narrow."

I spotted a sign that said Pakiri Beach, so we headed down bumpy road until we found this.

I don't think I've ever been on such a large, almost completely deserted beach. It went on forever.

The adventure was nearing a close. We were still in the middle of nowhere. And I do mean nowhere, when I saw this guy. Seems that a farmer had a good sense of humor, and perhaps a little too much time on his hands.

Beervana

Good-bye Wellington. I'll miss the regular cafe visits we had with Chris. Note the lovely hat Chris has. I made it in a night, special for him.

Hello Auckland. We are staying at a bed and breakfast. They have a moggy (cat) named Honey. She is as nice as she looks. Her favorite activity is slashing people and sitting in front of the heater.

We went out for a bit of shopping. Crisps (potato chips) were at the top of my list.

I also talked Dad into paying for some beer. So far we've had the Pirate beer (pretty good) and the Moa beer (also pretty good). Dad didn't like the Moa beer as much. He said it was too light. I prefer a beer that doesn't make you feel like you've eaten a loaf of bread after a sip.

Mmmm. Beervana.