Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Knitting On Holiday

 This week we are on our autumn family holiday. I haven't done a whole lot of knitting as of yet. But last night I pulled out all these skeins and started winding them while watching Sherlock: The Riechenbach Fall. I got them all wound and today I cast on for Gayle Bunn's "Fair Isle Tam". I have been admiring this tam for a while now, dithering back and forth over which colors I could use, and slowly spinning up small amounts of fingering here and there as time allowed. I finally just decided to dive in, sometimes I over-think a project, trying to get it to be just so, and either it doesn't get started at all because I want it to be perfect, or I start second guessing my decisions. So I decided just to wind it all up and start knitting. I have a pretty good idea of what I want. I know the design will not be as defined as shown in the picture because I'm not using solids.
Nevertheless, I think it will be gorgeous. I love knitting with handspun yarn, and it has been quite awhile since I worked on a fair isle project. Winter is just around the corner and I am nowhere near ready for it. My handknit collection is woefully short of where I had hoped for it to be by this time. Of course many unexpected things arose late summer and early fall. The last of which was my Grandma moving in with us. It was quite sudden, and we only had a few weeks to decide where we were all going to be, then clean, sort pack and switch the whole house around. Grandma moved in this past weekend but I already had a previous commitment Thursday through Monday, so I had to be moved out of my old room and into the new by Wednesday. It was lots of hurry and flurry, and I was so glad to be done with my room and out on the road, driving the three hours to our friends home on Thursday afternoon. It was nice just to sit still for a bit!
We arrived back home on Monday, packed up and headed off on holiday. It has been a slow, quiet, restful week thus far. Despite the chilly weather and rain we are really enjoying ourselves, especially the slower pace and lack of pressing duties. This holiday arrived at the perfect time for us. Lord willing we will go home recharged and ready to get back into the swing of autumn busyness. 
I'll hopefully be back soon with some knitting to show you!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The best way to dry fiber...

 .......is on the line, in the sunshine and breeze!
 The view from my window. It was nice to see the fiber on the line and the fields in the distance. Even in the autumn there is such pretty prospect, so much scope for the imagination.

One of these new colorways is up in the SHOP already. Stop by and check it out if you have a chance!

Misty Autumn Morning



The other day I took a break from my cleaning to run outside and take some pictures. It was misty and the sun was just breaking through the clouds, it was just lovely. The boys and ladies were out in the damp, having breakfast. Most ignored my presence but Mounty watched me curiously. He has always been such an inquisitive little guy. I do have some sad news to share about the boys. But I shall save that for some other time.


There was still a gentle misting of rain lingering on the grasses and leaves. Most everything is dead, and trodden down with autumn rains, but these few grass heads were bobbing in the early morning light.



 But the sky was blue, showing promises of a warm, sunny day later on and as I was finishing my walk the sun came out and brightened up the grey morning.
Most of the leaves have fallen, but there was a lovely patch of yellow leaves in the front yard that were just calling my name. They were also a bit misted with rain, and blowing about in the breeze. But there was a few that held still so I could photograph them. Autumn is always so lovely to experience, so many different and unique colors. It is a blessing to be able to enjoy the beauty of the creation God has made.