Right Outside My LYS

You can see snow on the mountain top in the distance and a man on his boat in shorts. Yes, it is December here in Southern California. Crisp air, blue skies, palm trees and the view just steps from my local yarn shop's front door. Ah, paradise....yum.

bump (a neck warmer)

The wonderful yarn I was given at my SnB holiday party has already become my new favorite winter accessory. A neck warmer! And boy does it work. I had often thought a scarf was the only way to keep me warm but I was sorely mistaken. Just two balls of Merino have me toasty cozy. I have plans (and yarn) to make more of these snuggly treats, just for me. Here is the pattern so you too can chase the chill with a delicious neck confection. Yummy!


bump (a neck warmer)

You choose the yarn and circular needles...
CO a multiple of 3 onto your circular needles, PM.
Row 1 - Knit
Row 2 - Purl
Row 3 - Knit
Row 4 - Purl
Row 5 - K1 - YO - K2tog, continue to end of row.
Row 6 - K2 - YO - K2tog, *K1, YO, K2tog, continue from * to last 2 sts, knit these.
Rows 7, 8, 9, - Knit.
Repeat rows 5 through 9 until 1" from desired length ... then
Purl one row
Knit one row
Purl one row
Knit one row
BO, weave in ends and be warm!

My Fiber Tribe

This Wednesday evening past was my knitting groups first (and hopefully annual) holiday party. Replete with potluck to die for, secret Santa's and the honor of being surrounded by my amazing knitsibs. When we lived in small towns or villages we had women around us, older and younger women. Women who taught us and women who learned from us. Women to who we could turn when we needed advice and others to show us the way on this women's journey. I so often remark on how as we become embroiled in life it becomes more and more difficult to make new friends and find those women. I have found them, they are my tribe, the tribe of fiber. Huzzah! to all of you wonderful ladies.

I have a special thank you to my secret Santa Carol for my lovely gift of luscious merino....so beautifully served up in a sundae glass! I was so excited about the yarn that I took it all apart before photographing it. I felt bad about missing that photo op so I set up these, Yarn Portraits! Could this be a new niche market? I must say that this merino sat well for me and followed direction well. hhhmmmm.....a thought....yarn portraits...delicious.

Spiders Gift

Work had been a bear, preparing for our annual holiday show. Rehearsals, endless Christmas carols, students trying to hold it together and a stressed out staff. The week at home was rattling, shocking cell phone bills ( the boys no longer have the ability to text ) and (not so good) grade progress reports all hit at the same time. Then, one lovely gray and misty morning as I was leaving for work, I found this. An amazing ocean fog beaded spider web above my car. Ah, the Great Mother was speaking to me and I listened. Thank you little spider for bringing it all back into focus. Life is sweet, and I am grateful, eat it up.