My latest knitting project: Peacock Tail and Leaf Scarf from the book Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. Nancy Bush actually lives in Salt Lake City and owns Wooly West, an online knitting store. She also writes for Piecework magazine, most often on Eastern European knitting. The yarn is Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn (75% wool/25% nylon) in Gunsmoke. I also got size three bamboo needles. I thought afterward that I should have bought Addi Turbo circulars instead, but, hey, I can always use more hairsticks, right?I got these at a shop in the middle of absolutely nowhere. My sister Shiloh and I drove 20 miles the wrong way, then followed GPS directions to this little store, Fiber Fun Studio. It's actually in the basement of the owner's house, which always makes me leery. I usually avoid these kinds of stores; I always feel like I'm interrupting the owner's day, since they have to come out of the kitchen or wherever, and then they follow me around, through their home, and I feel obligated to buy something whether I want to or not. However, I was reassured but the fact that this shop had a clear basement entrance and a parking lot. The owner was very knowledgeable and helpful. My sister is a far more advanced knitter than I am, and the owner was able to speak with both of us on our level. There was a section for weaving also, but I don't know much about weaving--yet. Here is another fun thing I bought:
It's a fabric box. On the left, you can see it laid out--it's a 12" square. Basically two pieces of fabric sewn together, with Pellon fused in the middle. Five pieces: One large for the bottom, and four smaller for the sides. On the right, it's all assembled. Very fun! I'm thinking I'd like to try to make one of these myself.
We also went to Berlin, Ohio. Amish Country. I have been there several times and didn't anticipate buying anything, but at the quilt shop, GameBoy and I fell for these two pieces of fabric. On the right is a fabric printed with Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar. GameBoy just loved it, and wants to hang it in his room. I think what I will do is cut it into the three panels and tack it onto styrofoam or stretcher bars and make a tryptich wall hanging. And below is half a yard of a toile-like print. I just fell in love with it and decided I had to have some. I don't know yet what I will do with it.
Finally, the main events: The National Quilting Association's 40th Annual Quilt Show and Knitter's Mercantile Knitter's Connection Show were both held at the Columbus Convention Center while I was there. It was incredible fun! First we visited the quilt show, which was quite dizzying. Very much a swirl of color and people. I don't really quilt--yet--so I didn't buy too much there. Just a book on Celtic Tatting (basically tatting Celtic knots):
And these cute patterns for making quilt motifs (out of paper, fabric, ribbon, whatever) for cards or picture frames:
The picture doesn't really show what the craft is, so here is a link for cards and picture frames. I can't wait to try them.
Then, off to the knitting show! First, because Shiloh and I had paid a $10 membership fee, we each received a free gift bag, which contained the following:
On the left is the clear plastic tote bag with some books and a sample of cleaner, and on the left are the skeins of yarn that were in the bag.
The yarns include, silk, wool, and cotton and I am very excited to try them out..
And other purchases:
A silver shawl pin
A needle size pendant--I bought a similar for my sister, because she was very kind to house my family and me for a few days, as well as drive me around.
A felting kit to make a journal cover.
The pattern for the journal cover.
I'm heading back to Ohio in September for Wool Gathering at Young's Jersey Dairy, and I cannot wait!
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