Author: Sally

The New York Sheep and Wool Festival will host the only all-fiber event in the United States in honor of the United Nations International Year of International Fibres (IYNF).

See the story Fiber Lovers Invited to the International Tent at Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival

We have been working non-stop for the past year to bring nine speakers from around the world to share their unique fiber stories with the American market.

Please consider looking at keepthefleece.org and making a donation to help contribute to the Heifer International largest flock of animals too

I just had the most amazing day at Lambtown 2009 in Dixon California. They had moved the day from July to the first Saturday in October and what a good idea that was. The weather was cool in the early morning but warmed up to a pleasant temperature for all the visitors and of course the animals too. Actually in Madden Hall it was rather cool with the air conditioning on freezing I think for part of the morning. While the time of year was wonderful the organisers will have to remember to have hot beverages available from vendors if this is the permanent weekend. Shaved ice, beer and smoothies were not appetitising at 8am on an October morning. Perhaps a vendor with coffee and muffins could be invited next year.

Wild Fibers Magazine had a booth there for the first time, and so many people stopped by the booth and thanked us for having the magazine available for sale or to sign up for a subscription. It was a pleasure to introduce the magazine to new subscribers who had never seen the magazine before. And also to talk about the contents to many visitors who while not crafts people were interested to learn about all the natural fibers around the world that we must continue to use and support.

My friend Kathie stopped by the booth with a gift for me of a beginning instruction manual, roving and a drop spindle determined to teach me to spin. And low and behold I had a great conversation with a spinning teacher who lives very close to me in El Dorado Hills and she gives private lessons on her own spinning wheels. Now I am even more tempted to learn as I really have no excuses now.

It was quite a long day leaving home at about 7.15am and we got home around 9pm. But so great to meet such wonderful people so very enjoyable.

What with one thing and another I have not done much knitting this week let alone find the time to do an entry on my blog.

It was such a nice morning, especially at 7am when the temperature was about 65 F that I took Alan’s vest into the garden with a cup of tea for some rest and relaxation.

I completed the v neck shaping and again I decided to do the shaping two stitches in from the edge. I had done this on the back armhole shaping and it does look nice. I have just done the three needle bind off for the shoulders. This method  always gives such a nice finish and I did take care when binding off using a needle one size larger to prevent the bind off being too tight.

We have a number of things planned for the rest of the day including a Gourd Festival and a surprise 16th birthday party so the vest will go away til later. All I have left to do is pick to pick up the stitches around both the neck and the armholes. With luck it will get done before the weekend is over.

The forecast for the weekend here in Folsom and the surrounding area is about 100F BUT we could have a high as low as 74F by Wednesday of the coming week. Perhaps Fall is finally in the air in California!

Life has certainly been a little busy here recently. On Sunday I found out that a good girl friend in England is going to be a grand mother which is very exciting. I offered to make a baby blanket which they are very pleased about. And Monday morning bright and early I found a pattern in my stash however will have to purchase some yarn.  Of course I will also make some red cashmere booties as every new baby should have their toes dressed in luxury! And funnily enough I have some Royal Cashmere by Plymouth left over from a sweater I made myself last year.  And I also have a free with the Royal Cashmere yarn a pattern for baby booties….

I missed the lace guild meeting on Saturday as I was just too busy with things I needed to do around the house including the washing etc. We only meet once a month so the next meeting is the second Saturday in October.

I did however meet Kathie and Theresa on Sunday for lunch and knitting and made very good progress on Alan’s vest. I finally decided to knit 15 inches instead of 15 1/2 inches as the finished garment seemed awfully long.  Since then I have cast off for the armholes and put the front stitches on some spare yarn. I am now working on just the stitches for the back. Decided to alter the decreasing slightly on the armhole edge as the pattern said decrease at the beginning and end of every other row by ssk knit across and k2tog. I prefer the decreasing away from the edge as it makes for a nicer shaping and also makes picking up the stitches for the armband easier. So I am knitting 2 stitches then ssk knit to last four stitches k2tog and then knit the the last 2 stitches. Making the change hardly shows as the yarn is so dark, but I like the line it gives to the armhole decreasing as it is slightly smarter.