Life on Mud Lane

As I was tucking into bed last night, I first heard the wind and then the rain came.....in sheets. And I hoped that my otherwise fair-weathered flock of sheep would take cover and that the small puddles in the chicken coop would grow no bigger.  The thing about having an epic winter in Vermont, with an epic amount of snow is that you are surely in for an epic Mud Season. Let me tell you folks, there's mud everywhere----not just the obligatory ruts, holes, and dips that your car tires fall into on a dirt road. I'm talking mud that you sink into in the backyard........slippery mud that can be worse than ice causing you to do a header right into a pile of manure. Oh, and there's still a bit of ice around.....just to keep you guessing.

I drove my car through the car wash last week regardless. I just wanted to 'wash the winter away.' I knew, that in a matter of hours, the tires would be caked and the finish would be sporting a layer of brown dirt......I didn't care. It was almost like the first sign of Spring to me---the first car wash of the season!

As I arose this morning, already running late, hubby asked me to check Bentley's ears as he had been shaking his head intermittently all night long. Golden Retrievers, in my experience, struggle with ear fungal infections and Bentley is far from exempt. We have it down to a science---special wash to clean the ear and then drops. He's well-behaved about it, but he certainly doesn't enjoy it.  I gave him a cookie and let him out into the dampness which I'm sure is not helping his ear affliction. No doubt he will, along with is younger brother, bring some backyard mud into the house on his return.  My vacuum cleaner lives in the living room for now.

Before dashing out the door to work, I thought that I'd better peek in on the sheep. Out the back door and into the mud, I hurried down to the barn being careful not to get sucked into the abyss of water, sticks, and natural detritus littering the backyard.  We still have snow cover as we are in the woods and on a hill. I slowed down once I reached the barn because a sheet of ice covers the ground in front of the door and I don't want to end up on the other end of surgery. I stepped into the barn and reached for the light switch feeling triumphant that I had not fallen.  We have a Dutch door that separates the hay/grain/tools from the sheep and we usually keep the top part open.  All I heard was quiet......and then I looked......

No matter how many times I see it----whether humans or animals, new life causes me to stop in awe, take in a breath, and bask in the miracle and the wonder that it is. And it is just that.....

I love Mud Season................Namaste!

Spring happenings.......even if the weather doesn't cooperate!

I had every intention of getting this blog post out yesterday (on the last day of March), but it didn't happening for a number of reasons.  I won't bore you with those........instead, I think I will provide some updates.

Ravellenic Games Update

I love Ganseys Socks

I had a feeling that my project for the Ravellenic Games was a bit of a steep challenge and it turned out to be just that.  I did not even finish one of the socks by the closing ceremonies.  I managed to finish the second sock last week during a short trip to Florida to see my parents.  I am quite pleased with how they turned out.

The embossed hearts are kind of difficult to see in this picture, but they are my favorite accent on these socks.  Oh, and they fit---another good thing!

My next sock conquest will be to finish a pair that I started well over a year ago......yes, I know, shameful!  The pattern is from Fiber Trends and it's called Railroad Rib Socks.  I started this pair right after I learned how to knit socks using the Magic Loop Method from a great instructor at Baker's Yarns in Springfield, VT.  They carry Malabrigo Sock Yarn there and I know it's the owner's favorite.  I bought a skein and casted on for these socks right then and there in class...........then I brought them home and they languished like so many things that I start.  Well, time to finish!  Here's how far I am.

Railroad Rib Sock Cuffs

I have one tiny error in the right sock right at the beginning when I messed up the ribbing pattern.....can you spot it?  My instructor said to just carry on and that the yarn will pretty much obscure it.  I figure, that part of the sock is usually hidden by my pant leg so I let it be.  So, there's a method to my madness........I picked these back up again for another reason:  they are on my favorite needle.  I really like the cables on the Chiao Goo circular needles.  They are very flexible and I don't find myself fiddling and adjusting it so much---it just knows where to live and that's important when you are knitting Magic Loop.  I will probably make the leg part of these socks a little longer than the usual 6-7 inches because I like some extra material for coverage.

Remnants (what the shearer throws off) of Fleece

In other news.........the Spring thaw is on.........at least we hope it continues.  We've had quite some snowfall here since February and very cold temperatures.  We are kind of wintered-out.  Spring heralds the shearing of the sheep and I am glad to say that it went off without a hitch.  Here's the remnants of the fleeces:

I took the fleeces to the spinnery mill today and by June should have some sock weight and DK-weight yarn!  Shearing day is always a special day for me---it's the "harvest" of all the work that you did the rest of the year.

Pregnant Sayda

The shearer's visit yielded another piece of vital information....the confirmation that we do indeed have a pregnant ewe on the premises.  Sayda, our Bluefaced Leicester ewe is due any day now and we're keeping an eagle eye on her.  I'll be blogging about that for sure.........wow, two blog posts in a month?  Unheard of!  Here is Sayda in all of her shorn, pregnant glory.

It is difficult to tell from this angle how pregnant she really is, but she's not the easiest animal to photograph.

Well, I'm off to get some sleep now.  My vacation is over and I'm back to work tomorrow.  I'll leave you with a gratuitous pet photograph:

Bentley and Ray

Winter, Valentine's Day, and the 2014 Olympics

We received about 10 inches of snow yesterday which was a sight for sore eyes around here lately.  Looks like winter again instead of just feeling like winter.  It's been pretty cold around here, but we haven't had much snow, by Vermont standards.  I think the skiers are a much happier bunch today.
 

I finished my Merry Socksters socks on Groundhog Day----I really wanted to finish them within the month of January, but I'm proud that I got them done.  The colorway really gets your attention and I'm wearing them right now.  I made these on one long circular needle (40 inches) using the Magic Loop Method of construction (two-at-a-time).  I did this because I am notorious for getting the knitting done for one sock on double-pointed needles and then not even starting the second sock----in the Knitting World they call this "Second-Sock Syndrome" and I think it just results from not wanting to do the same thing twice.  Rarely have I ever knitted any project a second time----it's like the novelty is gone or it's like the saying:  "Been there, done that, got the t-shirt." Anyway, I think that this was a good start for the Year of the Sock.

For my next act I thought that I would work a couple of themes.  February is upon us and one always thinks of Valentine's Day during this time (perhaps President's Day as well, but I'm going to go with the former). Valentine's Day holds a special place in my heart and not because it's a day of love, proposals, romantic dinners, and roses.  My brother was born on Valentine's Day when I was a mere 4 year-old. Red tends to be the dominating color for Valentine's Day and it's always been my favorite color.  So, to rock this first theme, I'm going to knit a pair of red socks with yarn that I received from Dirty Water Dyeworks.  The yarn is 75% Superwash Corriedale/25% Nylon fingering weight (434 yards) which makes it perfect for a pair of socks. The color is "Flame."  The pattern I chose is I Love Gansey by Janine LeCras which is featured in the book Sock Club:  Join the Knitting Adventure by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott.  Above is an image of the socks that I pilfered from Ravelry. What the image does not show is a line of embossed hearts running down the front and back of the leg----a GREAT Valentine-themed sock!!

The other theme that will predominate whilst I knit these socks is the Winter Olympic Games.  I've been watching the Olympics all my life and this time will be no different.  My favorite sport to watch is the Figure Skating, but I've been known to hold my breath during the Downhill Skiing as well.  Ravelry gets into the Olympics as well by sponsoring the Ravellenic Games. Briefly, the Ravellenic Games is a self-imposed throw-down whereby you challenge yourself by starting and finishing one or more projects during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.  So, in theory, you cast on your project during the Opening Ceremonies and finish during the Closing Ceremonies.  Here's the kicker:  the Olympics start tonight (February 6).....the Opening Ceremonies are tomorrow.  I don't think it's cheating to start tonight since I'll be most certainly watching the Figure Skating which is on tonight! Eighteen days to knit a pair of socks?  Can I do it?  Remains to be seen.....

Happy Valentine's Day!

2014-The Year of the Sock

Merry Socksters

I've been collecting sock yarn for a long time now.....I don't quite know what my obsession is with it. Perhaps it's all the pretty colors that attract me.....or the fact that socks are a relatively small time-commitment project.  All those self-striping colors are the most enticing; you just want to keep knitting to see what color or pattern comes next!  Maybe I just fancy having some unusual, tricked-out socks on my feet some day. And therein lies the kicker (no pun intended)......where ARE all these socks that I imagine wearing? Not knitted that's for sure.....these wonderful sock yarns sit in a box, bag, or basket just languishing away.....waiting to become something spectacular; waiting to be free!

Sock knitting is adventurous....not something I would teach a beginner. And yet, this is the very first project my mother had to knit as a girl in wartime Germany just shortly after she learned how to knit---socks for the troops. My mom still knits socks---it's her go-to knitting and she's good at it--no pattern required! I, on the other hand, being of the variety who cherishes the written word, need directions. I like to see progress; check off a line or stitch count; see a picture of what the end-product is supposed to look like. I enjoy knitting a sock---there is a lot going on in this small, unassuming little accessory and yet, the sock yarn still piles up.....

For the longest time I suffered from SSS---known to us in the knitting world as Second Sock Syndrome. You get one sock done and the second one never gets cast on let alone completed. Cue the magic loop method---knitting two socks at the same time on one long circular needle---genius! Books have been written about this method and I actually learned the ins and outs of this technique in a class I took at Baker's Yarns in Springfield, VT. AND.....I completed a pair of socks in that class last winter. And the sock yarn stash still sits....

So a new year is upon us and with that comes the contemplation of what one wants to do differently/better. This year, I want to keep it simple----I want to personally declare 2014 The Year of the Sock. I want to dig out all those socks I started but didn't finish and well, finish them. I want to use up some of that sock yarn stash. I want to make as many PAIRS of socks as I can without getting distracted by some other project----the siren song of my existence. I can do this, right? This is not an insurmountable goal, is it? Well, I don't think so....right now.....

Okay, so here's the really embarrassing part----the first pair of socks that I want to complete for 2014 were started in March.......of 2011!! Yeah.....I dug these out two days ago on 01-01-2014 not because of my "Year of the Sock" declaration, but because the color way was, once again, calling my name from its cellophane bag enclosure. This project is leftover from the year I joined the Rockin' Sock Club of Blue Moon Fiber Arts fame. The pattern is called "Merry Socksters" by Irishgirlieknits and it's available on Ravelry. The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock lightweight superwash merino in the color way Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.  I'm in love with this dye job---so much so that I thought it would look good in a vest......maybe in another life.

So, as the picture above illustrates, I am still knitting the cuffs of the socks, but this is progress!  Trust me......there's a picot edge-turned under hem at the beginning of these babies---so there is more knitting than the eye can see!  Updated pics, I hope, will be forthcoming.

On another note, we've been having some snow as well as some very cold temperatures here in New England. Cooper, our young Golden Retriever, loves the woodstove on days like this......

Gratuitous pet photo

Stress and the power of crafting

Last week was stress-filled. One could argue, given the profession that I practice, that every day is stress-filled. True, I've gotten used to a higher-than-average baseline blood cortisol level---par for the course for any healthcare worker. While the day-to-day nature of the job has become 'just what I do,' interpersonally butting up against one's co-workers is something I don't go out of my way to do. But, it happened, I said something that I felt needed to be said in what I thought was a professional manner and it blew up big time.

So, more than a week out from that, I'm still not quite right. Mentally, the strain has almost dissipated, but my physical well-being suffers for a long time after such incidents. You see, I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and stress can really do a number on that condition, enough said. It's at these times in my life that I turn, in a desperate way, to the calming force of making things with my hands. Now, let me just say that if there is a day that goes by that I don't get to do a little something crafty, I do get cranky, but that's a whole other thing. What I'm talking about here is a psychic immersion---to quiet the mind, body, and spirit----similar to that "Calgone, take me away" commercial.

About two weeks ago, I received via mail, the first installment of Yarn Knot---a "yarn tasting" of sorts available from Dirty Water Dyeworks (this proprietor had me at hello). So what exactly is Yarn Knot? It's a quarterly subscription to a variety of hand-dyed yarn blends in exclusive color ways complete with a suggested pattern. So, this first installment (which is like getting a package for your birthday!!) contained a luscious skein of 50/50 Merino/Silk blend fingering weight yarn in hues of blue----yum, I'm in love........oh, yes and the pattern is for a lovely lace shawl called the Dover Castle Shawl by Judy Marples. Now I've never been an honest-to-goodness girlie girl, so lace has never really made it that far into my wardrobe. I have to say that I'm totally smitten with this lace pattern---it's got a nice rhythm to it---not so difficult that you have to have your eyes glued to the chart every second, but engrossing enough to let you escape from the real world.

Here's the best part....the colorway is named Adrift!!  Kind of how the mind feels when it's under stress, but also, ironically, that place you want to go to when all hell is breaking loose. 

I'm sure that I will eventually give this shawl to some happy, lucky recipient because, like I said, I really don't "do lace." The process of knitting it will be a gift to me.

Grabbing hold

Hello friends & folks:
Long time, no hear from me---so I realize......and for those of you who were tuning into my podcast.......even more silence. So, here's the thing, I have placed the podcast on indefinite hiatus.......I know, so unfortunate for all of us, but my schedule just wouldn't allow for it---and if there's one thing that middle age has taught and shown me again and again it's that it is wise to know one's limitations. I work 32 hours a week outside my home, I have a small farm of animals and now a vegetable garden that need tending.......not to mention my voracious appetite for ANY craft that involves wool/fiber! Add in that I've become a gym rat and you don't have too many hours left in the day to turn on a microphone. Aside from all of these excuses, my prowess has always been the written word so to that end, I am devoting my energy to blogging not only about what I've covered before, but also other topics----which normally would be yammer.....but I might, in the future, devote a whole post to a particular topic. So come join the adventure.......

Fiber Conquests

Onward......so, whilst catching up on other folks' podcasts today, I came to the shock and realization that today, June 29th, is the first day of the Tour de Fleece.  The Tour de Fleece is a Ravelry-based spinning (yarn, not the thing you do at the gym) challenge where we spinners set a goal for ourselves (say, I'm going to spin enough yarn for a pair of mittens) and then try to meet that goal during the same time frame as the Tour de France......spinning of bicycle tires, spinning of spinning wheels, get it? Needless to say, I have failed miserably at this in years past mostly because my goal was simply out of reach. Read, Overachiever. This year, I'm going to start with a specified quantity of prepared roving in a vibrant color way which I purchased some time ago---at the Knitting & Crochet Show nearly a year ago (don't laugh, I have fiber that's way older than this). I've always wanted to  spin something from Abstract Fibers and so, here's my chance and I think this will hopefully,       fire up my passion for spinning again......

At least for now, it's something to grab hold of!

Episode 22 - January Thaw

Apologies for not getting the shownotes up for the last podcast..........I really, really did have them all typed up on my iPad and I totally lost the whole thing somehow.  And since time was of the essence, and it had already taken me two days to record the podcast, I just threw up my hands in disgust----I really will do better!  For one thing, I don't think I'll be using my laptop for recording or my iPad for blogging any longer---so long as the threat of losing material is so very real on those devices!

This past weekend it was over 40 degrees outside---our January Thaw here in Vermont.  I took Bentley and Cooper for a walk and we slogged through the slush---they didn't seem to mind.  They just like being out in the snow.  A little change up in the podcast----I'll be putting "Sleeping on the Job" on a temporary hiatus and replacing it, for now, with----dare I say it?----a Knit-Along (KAL--for those of you who enjoy acronyms).  More about the KAL later........

Fiber Conquests

Knitting

I'm still working on the Sebastian Gloves by Kristin Nicholas (A Classic Elite pattern booklet---and I believe you can buy just the pattern PDF for the gloves-$6.00- at WEBS)  If you look at the picture, I'm making the mostly pink-colored ones---but I do have yarn for the others.  The yarn, of course, is Color by Kristin and it has 50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% mohair. Nice stuff---but I'd expect no less from a designer such as Kristin Nicholas.

I took a class a one of my LYSs:  The Whippletree in Woodstock, VT.  We made the Stained Glass Hat, a Green Mountain Spinnery pattern.  I used a solid color yarn (brown) for the background and a self-striping yarn from Poems for the "windows."  The class was fun and our instructor Karen was kind and patient---always very good qualities in a teacher.  This class gave me the confidence (and the practice of holding a yarn in each hand) to pursue the construction of one of my UFOs (un-finished objects) which has been languishing and hibernating for two years:  the Norwegian Roses Cardigan from GMS.  I had to frog what I already had knitted (which was only two inches or so..........but frogging colorwork can be a bear!) because my gauge was off and now that I'm using a new technique for the colorwork, of course, my gauge is going to be different.  I really enjoy doing colorwork---takes my mind into a deep place where time stands still for just a little while......................do you know what I mean?  So, off I go....

Crochet

So much to crochet, so little time..........contemplating starting yet another project in crochet...........can you say 'Start-itis?'  The Crochet Circle Vest first caught my eye on the Craftsy website whilst I was purchasing yet a few more on-line classes!!  More about that, hopefully, later down the line.  I'm thinking that I'll crochet this in some of the millspun yarn from the flock---namely the rich, dark, worsted-weight yarn from the fleeces of Dugel and Harvey.  I had quite a bit of a ball left over from knitting up the fingerless mitts for my brother----you can't let stuff like that go to waste now!  Anyway, I went on over to Ravelry and low and behold, the pattern was there as well---so I bought and downloaded that puppy straight away.  More on that later.........

Spinning

The long, loving process of processing Harvey's fleece for spinning continues---I am, more or less, chipping away at it ever so slowly whenever I have a few minutes to flick-card.

What's happening in the barn and on the farm?

We are happily anticipating the arrival of Tasmania ("Tassie")---our bred BFL ewe from the state of Massachusetts.  She will be arriving on Saturday, January 19.  She'll join Sayda in sisterhood and I have no doubt that they will get along famously---BFLs are such a kind, gentle sort---unlike my Shetlands who tend to want to 'redecorate' the barn come February-March.  And, come April, hopefully, we'll have a lamb or two to boot!

The chickens are thriving---we get about 2 eggs a day.  The DH set up a light with a timer in their coop to give them a "longer" day in hopes that this will stimulate egg production/laying.  My two French Angora rabbits share half of the annex with the chickens so hopefully, that light is not keeping them up at night! :-)

Cooper after a long walk

Bentley and Cooper are loving the snow of winter and hopefully, it won't all be gone with this spring-like weather we've been having for the past couple of days.  Cooper is in full-blown adolescence and will 'pick and choose' to listen from time to time.  I feel blessed though that Puppy Kindergarten and Level I dog classes have been effective because he comes when called, and, like the instructor said, this is the most important thing that you can teach a dog to do.

Ray continues his hunter duties in the house---Doora chooses to nap frequently and chase Ray when she has the energy.  Our backyard bird feeder is a busy place---we enjoy watching the birds and know that we need to get our "fill" now before the feeders need to come down when the bears come out.

Yammer

For lack of a better place and because I don't yet know what to call the segment for our KAL, I'm putting this in the Yammer for now.  Yes, Counting Sheep is having a Knit-Along (it's first---the maiden voyage!).  The pattern is the Capricloak by designer Maureen Clark.  This is a Green Mountain Spinnery pattern and it can be found for purchase (via instant PDF download or snail-mail) at their website.
The pattern requires approximately 784 yards of a bulky weight yarn.  I'll be using GMS's Capricorn yarn in the Natural Dark.  Looks like a nice, cozy project for the winter.  We'll start it on February 3rd and that will give everyone about 3 weeks to gather materials.  Should knit up fast at 3 stitches per inch.  Come and join us!

Episode 20 - Snow & Such

Hello everyone!
Had some snow that covered the ground this past week, but the temps warmed up and we received some rain, so guess where that went?  Here's hoping for some more white stuff.

Fiber Conquests

Knitting:

The Mystery Cowl KAL is done.  The cowl now has a name:  The Sartorial Cowl.  The word "sartorial" means 'of or relating to a tailor.'  My cowl is blocking---I'll be adding buttons when it's dry.

I'll be starting a couple of pairs of fingerless mitts for some of the men in my family for holiday gifts.  The pattern is from Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein.  The book gives multiple gauges for the projects which is extremely helpful when trying to use up stash yarn or whatever is on hand at any given time.  I'm going to be using my own mill-spun yarn for these projects:  a warm dark grey yarn from Harvey's and Dugel's fleeces.

Crochet:

Work on the Fine Feathered Cloche by Linda Cyr continues (Clever Crocheted Accessories by Brett Bara). 

I'll be starting another hat from this same book (another gift, most likely):  The Sedimentary Hat by KJ Hay.  This hat uses two colors---the main color will be, again, the warm dark grey yarn from my sheep and a cream-colored yarn from Maple's fleece.

No news in spinning or other crafting as these have taken a back seat to the holiday rush gifts!

What's happening on the farm and in the barn?

Well, we had a yearly vet visit this week.  The sheep received all their shots (vaccinations) and they were checked over.  Bentley, our Golden Retriever, also had an exam and some blood drawn to check for parasites---he was good as gold (no pun intended!)

Seymour is in good health and will be off to visit 4 other BFL lady sheep on another farm this Saturday.  The farm is owned by a friend and I made her no promises about his verility.

The DH and I had to take a hacksaw to Harvey's wayward horns after the vet left.  His horns grow straight into his head unless we chip away at them every now and again.  He is, certainly, my most genetically-mutant sheep amongst the bunch---but he is our first and only (so far) lamb born on the farm and so, he's kind of special to us.........his fleece is beautiful too---and when you're a spinner, that's a good reason to keep on keeping on.....

Chickens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! have arrived!  Oh, it's so good to have chickens back on the farm again.  We have four---all different breeds:  Golden Comet, Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, and Bard Rock.  Can't wait for the fresh eggs again---yahoo!

Our wild birds have been coming to the feeder (which I just re-hung for the year) in droves.  We have mostly chickadees and grey jays---it's great to watch them though.  We had to move the feeder already because Cooper was chowing down on the feed that was dumped on the ground---makes for a very high fiber diet for a dog.

Sleeping on the Job:  Cognitive changes due to anesthesia

The studies that are out there right now are inconclusive---in other words, is this phenomenon caused by anesthesia, surgery, inflammation, or a combination of these three.  A lot of times, the cognitive changes are already there and anesthesia serves to "unmask" what a person has successfully been able to hide or compensate for.  So, it may be what the patient brings to the table as this type of phenomenon is most common in the elderly.  Sometimes, just some soothing words are enough to calm a patient who is experiencing emergence delirium.

Yammer:

Folks, remember, we are having a giveaway for the month of December.  On New Year's eve, I will be choosing one lucky listener to receive Cast On Bind Off:  211 Ways to Begin and End Your Knitting by Cap Sease.  All you have to do is go on over to the Counting Sheep Podcast Group on Ravelry (please join us!) and leave a comment on the thread---tell be what your favorite cast on and/or bind off is.  We've already had some great comments---thanks!

Geo-Georgie comes to visit

Cooper with Geo-Georgie

I was given the opportunity to participate in a 2nd-grader's homework assignment and I had a blast.  The 2nd-grader is Daniel, the son of a dear friend in NJ.  Geo-Georgie is a cartoon turtle colored by Daniel----I took Georgie on a picture-tour of some sites in Windsor and on the farm and picked up some old photographs in town to send back to NJ with him.




So that's all for this week...........take care!

Episode 19 - A Renaissance

A rebirth of sorts............my hiatus from the podcast has lasted way too long:  late spring, all of summer, and most of fall.  The podcast has been "reborn," but with the same segments; new material.  Thanks to everyone for sticking by me and waiting for another episode to pop up!  Episode 19 had a rocky start with my recording the intro 5 times before 'getting it right.'  I'm using a different microphone (the built-in one rather than the headset).  Let me know if the sound quality is better, worse or just the same!  So, let's get on with it, shall we?

Fiber Conquests

In knitting:  I am actually participating in a KAL!!  Woo-hoo!  Well, I've tried this before---I had a lack-luster showing during the Ravelenic Games where I foolishly thought that my break-neck schedule would allow me to finish a simple knitted vest in two weeks during the summer!  The joke was on ME. 

The KAL I'm in right now is hosted by Star Athena (on Ravelry) and it is called the Mystery Cowl KAL.  It's pretty simple:  I ordered the recommended yarn from Blue Moon---it's a bulky weight Merino yarn called De-vine, but I suppose you could use any bulky weight yarn.  I think the colorways offered by Blue Moon really make this project shine.  My colorway is Currier & Ives, which I wasn't fond of so much in the skein, but the cowl is looking really good.  Can't post any pictures yet as it is a mystery after all----will post the finished cowl when it's done which should be this week.  The KAL consists of 3 clues;  one released per week on Tuesdays.  The last clue is due this Tuesday!  It's been fun to see this develop! This cowl will most likely be a Christmas gift for someone in my family.

If you'd like to participate, here's the link for the KAL info:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mystery-cowl-kal

Small sock started in class

In other knitting news:  I took a class with Beth Brown-Reinsel at WEBS as part of my Expert Knitter's Certification Program.  The class was Twined  which is a Swedish knitting technique whereby two strands of the same color yarn are twined around each other, and creates a warmer, denser fabric than conventional stranded knitting. So cool!  In class, we started and worked on a very small sock to learn the technique-----but there is no way this sock is going to fit me and I'm all about utility, so I bought Beth's Twined Knitted Socks pattern that she designed herself.

Beth is a lovely lady and a wonderful teacher with the patience of a saint.  I pondered to her out loud about designing a Twined-knitted sweater for my Capstone Project----she was so gracious and offered to be a consultant for me!  Beth lives right here in Vermont----she's 'just down the road' from me..................maybe, if I get crazy enough to hold a Counting Sheep Podcast Retreat someday, I can convince her to teach at it.................mmmmmmmmm.......in the meantime, find her info here: www.knittingtraditions.com

Crochet Corner:

So the gauntlet has been thrown down at work for a hat contest at this year's Holiday party for our anesthesia department.  No men need apply------------because they are having their own contest which involves facial hair. 

The start of my cloche

Of course, I cannot BUY a hat to wear, I have to make one right?  I'm crocheting the Fine Feathered Cloche by Linda Cyr out of Clever Crocheted Accessories.  The book is full of do-in-a-weekend projects and there's not a dud in the book.  I'm loving the stitch detail on the cloche which is finished off with grosgrain ribbon and some sort of floral pick of choice---mine might be holly berries or some such thing.........I'm using Lamb's Pride Worsted in Seafoam.

Spinning!!
Well most of you know about my great intentions of joining the Knitmore Girls' SPAKAL---what an Epic fail on my part.  Work on Harvey's fleece has stalled because it's far easier to travel with my drop spindle in tow which already has another project on it.  The roving on my drop spindle is so old---I'm not even sure if I dyed this roving or if I bought it (how pathetic is that?!?)
BUT, it's almost all spun up and it's destination you ask?  It will stay as a single and I intend to crochet the Boho Blocks Cardigan by Valentina Devine from Interweave Crochet Magazine Fall 2006.

In Crochet Shirret:
Had LOTS of interest in the Shirret at the shows---I demo the technique and display some of the things I've made.  I'm brainstorming big time about writing up some of these patterns so stay tuned for more of that----------I'm lucky to have my own personal photographer (the DH) on hand to help with the self-publishing!

And FINALLY:
I am learning Rigid Heddle Weaving via an on-line class through Craftsy.  Not to worry, this is not going to turn into a podcast about weaving---just trying to burn through some stash quickly.  I mention this only because I want to encourage you to visit the Crafsy website and take a look at what they offer in terms of learning new crafting techniques.  I'm really enjoying this platform---it allows you to view the video, pause it wherever you like, rewind it, view it again, bookmark it, and take notes right on screen.  In addition, you can e-mail the instructor with any questions you have and posting pictures of your finished projects is highly encouraged.  I was firmly convinced that weaving was not for me after two different several-week classes on basic weaving.  What I found is that I needed some individual attention/instruction in order to learn to weave (I guess it's just how I'm wired) and thankfully, Craftsy has provided such instruction.  Really, I'm not a paid spokesperson for Craftsy (although I wish I were! ;-), I just love this learning platform---I've even learned how to make cheese----and I'm now a cheese monster!  So go on over and check it out!  If you hurry, all classes are $19.99 until midnight 11/26!

What's happening on the farm?  In the barn?

Cooper is what's happening!! Our new, bouncing, springing, Golden Retriever puppy arrived early July.  He settled in well and graduated from both Puppy-K and Level I Obedience.  We had great intentions of going onto Level II Obedience and then taking a test to see if we'd be a good therapy dog but alas, the classes turned out to be more exhausting to me than they were to Cooper.  Cooper had fun with all his dog friends at class and now has bonded well with Bentley (who at first, was a bit indifferent to his presence).

Sheep:  No new babies at all---which begs the question:  is Seymour interested in anybody but himself?  We fought the good battle this summer trying to rotate the sheep on pasture so that they had enough to eat---the drought was challenging.  They are eating hay now and are pretty happy I'm sure that they don't have to go "searching" for suitable grass for a while.  The vet comes for a farm visit this Thursday to give shots and to make sure everyone is healthy---it's our once-a-year visit.

On a sad note, we've lost all of our chickens to a very hungry, very tenacious raccoon.  We had started to free-range our chickens in the spring so that they could get out on the lawn to eat bugs and do their chicken thing.  I guess the raccoon caught wind of this and it was one disaster after another with the last three chickens being carried off in October.  We are planning on reinforcing the housing with cinder blocks dug deep----should resemble Fort Knox when the DH gets done with it.  We'll try again in the spring with starter pullets---looks like we can get chickens from the supplier as early as March---that will be nice since I am now totally addicted to farm-fresh eggs!

In gardening news, the garden has been put to bed for the fall.  It didn't really do well this year for two reasons:  the drought and my lack of keeping up with watering and the lack of rototilling in the spring.  So, we did a "lasagna" compost this fall.  We layered newspaper, chopped up leaves, and then compost on the garden.  We're hoping that this rejuvenates the soil and gives us some good crops next year.

Sleeping on the Job

Being supportive is such a simple concept and yet it alludes us sometimes.  It can simply be, listening, not offering any advice, just being there for another colleague or individual at work.  I have, in my not-so-distant past, been in management.  Management, as a career, and I do not see eye-to-eye.  Perhaps it's my German upbringing, but I don't have a great deal of tolerance for having to tell any of my colleagues how to do their job----I just assume that if you are a professional, you should know your job.  So, now as an employee again---a nurse anesthetist whose job is to give anesthesia without managing other colleagues---I can see both sides of the coin.  I am sympathetic to the trials and tribulations of managing and I understand the daily 'trenchwork' which, quite frankly, isn't too bad at all.  Anyway, I find myself, more than ever, being supportive to those who have the onorous job of managing others.


Yammer
Book review:  Cast On, Bind OFF:  211 Ways to Begin and End Your Knitting by Cap Sease.  Published by Martingale 2012.  160 pages.  Retails for $27.99.  Two thumbs up for this book.  I like the idea of having so many options when it comes to starting and ending.  The author has provided great illustrations (for us visual learners) as well as text (for those of us who excell at following  the written word).  Also, the purpose of each cast-on and bind-off is explained---that is to say, should you want a more structured vs. a more stretchy effect.  I love some of the names given to the various techniques; some are named after the people who invented them.  The index is a great resource if you need to reference one of these techniques quickly. The book is spiral-bound which is a great feature since the book will open flat on a surface and tuck away nicely into a bag.

We are having a give-away of one copy of this book to a lucky listener.  In order to enter, please go over to the Counting Sheep Podcast group in Ravelry and leave a reply on the thread:  "What is your favorite cast-on and/or bind-off?"  On New Year's Eve, I will use a random number generator to select the winner of this book.

Hurricane Sandy:
This storm hit the mid-Atlantic area hard including New Jersey, my state of origin.  I spent many a summer day at the Jersey shore and many of the photos I've viewed on the news in the current weeks have been heart wrenching.  My heart goes out those affected by the storm.  My parents and my sister and her family reside inland and thankfully, are safe.  They had some downed trees as well as long power outages, but it all pales in comparison to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.  Like Vermont with Irene, I know those folks will prevail---keep the faith my friends!

Episode 16 - Comittment

Just a few days left to leave a response to our "Name the Sheep" contest! Contest ends midnight on February 29 and I will be drawing a name (via random-number generator) on March 1st and podcasting that day! Shocked? So am I! The winner receives a sweater's worth of our own yarn---hand-grown here on the farm---from our Shetland Sheep. The yarn is worsted weight and you have a choice of color---creamy white or brown-grey (I've been corrected on this color!) Here's a pic of the two colors:

You can leave your entry here by commenting on the blog or on Ravelry under the thread in the Counting Sheep podcast group. Good luck!

Fiber Conquests

Knitting:
Sizzlin' Hot Hat continues to be stalled.......I really do love doing this colorwork, but have been trying to meet other fiber-related deadlines. The ribbing for this hat is 2- 1/2 inches and once I get past that, I can add my own creativity with fish! Stay tuned for future developments!

What HAVE I completed? The Citron Shawlette!! YAAY! This item is the January project of the "Christmas Club" I joined up with at my LYS. February's project is the Jabberwock Scarf and I've bought the yarn: Cascade Lana Bambu (79% wool, 21% viscose from bamboo) Color #2. Pattern is a free Ravelry download. I actually started this after podcasting and have some pictures---you'll see that there is a different, unique pattern on each side.

Another project I completed is the Slip Stitch Baby Blanket that I was making for a baby shower. Made the deadline on this one by the skin of my teeth. The gift was well-received by the mom-to-be. Pattern is from 60 Quick Baby Knits.

Work on the Eco Vest has stalled as well & that's because of my enrollment in WEB's Expert Knitter's Certification Program (yes, CRAZY, I know........welcome to my world!) The program consists of a curriculum of 15 core courses with 3 elective courses. Toward the end, you design your own sweater as a capstone project. This semester, I'm taking a course called: Top-Down Raglan Sweater from Measurements. The course text is Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker which is back in print. My top-down raglan is going to be a cardigan and I'm using yarn from my stash: Cascade 220 in a lilac color (#9541)---a total departure for me!

In Crochet:
The Dusty Snowflake Throw progress has stalled as well, but, hey, I'm only human right?

I promised in the last episode to get going on some kind of crocheted garment. Well, I found one: The Swain Sweater from the Winter 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet. The design is by Megan Granholm and the technique is tunisian. Hook size is L or 11 (metric size: 8mm). The yarn is unique and probably not readily available anymore (I went stash-diving big-time on this one). Let me explain: Many moons ago when all the trouble was going on in the Balkans, the Green Mountain Spinnery teamed up with an organization called "Rainbow Socks." The "Rainbow Socks" project offered hope and income to refugee women from the Balkans through the sale of their handicrafts in the U.S. GMS produced a yarn called "For Kosovo" as a commemorative and I am the proud owner of several skeins of this yarn. I'm glad that this special yarn finally told me what it wanted to be. Ray couldn't resist being part of the picture for this one:

In spinning: Drop spinning some Cormo fiber I picked up at the New England Fiber Festival this past fall.

What's happening in the Barn and on the Farm?
Fergus antics
Due date for Sayda???
Haircut for Bentley
Hershey & Midnight have a Valentine's date
Chickens continue to be productive

Sleeping on the Job
Comittment to oneself----my comittments are yoga and walking everyday!! What are yours?

Yammer: Our Knitting Community
Until next time............

Wintry Mix

These show notes are a couple of days late......sorry folks---had an podcast upload glitch with one of my browsers and that took me two days to hash out. Took me another couple of days to get all the pictures taken..........as I've said before, sometimes I just can't get out of my own way!

Thank-you everyone who has participated thus far in our very first contest!! I'm just loving all the names that you have come up with for our newest little fellow here on the farm. Your support means so much!!

Fiber Conquests
In knitting:
My Wintry Mix Sweater designed by Amy Herzog is done and I am lovin' it!! Done up in Berroco Blackstone Tweed colorway "Steamers." Fits well, and it was a joy to knit---although I miscalculated how much time it would take to knit up the collar---the collar truly makes the sweater.....I'm sure you'll agree!

My second Sizzlin' Hot Hat designed by Lucy Neatby is going at a glacial pace as I've been distracted by other projects which have a deadline as you will see....

I've joined a 'Christmas Club' for knitters. The concept is simple----knit one project a month and stow it away to give to those lucky someones for Christmas 2012. Hoping this will fare better than the Rockin' Sock Club did last year (update: have YET to finish a pair of socks from the Rockin' Sock Club--even though there were only 6 pairs to knit for the year! Shameful!). Anyhoo, the January (ergo, the first) project is the Citron Shawlette designed by Hilary Smith Callis. I've been woefully late-to-the-party on this one because it basically went viral on Ravelry soon after its release on Knitty in 2009. What can I say? I'm not a big shawl person---inhabitants of New England tend to gravitate towards sweater-knitting. I must say though that it's been a good knit---using some cool laceweight merino by Ella Rae---AND it looks like I might just get it done by the deadline!! Fingers crossed! Wish me luck!

Have been searching around for a project to use my very limited supply of mill spun 'Fergus' yarn on. Fergus is our brown Shetland wether (neutered) sheep---it's a very lovely shade of brown and I thought I deserved something made from it since he's not the easiest animal to keep----recall the 'Fergus' damage that my DH has to repair on the barn every spring when Fergus decides he's had enough of winter and repeatedly bashes his head into the walls of the barn. You have to wonder what goes through their minds.............I digress.......the project, oh yes---I decided upon the Eco Vest by Katie Himmelberg which is in the book Knitting Green. The pattern came to me via a free e-book download from Knitting Daily which is a daily e-newsletter put out by the folks at Interweave Press---I think I subscribe to 4 of their magazines altogether. Anyway, the Eco Vest is a great knit---4 row pattern repeat which is easy to memorize and this is going to be one cozy vest---pattern calls for Size 10.5 needles, but I've gone down two sizes as usual as I'm always the loosey-goosey knitter.

I've been invited to a baby shower for a fellow co-worker who started with me back in 2008. I was in quite a quandary over what to make when I heard that she loves handmade things. Lucky for me, my LYS, White River Yarns, helped me out. Went in last Saturday an purchased enough Cascade 220 Superwash yarn in the appropriate colors to make the Slip Stitch Blanket featured as project #59 in 60 Quick Baby Knits (a review of the book is in the Yammer section of this episode of the podcast). Loving this project and REALLY crossing my fingers about getting it done on time---shower is February 8th!!

In Crochet:
Made some progress on my Dusty Snowflake Throw---added another row of snowflake motifs to the throw with some speed bumps along the way. This is a join-as-you-go throw and I don't have a lot of experience (read: none) joining motifs as I go. So I had a couple of false starts, but I think I have the hang of it now.

In spinning:
Still working on the dog hair from my sister---the ultimate procrastination project as I don't enjoy spinning dog hair much...just sayin'. But the sooner I get the dog hair done, the sooner I can move on to other wonderful fibers!!

What's happening on the farm and in the barn?
Listen into the podcast to hear me go on about some mishaps that happened with our newest addition to the flock. Also, where are the birds this winter?

Sleeping on the Job: Settling in to being a 'full-time' worker at just one place of employment. May use this segment in the future to talk about the phenomenon of pain.

Yammer:
Book review: 60 Quick Baby Knits

Thanks to everyone for tuning me in......talk to you again soon!

Tidings

Episode 14: Tidings

Seasons Greetings Everyone! The title of this episode of the podcast is "Tidings," a word derived from Old English, German, and Old Norse meaning "news" and "information." Very fitting for this late-arriving podcast on Christmas Day, because I have boat loads of things to tell you.

Missed my pod-iversary on December 4th---hard to believe that I started podcasting well over a year ago and was truly unaware of the type of commitment I was in for. It has been fun nonetheless and I aim to continue as long as I'm able to.

Thank-you to all of you who have stuck with me through my erratic podcast schedule. As I attempt to keep all of the balls of my life in the air, 2012 will hopefully include a more regular schedule of podcasts. Enough said, let's get on with it....

Fiber Conquests:
Knitting: Wintry Mix Sweater by Amy Herzog
Inspired by her "Fit to Flatter" class I took at Fiber College way back in September!!
Yarn: Berroco Blackstone Tweed (65% Wool, 25% Superkid Mohair, 10% Angora) in the "Steamers" colorway. Looking fantastic---have 1/2 of a sleeve to set in yet and then the collar to knit........almost done!

Also, crazy me! Knitting another Sizzling Hot Hat by Lucy Neatby. Yarn: Crystal Palace Mini Mochi in solid Black and colorway Feldspar (I think..........misplaced ball band---I think the kitties are conspiring against me by hiding my ball bands so that I'll pay more attention to them!) Hat is by request for a co-worker anesthetist who fly fishes in 40-degree water (brrrrrrrr)----well you know what your mother said about keeping your hat on (it's true---we lose quite a bit of heat through our heads---just a little anesthetist tid bit thrown in there ;-) Thought I would work a steel head trout motif into the patterning.......I'll let you know how I make out with that one!!

In Crocheting: In keeping with the season, I'm making my own (mine! mine! mine!) Snowflake afghan. Check it out: free pattern from Red Heart: The Dusty Snowflake Throw.
Yarn: Cascade 220 Color #8505 which is a creamy white AND
Cascade 220 Paints Color # 9848 which is a blue variegated yarn.
Purchased at Baker's Yarns & Fabrics in Springfield, VT. Owned by Bonny Andrews, a very nice lady and avid knitter---she'll help you with anything!

In Spinning:
Dog hair from my sister's Sheltie (now deceased). I gifted most of it to her for Christmas and have just a small amount of it left. Not greatly fond of it---just doesn't spin like wool! ;-)





In Felting: Finally got my sheep done from the "Baa" class with Amy Felske at Fiber College. The sheep is soft sculpture with wooden legs--mostly sewn by machine and hand---one needlefelts the fleece of choice onto the body of the sheep as a last step!

What's happening in the barn & around the farm?
Our chickens are producing five eggs a day---we have one free-loading slacker out there and I'll have to have a talk with her as soon as I figure out which one it is....

Our rabbits, Hershey and Midnight are fairing well with the drop in temperature--what with a nice angora coat on, wouldn't YOU be comfy? Their winter watering system is on and keeping their water ice-free. I think they're finally used to the chickens and all the chicken noises!

Big news with the SHEEP: we've added to our flock!! After a lot of thought & attempts to get a suitor for our Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) ewe, Sayda, we decided on buying a BFL ram. Our ram came from Vermont (Kat Smith @ Stonesthrow Farm in Wallingford), which we are very happy about and he arrived on our farm on November 2nd.

Our new ram lamb is the topic of my first-ever CONTEST on the podcast. We need a name for him---mind you, he came with a name, but we aren't too fond of it as it has 4 syllables and while we can shorten it, it's not in keeping with the general theme we have here on the farm of two-syllabic names.

So, here it goes LISTENERS: I'd like YOU to name our sheep. I have a picture posted of the cute guy. Respond to the blog or the thread in the Ravelry group (Counting Sheep Podcast) with the name that you think fits him. Some guidelines:
a) It should be a male name
b) One or two syllables please
I'd like to run the contest at least until the end of February so that I can catch as many of you listeners as I can. Of course, I reserve the right to extend the contest if the submissions are meager in number. I'll select the winning name via random number generator and the winner will receive 1200 yds. of yarn from our sheep. Your choice of color is dark grey or creamy white. The yarn is worsted weight.

So that's pretty easy right? So submit your idea for a name for our handsome newcomer---can't wait see your postings!!

Sleeping on the Job
This episode topic is not so much about my career and not about anesthesia. It's about the ties that bind healthcare workers together. Those that take care of others have a unique relationship with each other. When that which we fight takes one of us, the loss is that much deeper. Rest in peace, my friend, I will remember the happy times we had:

This podcast dedicated to Denise Comito-McGowan RN
April 9, 1955-November 12, 2011

Yammer
Fall Re-cap

Well, it was a busy fall for me and here's where I was:

SOAR (Spin-Off's Autumn Retreat, Manchester, NH)

Was I ever glad I went to this which was literally right in my backyard!! Great mentors and great shopping for the spinning enthusiast! Sessions I participated in:

Mohair Boucle the Easy Way with Maggie Casey
Hand Carding with Andrea Mielke-Schroer
Cotton Spinning on a Tahkli with Sephanie Gausted
Navaho Spinning with D.Y. Begay

Stitches East (Hartford, CT)
Always a blast especially if you take classes! Went to the fashion shows and the Opening Day Session as well! Leaves you the good kind of tired!

Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving with Deborah Jarchow
Seamless Crochet with Kristin Omdahl
Beyond Beginner Crochet with Drew Emborsky
Japanese Crochet Motifs with Myra Wood
Columns of Color with Knit One Below with Elise Duvekot
Thrummed Mittens Knitted or Crocheted with Marlaina Bird

New England Fiber Festival at the Big E (Springfield, MA)
Great turnout of fiber enthusiasts and a BIG special THANK-YOU to you podcast listeners who stopped by to say hello and give support---that meant so much to me---it's YOU who motivate me to turn on the mic!

And finally.........
To all my listeners, supporters, and friends: May you have a safe and happy holiday season------many, many wishes for a happy, but more importantly, a healthy 2012! Remember, until next time, keep your needles, hooks, and wheels humming, be kind to other folks, and I'll talk to you soon!!