Mom's Knitting Room: 8/14/11

Welcome To Mom's Knitting Room

Welcome to my blog page. My site will update from time to time. You may on occasion see items rearranged or removed. So don't think you're going "crazy". I am still learning to navigate within the blog world.

My knitting experiences have been very slight. I have only been knitting about four years. Learning the "ropes" and "ins and outs" of knitting from my mom who has been knitting for over 50 years. I have had the privilege of having many talented women and men teach me their "tricks of the trade". They have been generous and patient with me as I learn this craft.

You might wonder why its taken so long for me to catch the "bug" of knitting, but until recently it occurred to me that this long lived art would die with my mom as she is the only one of three siblings who can knit and crochet. So in order to keep the tradition alive and hopefully pass this on to future generations in our family, I ventured out on this new journey and chapter in my life.

There are many knitters out there so willing to help "newbies" along this expedition of knitting. Along the way, I have been able to impart some new techniques, skills and information to my 80 year old mom. I've been able to introduce her to fabulous fibers as well. . . . .

Who said "you can't teach an old dog new tricks?!"

Sunday, August 14, 2011

WEBs Bus Trip to Massachusetts

I had the privilege of visiting the actual store and warehouse of one of my favorites yarn stores in the country. For the most part I visited online and shopped online, but when I learned that several ladies from the knitting circle I belong to were going and invited me to sign up, I wasted no time.

What a wonderful experience! Upon entering you are welcomed with goodies and a discount card for your entire order, excluding sale items. The goody bag held a measuring tape, and small pieces of candy to keep your energy up and going as you navigate the store and the warehouse. Well, let me tell you that warehouse is a small Costco layout! Yarns are stacked upon racks and columns and each aisle is labeled the sort of yarn found in that particular aisle. Just like when you go grocery shopping, this was 'yarn' shopping at its highest level!

I spent a good portion of time with a young woman who teaches spinning at the store. She was lovely and very knowledgeable about fibers, textures, textiles, etc. and she gladly navigated me through the different spinning fibers and techniques. I actually came away with an ounce of camel down.What a wonderful feel that fiber has!! Can't wait to spin up a sample of that.

Next WEBs outing?? Watch out!! Larger bag to take with me for the all the stuff I will return with!!!

Cats and Dogs

I am quite blessed to have a husband who indulges me to no end. Our dog rescued a tabby cat with three kittens, all grown at this point. There were three females and one male, but the male cat ran away. The others have stayed. We have been successful in domesticating one of the three kittens, pictured below named Scratcher, plus the mother cat. We managed to spay all three female cats (Mommy Cat, Scratcher Face and White Face) and care for them daily. Two live with us while the third one (White Face) refuses to be housebroken. Doesn't matter to us, we still care for her and look for her daily to be sure she is safe and sound. We have a doghouse outside under our balconey so she is sheltered from the snow, rain and sleet. During the winter months we use a heating bowl for her water and put lots of blankies in her doghouse so she stays warm and dry.