Yarning in Utah

For those of you not familiar with the term yarning, let me explain. It simply means to shop for yarn. I'm not sure if yarn must actually be purchased, but every time I go yarning, I come home with a few skeins for the stash. And if John is with me, I come home with more yarn than if I go by myself. He was with me this time...

Black Sheep Wool Co.

Here I am outside the store before any yarn was purchased. This shop has become a regular stop on my trips to Salt Lake City, since it is very close to where we usually stay. I believe the owners are beginning to think I live in town. I always find something good here. This time I found some lovely sock yarn I had never seen before--Sunbeam St. Ives (80% Wool, 20% Nylon, Machine Washable). I was told that Nancy Bush has been using this for her socks lately. Looks like good stuff. I had a hard time deciding on what color to buy, so I came home with several. Good thing it's reasonably priced.


The Needlepoint Joint
This shop is located in Ogden, Utah. I had never been to it before and judging from the name, I was afraid it might not have much for knitters. Boy, was I wrong! This store has everything. I was so involved in yarning, that I totally forgot to take pictures, which is a shame because the shop is located on Historic 25th St.--a beautiful location.

When I go yarning out of town, I try to buy something unusual or least something my LYS doesn't carry. I came across a brand of yarn in this store called Cestari. It's manufactured in Churchville, Virginia and is described on the label as AN ALL NATURAL, VERY UNIQUE YARN. How could I pass that up? I bought the 75% cotton, 25% wool blend in a 3 ply D.K. This yarn comes in other weights and blends including 100% wool. Other purchases included a vest pattern (probably for this yarn) and a small sock darner to add to my collection.

There was a display of knitted pumpkins in the back of the store. These were the best I've ever seen. Some were felted and some were not. There must have been over 20 pumpkins, no two alike. All were variations of three different patterns, which the shop gives out for free. I came home with the patterns, but I wish I had taken pictures so I could remember all the different ways they were made. Well, I guess I have an excuse to go back now...not that I needed one.

Back Home

Just returned from Salt Lake City. And though our reason for going there was to attend a funeral, we still found time to enjoy the beauty of Utah. Drove to Silver Lake Tuesday evening to escape the heat of the Valley.

The temperature was about 20 degrees cooler here. It was just what we needed. The air was refreshing and smelled like fir trees. It's a smell that reminds me of Christmas.


There were many people here this time of day. Lots of families hiking the easy trail around the lake or fishing. John didn't bring his fishing tackle on this trip and I know it was torture for him to see the fish literally jumping out of the water to catch a bug for dinner.


The Trekking sock is coming along nicely. I only hope I'll have enough yarn to finish it. It's hard to tell right now.

On Wednesday evening we drove through Emigration Canyon and enjoyed the beautiful sights there.




Yarn shops were visited on this trip too, but I'll save that for later.

Knitted Soap Socks

I'm heading out the door in just a little bit for a very brief trip to Salt Lake City. Before I go I want to show you two more soap socks I knitted recently.

I really love making these and giving them as gifts. This pattern, Fish Net Soap Sock, is from a small collection designed by Barbara Scoville and published by The Heirloom Knitter in a small pamphlet style book called Heavenly Cotton Soap Socks...and More. It includes four patterns for soap socks and two patterns for french hand mitts. I found it at Black Sheep Wool Co. which is coincidentally in Salt Lake City. Hopefully I'll have time to stop by on this trip and maybe buy another book or two. I always find something interesting in this shop and it's very close to our hotel.

Trekking in Palacios

Finding ourselves with nothing pressing to do on Saturday, we decided to take a drive to Palacios, Texas. This small town is right on the water and not too far from our house. Our plan was to check out the RV camping sites for future trips and to ride our bikes along the bay in the evening when it wouldn't be so hot. John brought along his fishing tackle and I brought along the Trekking sock (color #115)...just in case.

I was able to knit in the car while John drove. Once I dropped a stitch which just happened to be holding three stitches from a K3tog. Yikes! John pulled over on the shoulder so I could recover these without making matters worse. All ended well and when we arrived in Palacios, we stopped to take this picture of me and the sock near the shrimp boats.


We located an RV park we liked and then explored a few shops in town. It was about 3:00 after all that and still too hot for a bike ride or a trek of any kind really, so I found some shade under a pavilion and set up for knitting and reading.


John fished from a small jetty nearby.

A funny thing happens when he begins to fish--he loses all track of time. It was late when he finished and though cooler, we were both hungry so we went to eat instead of riding bikes. Is it an official trek if you don't get any exercise? Oh well, next time.

Iowa Scenery

Corn is king in Iowa. I never saw so much corn before! Almost every field is planted in corn. And almost every bit of land is farmed. The corn is tall and green this time of year and is really a pretty sight.


I was told that pigs outnumber people in Iowa, but I didn't see any. I did see a herd of buffalo.


And a flock of sheep.


But mostly, I saw corn.

Told you it was tall.

Wonderful Weekend

It was wonderful weekend in Iowa! I finally met Laura, the founder of The Preemie Project.

She is an amazing person. A little over a year ago, after a knee surgery that didn't go as well as planned, Laura found herself needing something to do. With limited mobility and having to cope with a lot of pain, she turned to knitting to keep her sanity. Her mom, Linda, suggested that she knit some booties for the babies at the hospital and from that simple suggestion, The Preemie Project was started. Laura began to ask others through her knitting blog to help her. I believe I'm correct in saying that the project has grown to over 200 volunteers. Some are national volunteers like me, but many are from the Iowa City area. Working together we are able to donate a large number of hats, booties, blankets and bereavement outfits to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Cinics every two months.

All of the volunteers are important to the success of The Preemie Project, but the local volunteers are called upon to help in ways that those of us that live far away cannot. On Saturday and Sunday there were workdays planned to sew blankets for the babies and I was thrilled to be able to join the local volunteers in this effort.

We had an assembly line going. Linda cut out the majority of the blankets. I think this is the hardest part.


Next they were sewn. There were five sewing machines in use on Saturday and six on Sunday. I used a machine that was donated and though old, it sewed beautifully.



Other volunteers turned the blankets, trimmed and pressed the seams to get them ready to be top stitched.


Here's a picture of the group that was there on Sunday.


I had so much fun getting to know everyone. The way things were organized, I got to spend the most time with those in the sewing room. I met Darlene and discovered that she spends time each winter in a little town only 1 1/2 hours from my house. Small world. I learned that Carla can sew us under the table. She worked for hours without ever taking a break. Jane will probably have a new sewing machine by the end of the week. Hers was acting up and besides she needs one with fancy stitches for top stitching. It's for the babies afterall. Laura was sewing too and we spent a lot of time discussing The Preemie Project. She has great ideas and the will to make them happen.

I wish I could have spent more time with everyone working in the other room. Some were friends I know through blogging.

Heather, Me and Megan
(I also met Libby and we took a picture together too, but it's on Laura's camera.)

It was great to meet each volunteer and so much fun to work together. My visit was way too short. I hope I get to go back another day.

At the end of two days of sewing, we had 96 finished blankets! Most of these are the large size. It truly was a wonderful weekend.

Laura, Linda and me

Added later: Must have missed one blanket in the first count. The total blankets sewn this weekend was actually 97.

No More Excuses

Yesterday I did it. I quit making excuses and cleaned the house. The pile of magazines are gone, the sheets are clean, the floors are mopped, the throw rugs are washed and the ring in the tub is no more. I even cleaned up my desk. That's when I came across this poem that John wrote for me.

The Wool Winder

Fibers spun into a yarn
Sheep in meadow, field and barn

Birch-wood needles knit and purl
The ball winder's twist and whirl

Skein is stretched upon the swift
Row markers made just for a gift

Projects made to give away
Blessing someone day by day



It's a blessing to have a husband who supports my knitting obsession and doesn't mind if the house gets a little out of whack once in a while.

Off to Iowa tomorrow. Got to run some last minute errands and pack. There will be knitting time on the plane. I think I'll work on John's Trekking socks.

And because every post is better with a picture. Here's a totally unrelated one I took at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City last month.

No More Excuses

Yesterday I did it. I quit making excuses and cleaned the house. The pile of magazines are gone, the sheets are clean, the floors are mopped, the throw rugs are washed and the ring in the tub is no more. I even cleaned up my desk. That's when I came across this poem that John wrote for me.

The Wool Winder

Fibers spun into a yarn
Sheep in meadow, field and barn

Birch-wood needles knit and purl
The ball winder's twist and whirl

Skein is stretched upon the swift
Row markers made just for a gift

Projects made to give away
Blessing someone day by day



It's a blessing to have a husband who supports my knitting obsession and doesn't mind if the house gets a little out of whack once in a while.

Off to Iowa tomorrow. Got to run some last minute errands and pack. There will be knitting time on the plane. I think I'll work on John's Trekking socks.

And because every post is better with a picture. Here's a totally unrelated one I took at Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City last month.

What's Your Excuse?

Now that we're finally getting some sunshine, all the dust and dirt in my house is clearly visible. I should be cleaning, but instead I cut out and sewed six small blankets for The Preemie Project.



My excuse for not cleaning:
I needed to get warmed up for the sewing weekend that's planned in Iowa on Saturday and Sunday. And besides, I can always clean house...tomorrow.

Sleeper Sack

I've been working on a few more things for The Preemie Project to bring with me on my trip to Iowa later this week. This bereavement bunting was designed by Debbie, one of TPP volunteers. I've been wanting to try it for a while and finally found the time. It turned out so well! I followed this pattern as written for the smaller size except for using a fingering weight yarn (Ornaghi Filati Baby Cotton, 100% mercanized cotton) and knitting a ribbed cuff on the sleeves. This tiny bunting will fit a baby weighing less than one pound. Debbie designed the side with the buttons to be the back, but I like it for the front. I wonder which way the nurses will use it?



In other news, Matt is spending a week at camp, so we're finding out what an empty nest feels like. In less than one month he will leave for college and this will be the norm. It's not the first year he's been to camp, but John and I usually take a vacation at the same time so we're rarely home when he's gone. This week is sort of a trial run. Big changes are ahead, but I think we are prepared.

Also, you may notice some sunshine in the pictures above. This make me happy. Sunny skies have been a rare thing here lately. It rained almost every day in June. And July has started out with more of the same. So unusal for Houston this time of year. It's true we needed the rain, but we are all craving sunshine now. Of course, with sunshine there will be heat. It'll feel like a sauna outside before the day's over. The mosquitos are really bad right now too, so pack some insect repellent if you travel this way. The stores are likely to be sold out.

Black and Gold Beanie

Patterns: Sideways Wedge Hat and Michelle's Booties
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft worsted weight
Needles: US 7 straights

I used only one strand of yarn for the hat and smaller needles for a finished size of 6-8 pounds.

This Hawkeye set will be donated to The Preemie Project. The good news is that I can deliver it in person. Ever since I've joined this group, I have hoped for a chance to travel to Iowa and meet everyone in person. In less than two weeks it will finally happen. I can't wait!

Baby Hats and Booties

Two sets for The Preemie Project for babies 6-8 pounds. Both hat patterns are from the book Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding. I bought the last copy of this book at my LYS. The owner said it sold out quickly. No wonder. The patterns in it are adorable and simple enough for a beginner. It includes several baby sweaters, a blanket, these hats, booties and even a pattern for a maternity sweater and a nursing sweater. The baby items would all make nice gifts. I want to make each one.

The booties I made for the hats are a variation of my favorite pattern. I use this pattern all the time, because it knits up very fast and is so versatile. I've tried others that I like, but this is still the best.

The yarn I used is another favorite of mine--Little Lehigh by Kramer Yarns (45% cotton, 35% acrylic). It's very lightweight for a cotton yarn and it's machine washable and dryable. Perfect for baby items.

Needles used for both hats were US 5 and US 7 straights. It would be easy to knit the hats in the round if that is your preference.