Author: denisemor

And suddenly I feel rather behind on all things holiday-related 🙂

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to the Bow Market Holiday Festival on Saturday.

It was a great time, and very busy! Seems that the move to Edison Elementary gave the event a real boost.

Since I ran out of printed copies of the knitting patterns I had available, I wanted to make sure to provide the links here:

Stranded Colorwork Hat which knits up kinda like this

And Garter Stitch Hat which looks pretty much like this

Next up: WSU Country Living Expo, January 26 at Stanwood High School!

The long holiday weekend offered me a chance to get a little woolwork done, and I took it!

I went back to the stash to see what would jump out at me, and was reminded that I still had a little over a pound of Edgar Fall 2011 fleece in reserve.

It was so nice to spend some time picking

and then carding

this gift from my dear departed buddy, and reflecting upon how thankful I am for all my critters, past and present.

I have about 3 ounces or so left to pick/card, and no particular project in mind yet, but I think that once the Holiday Market is in the rearview mirror I’ll start spinning it- I’m thinking probably a 2ply dk weight for a sweater or vest of some sort.

In anticipation of the market next Saturday I’ve been working up some more singles in natural shades- these guys are fresh off the wheel and still need to be washed and thwacked

It seemed only fitting to continue the ovine theme into my first round of holiday baking-

Oh how I love me some Springerle 🙂

I also wanted to share my excitement about these cool new rubber boots I just picked up.
Really. Boot excitement. Unreasonable boot excitement.
(this is not a paid advertisement, I promise)

Springy, with arch support and a very comfy, secure fit, but not tight around the ankle.
And the traction is awesome. Just got them, so I can’t speak to how they’ll hold up, but I tell you what- they feel amazing.
Grundens Deck Boss.

It’s been a remarkably beautiful weekend-

And I finally got some photos, just as it’s drawing to a close.

We made what I hope will be a significant upgrade to the chicken accommodations today- a second Feed-O-Matic treadle feeder.

So now we’re Feed-O-Matic only- no more open feed sources. Hopefully this will help to discourage the starlings and other small birds from hanging out in the shed eating and pooping all day, and also keep spillage to a minimum.

And in wool news, another Marta cap flew off the needles this week- this one slightly sized up.

I just can’t stop knitting them! So if you think you might need a toasty cap for this winter (or know someone who would appreciate one as a gift!) make sure you swing by the Bow Holiday Market on Dec 1. New location this year- Edison Elementary School.

Also- registration is now open for the WSU Country Living Expo. So save the date! January 26 @ Stanwood High School. I’ll be teaching two classes- The Basics of Wool Processing, and Yarn From Scratch: Handspinning on a Wheel. Should be lots of fun!

Yesterday I introduced a few new feathered friends to to chicken crew.
Marco Pollo (6 mo old olive egger roo), 2 silver laced Wyandottes (about 7 months old), and one Welsummer (9 months).

They seem to be holding their own pretty well, so that’s good. “Welsie” as I’m calling her, is fitting in most easily. Maybe because she kind of looks like the amerucana girls. And the Wyandotte sisters appear to be able to stand up for themselves, and have claimed roosting spots on the new structure I assembled last weekend.

Marco looks like he could be Bertrand’s little brother. He’s kind of unassuming, so I don’t think Bertrand feels too put upon 🙂

I think it’s going to work out ok.

And when I’ve not been busy overseeing chicken assimilation, I’ve been able to make quite a bit of progress spinning Marta singles and working them into a Honegard earflap hat!

Had to rework the pattern a little to account for the smaller gauge, but I think it’s working out nicely-
Really like the solid charcoal color with the different textures- garter stitch for the earflaps, and the honeycomb cables for the rest of the hat. Marta’s wool is so soft and springy.

I’d forgotten how much I like working this pattern.

Have a great week!