Some Bunny’s Love

This week I wanted to write one post that would feature three topics: the awesome Twist Collective Trunk Show at the Stitch House of Dorchester, the anticipated package from the Ravelry Helpers Swap, and the MetroWest Guild meeting. Unfortunately disappointment reared its ugly head when the package did not arrive. I am relieved and delighted that the other two topics more than make up for it. However, I will write only on the amazing trunk show and save the guild meeting for later.

Last Saturday on the 10th, I had the immense pleasure to drive up to Boston and visit the posh and comfortable Stitch House of Dorchester. Annissa was graciously hosting the Twist Collective Trunk Show of which Julia Farwell-Clay (known for her work in TC and Moth Heaven) was mistress-of-ceremonies. Fighting the winds and traffic, I had arrived at noon and ended up finding a seat in the second row of folding chairs. Julia and I exchanged waves to each other, and I took some photos of the crowd. Just when I was about to sit back down, I spied my friends from the Common Cod Guild — Guido (of the podcast It’s a Purl, Man fame) and Michelle (Boring Knitter) — coming in from the cold. I walked to the front of the shop to greet them, and quick salutations were made. Finally I settled back into my spot. It was time for the show to begin.

Attending the show held a particular purpose for me. As seen in the photos, I am quite interested in many of the featured sweaters. There were many pieces that had everyone ooo-ing, ah-ing and cooing with delight. I had already purchased Wisteria and Vivian, but was debating on knitting Little Birds and Sylvi. That one pattern was the most anticipated in the show, and it did not disappoint. Julia’s words offered tantalizing snippets on how the pieces were knit, and for whom they were made. I have featured some photos below, but all can be found HERE.

When the trunk show was over, there was much mingling and shopping. I chatted with Julia first, and then met other attendees who had never been on Ravelry. For these future members, I sent invitations on the spot. I later helped Michelle decide on whether she would make Sylvi with Riverstone Bulky or another yarn. Let us just say she is going to make Sylvi in a gorgeous cobalt blue… We both kept staring (okay, it was really myself) at this stately gentleman who was wearing a very cool cabled pullover obviously made in Noro. I introduced myself and asked permission to photograph that wonderful sweater. Besides being a fantastic knitter, Doctor John happens to be a professor of music specializing in the flute. We loved chatting about his lively and interesting stories. It turned out that he used to teach once a week at one of the Providence colleges, and blogs about his loves too.

As I had stated previously, the Stitch House of Dorchester is a nicely stocked shop. Because I already have the yarn for all the sweaters that I want to make, I really did not need to purchase anything. However, I did find more of the Cascade Pima Silk in black for my Mother’s hat and some Addi Lace needles. There was a moment of weakness where I found some decadent Mooi laceweight from Louet. Not only did I remind myself that I have lots of luscious cobweb and laceweight yarn waiting patiently at home, but its short yardage of 350 yards made me put the $50 skein back in the little jar with the rest of its friends.

Whenever I am reflecting back on that day, I call the trunk show a success. Everyone that came seemed to have left with smiles on their faces and satisfied purchases. I peeked inside our goody bags and found Abby Franquemont’s entrelac pattern of Fourth Grade Hat. Delighted with that find, I became determined to make the hat with my worsted weight scraps (after I finish the other WIPs, of course). =:8

Finally I am sneaking in time to enter a blog post! For the past couple of months I have been occupied with work and found myself feeling detached to everything else. Sure, I managed to make it to special guild meetings (courtesy of Guido Stein and the Common Cod Fiber Guild), knitting SNBs/circles, and conferences (Stitches East with the awesome Ravelry Helpers). However there are little bombs inside my head that want to explode. I am wrestling with them during my daily drive, and sometimes hourly at home.

Every year I make resolutions and then immediately break them. They all fall in the same line: weight loss, driving more at work, turning WIPs into FOs, fixing up the house, volunteering more charity work, saving money, and then blogging about it all. Last year of 2008 was full of surprises — both good and bad. I hope to make 2009 a bouquet of sweetness whenever possible. Doing so may involve in closing off harmful relationships (all are muggle ones) to my psyche. If these old ties were true friends, they would understand. For now I shall sharpen my skates and sprint across my icy network as fast as I can. I may even bunny dance during my run!

In the knitting realms, Ravelry has definitely kept my attention — and the attention of over two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) members. Though the membership seems small, Ravelry made its debut to a very select handful on April 11th, 2007 and has skyrocketed membership like a “hockey stick” in a graph. The niche of “internet crafting” is amazing to behold, and Ravelry caters worldwide primarily to knitters and crocheters who are also spinners, sewers, weavers, and jewelers. The site can be very overwhelming to those not familiar with forums, but the information and social networking aspect can be harnessed into powerful business connections.

A few examples are presented in the following:
1. All members are given a Notebook to track their projects, yarn stash, needles/hooks, library, friends, and other items. The organizational aspect helps leash each member’s tigers of piles.
2. Local yarn shop owners on Ravelry have found that when customers come into their shop and are fuzzy on pattern material details (”I think the pattern’s name is ‘Wavy Wimple’ but I am not sure.”), the LYSO can go online and look up the pattern and suggest the yarn and tools necessary to make it.
3. For events like Rhinebeck S&W, TNNA, and Maryland S&W, vast information including what vendors to check out, which hotels to stay/avoid, where to find the best eateries, and when the meet ups occur were communicated in specific forums.
4. Designers have the ability to create their own shop in which members can browse their patterns and decide to buy/download after seeing how other folks did in following them. There are future works that will allow Dyers and Spinners the same ability.
5. Specific guilds, groups, and shops can communicate with their friends, members, and/or customers. Kate, the president of Massachusetts MetroWest Knitting Guild’s group posts messages about upcoming meetings and sponsored events. The “Cuppa Tea?” group brings folks from all over the world to profess their love of tea types and where to find them. The “Ocean State Crafters” group discusses items like where to shop or local events. Gina’s Mosaic Yarn Shop Maniacs host various knit-alongs, list classes, and updates on their fellow members.

These lines of communication have networked folks around the world together. Digesting all of this information is a constant work of art, but I love it. Adventurous stories to come soon — I promise!! Meanwhile, please note the other social webs that I live and feel free to include me. Now, I leave you some of Richie’s chocolate cake with white vanilla “almost buttercream” frosting… Bunny hugs! =:8

Last year, Rich took me to a NASCAR race in Loudon, NH. Skeptical, I went knowing that the drive would mean great knitting time. I cast on and finished a pair of worsted weight cabled socks using Classic Elite Inca Marl Alpaca which reminded me of a checkered flag. I do not remember how I made them because they were “off the cuff” so to speak. BUT, I do remember that they were top-down and knit 2-at-once.

This year, I was looking forward to going to see a race. Luckily, Rich’s co-worker decided not to go and again offered up his tickets to Rich and me. Snatching them up, we planned our trip in anticipation. My anticipation was due to trying to figure out what to eat and to knit. Rich’s anticipation was to make sure we could carry everything without having to use the bulky cooler from last year.


The drive up was not so fun because the rain poured down on us like a hurricane. Rich kept reminding me that the more it rained during the drive, the less chance the race would be called off. Not believing him, I imagined that as soon as we arrived to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), an announcement would be made saying the race was being rescheduled for Monday. Fortunately my pessimism was for naught. By the time we arrived at the Montgomery County High School, the skies stopped their weeping. We joined all the other riders and climbed into our police-escorted buses and were sent along our merry way to NHMS. I knitted my Secret Pal’s socks the entire time from the drive in RI and only stopped when I needed.

Our arrival to NHMS was timely. The race was only delayed so that the track could be dried. During our wanderings around the souvenir trailers, we stopped to get something to eat and drink. Finding a table that did not drip directly on myself, I continued working on my Secret Pal’s socks. I even made Rich take my photograph while doing so, humidity-flattened hair and all!

Ironically there is not much to really discuss on what happened that is worthy of being written. I kept taking photos of the pit crews because I thought it was neat how they were vigilant and always ready to pounce in front of a moving car’s path to work on it. Biffle did win the race, but I will let all the photos do the talking! =:8

Wednesday night on the tenth proved to be a very fun and educational round of learning. After being introduced by Vickie of Island Yarn Company to their fabulous president Kate, I joined the Metro West Guild and attended my first meeting at the public library in Needham, MA. The group was a lively bunch, and after the “show and tell” of our current/finished projects that were brought in, we shared our favorite gadgets for crafting notions. Later, we voted on what classes we would like Lucy Neatby to teach us in March using a technique which required us to vote with dot-shaped stickers.

At one point when I was being introduced, somebunny said, “Oh I already know who YOU are. We have been checking out your stash!” And when I was talking to Sue, I spied Kate (the president) and grabbed my precious cake of Regenbogen to show her. I placed it in her hand and asked if she could identify it. Touching the yarn, she shook her head. Sue then held it and began to stroke the cake like it was a kitten. When I finally fessed up that the cake was Wollmeise 100% Superwash, Sue turned away from me. Kate began to tease her by saying I will want that back. Sue’s reply? “Hahaha! I have seen her stash. She’d never miss it.” Of course, I stuck out my hand and Sue put it back in my possession.

It was a fun evening chatting with the folks that I met. One of them, Melodie, had issues with her Clapotis WIP. I promised her that I would bring both of mine when we saw each other in two days. Her skeins of Dream in Color Smooshy are the same dyelot, but the change between the sections could be seen when peered closely. Oh, what was in two days? Let me tell!

Friday the 12th was a big day for the Common Cod Guild. It was the first meeting, and to kick it off, Franklin Habit was in town to talk about knitting. To cut to the short of it all, I present more photos.

I will admit one little thing about that night… When I first spied Franklin outside the speaking hall greeting Mel, I wanted to drop everything and pick him up for a huge bunny hug. Instead I froze, and whispered to Melodie, “I so want to run up to him right now and hug him.” She said, “Why not? I am sure he would not mind one bit.” Later on after seeing Lucy Lee from Mind’s Eye Yarns, I told her that I wanted to see Franklin but was too shy/chicken. She then walked me over and introduced me to him! All I will say is that he is awesome, and that everyone should come see him.


After Franklin’s talk, there was a lot of chitchatting and laughter. I managed to get another photo with Deborah — hunnybee33 on Ravelry, and exchanged hugs with Kathy (Grumperina) for a fan of hers. Of course my friends Michelle, Ericka, and Chris were there and we all did quick shots.

Later, when cleaning up was finished, we all decided to walk over to The Asgard on Massachusetts Avenue. Guido had raved about the Truffle Tater Tots which are fried tater tots tossed with truffle oil, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Of course with our luck, we get a cranky Irish (or maybe he was Welsh) server who gave the bad news that the Truffle Tater Tots were 86′ed off the menu by then. We still made good with the rest of the menu. My coconut shrimp and avocado salad was surprisingly filling with lots of shrimp and avocado. I was expecting something skimpy. The desserts looked delicious, and from the faces of those who ordered them, I would say they were! =:8

Yikes! When I cast on the Ultimate Gift, it is a good thing I decided to do a quick swatch. I thought using the US4 (3.50 mm) Addis would put me at gauge, but noooooo. My knitting is so loose, I had to come down to US2 (3.00 mm) Addis!! At least I started doing the sleeves first to be sure I do not get frustrated early. My progress has not been what I hoped. After two repeats of the pattern I realized that I would not finish in time so another alternative had to be knit. On Friday night I cast on at 8:45PM and finished about 7 hours later. The design I chose? The Ballet T-shirt by Teva Durham. Clicking on the photo shows the actual color of the mohair-blend top. Close call for a medal! (Wipes brow)

So while Eric’s cabled pullover was not finished for Ravelympics, I still am working on it. Recently when I sent him a photo of that first repeat, he replied quite enthusiastically. That was when I noticed one of his taglines, “People will not remember what you say or what you do, they will only remember how you make them feel.” This quote had more power than I realized.

Two Sundays ago, Rich’s cousin Christina went out to get some ice cream after dinner for her mother and herself. When she came back, Aunt Agnes was asleep on the couch. Chris tried to wake her, and when Auntie Ag would not awaken, Chris called over the fire department across the street. Turned out that Auntie Ag had a heart attack and was placed on life support. That Tuesday, the decision to stop the machines was made. Auntie Ag looked so peaceful, as if she would wake up any minute and ask for some Canadian Mist. I will never forget her smile, her mothering chastises, and that she was one of the first of Rich’s relatives to greet me into the family.

In irony, death had also occurred in the last Knitting Olympics. Rich’s business partner lost his father-in-law during the first weekend, and I lost my beautiful Hayley-girl. Coincidence? I do not know. I just know that Auntie Ag made me feel comfortable in the family, and I will miss her brazen wit and attitude. Life does go on for the living, so finishing all my projects (weight-wise, home-wise, and knitting) is going to be my priority for a bit. I can only wonder how I make folks feel when I leave this earth. Sobering thoughts, I know. Sorry!

Oh dear, I just checked the Secret Pal 12 Blog and it looks like I missed a question during that week with Auntie Ag.
Question for Week 10:
What Olympic event would best describe your knitting/knitting style?
Hmm… I would like to say the gymnastics balance beam exercise. Reason, because my stitches flow but are held in precision. One wrong move, and WHAM! Time to start over.
Question for Week 11:
What is the best thing you’ve ever received in the mail/post?
Everything that all my pals, secret or not, have sent me. I literally use all that has been given to me, so I cannot decide! Have a good week everybunny! =:8

Baseball is something I can obsess over besides anything knitting related. After playing my first game of softball, I find myself desperately wanting to improve so I can make those awesome catches that the professionals do so easily. To refresh a couple of memories, I adore baseball and HAVE to watch it daily. If I cannot watch a Major League Baseball game — does not matter who — I listen on the car radio and root for the team who has players that I like.

This past Sunday was a special treat. A month or so ago, I spotted an email from Red Sox nation saying “enter for a chance to win tickets for RI Day” and did so. I shared the links with other RI pals, but ironically, non-RI-native me won a chance! On the day allotted to purchase the tickets, I was sick in bed. If there was anything I was going to do while miserably sick, it was to at least buy those tickets! When noon hit, I did my best to grab the best seats as possible, and managed to get 4 box seats in right field. I had no idea how close the seats in the park, but I did not care. The original idea was to see if a couple of friends could join us too to share in the fun. Lo and behold, newlyweds Kerri and Mike were interested in the tickets and were up for a great afternoon.

To say that Kerri and Mike are Red Sox fans is the biggest understatement of a lifetime. They had looked into having their wedding at both Fenway and McCoy Stadium, but decided that the emptiness would feel too odd and offer a non “Red Sox” feeling. Plus, they told me that just to get married on the Fenway Park roof started with a $3000 fee — does not include the food/catering! In other words, to get married on field itself, be prepared to start the tab at $15000. FYI: Years ago in 1998 having a Disney wedding required spending at least $10000. Sorry, I would rather have that over Fenway. But I digress…

To say we had a blast at the game is an understatement. Though we could have done without the rain delay, the dark clouds that were in the sky were ominous. Add the lightning and the weather was not quite as nice. I took a ton of photos, so much that the camera’s battery died in the 7th inning! Hope everybunny enjoys them. =:8

Well maybe not everywhere, but this crazy bunny ended up playing in our fourth softball game Thursday night because of the “3 women must be on the playing field” rule in our league. What? I never mentioned that I play softball? Teehee, nobunny is missing much. I had never played before until a month after I started working at my new job and was told about a team being formed. Knowing that I lack the hand-eye-coordination to catch or bat, I warned folks that as much as I would like to play, I would not be a good player but would be a good cheerleader. With the first two games postponed due to rain, somehow I ended up in the batting line-up in the third game. I surprised myself by actually hitting the ball for a base hit and out-running the throw to first! Wow! Excited from being able to get on base, I called my (high school jock) sister “Ace” after the game. I could tell she was proud for me. Admittedly I think losing the extra weight helped in running around the bases. Now if I could only lose those last additional pounds…

Clicking the photo of myself on base will show how badly I felt during Thursday’s game. I kept coughing up a storm, and my misery was evident. We did win 24 to 17, so at least my pain amounted to something! One of the coolest shots is of us after we said “good game” to the other team when everything was over. The three men in the middle consist of one of my co-workers Ron (#11), my boss Jerry (grey cap), and QA extra-ordinaire Mike (with glasses). The photos above are from a friend from work, Misha. He has a fabulous camera and is one of our team’s “official” photographers. The photo below shows the other photographer Rich M. in the background and Misha in the foreground. I remember taking the photo, but was getting agitated because I could not find it. Later I realized that I was using the coach’s camera, not mine. DUH! The other photo happened when I drove home on Thursday. Right after the game, it began to rain, then it downpoured. Driving on the newly grooved Route 128 highway was not fun. Attempting to Kinnear a rainbow in the downpour is also not fun! Please excuse the blurriness, but it was the only shot of many that shows the colors best.

Now with the title mentioning bunnies, I just had to post some recent photos that I took of my fur-children in action. Today Zydeco kept flopping on his side, so I just could not resist snapping the camera at him. The other is his “giving disapproval” look on taking his photo the other night.

For the crazy part, Julius is still pining for a girlfriend and keeps hoping Jessica Bunny will give in and be his. Unfortunately for him, this middle-aged biddy has other thoughts. By the way, that photo of her and him together is her biting him in an attack!

Teehee! Time for the Secret Pal 12 Question of Week 8!
What is your favorite supper for a hot summer evening? (For added “flavor”, post a photo or recipe link)
With this SP12 question, I had to think for a bit but only for a short time. My favorite meal ever during the summer was just over (gasp!) 13 years ago. My sister Ace, our room-mate Anita, their (now husbands) boyfriends, my “puppy” (that was what my rugby teammates referred to the hapless creature), and I cooked a bushel of blue-crab along with a couple pounds of butter. Pair that with cases of cold beer and white German wine, and that is a feast to remember! Lately I have a tendency to pick up 2-3 pounds of King crab legs or large shrimp. Somehow those and lobster salad sandwiches seem to be the summer treat in the house. However, since showing a photo is mentioned, I will happily show everyone what I eat about every morning. A two-egg omelet (well that day it was a frittata) of bacon, cheese, onions, and tomatoes paired with a parfait of fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt. Add my cup of tea and loads of water, that is what I eat daily for my diet! =:8

Here I am, back from Virginia. The news: my Daddy suffered another stroke last Saturday and refused to go to the hospital until late Sunday night. When my Sister Ace and Mother dragged him to the ER, the hospital kept him overnight for a bunch of tests. After the initial tests were done, Ace called me to share the news and said I needed to come home. I flew home Tuesday to hear the whole situation. Daddy’s clot is somewhere in his left temple area. An angiogram and angioplasty were being scheduled, but there would be huge complications if the angioplasty were done. Because of the general location of the clot, a bunch of digging would be done in his brain during the surgery. If the stint were to be successfully inserted, Daddy would be in the ICU for at least 6 months while his body healed. If the operation were to be disastrous, he would become a machine-dependent vegetable or the unthinkably worse.

All that data was a bit difficult to stomach. The alternative was if he refused the additional tests and surgery, his next stroke would most likely be fatal, but using coumadin might help. Ace and Mother had called me home because Daddy immediately had opted for the surgery. By the time I had arrived and sat with him on Wednesday morning, he changed his mind and was ready to go AMA (against medical advice). Long story short, the doctor never scheduled the angiogram and was fudging his words about the surgery’s complications. Turned out that there are only a handful of local surgeons capable of performing the delicate operation — one of them is the Duke University surgeon who removed Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor. Not wanting my father to be a guinea pig, we let the doctor know of our thoughts. He then acquiesced and allowed us to take Daddy home.

I spent the remainder of the week hanging out with my father at the rental properties — partially chauffeuring him around in his truck (I keep getting told that it will be mine in the future, yes I think that is morbid!), partially keeping a watchful eye to make sure he was okay. Doing so gave my Mother a chance to do every day basic chores, and relieved Ace to spend time with her family. My parents are selling one of their rental homes, and are in the process of leasing out another. Here are some photos that I took at the Chambers location. Notice the hydrangea bush? I had disturbed somebunny napping under it.

During my time home, I managed to visit my beloved favorite yarn shop in Virginia Beach, Ewe Knit Kits. LYSO Bobbie never fails to make a person’s day with the various yumminess that she keeps in stock. I showed her the Baby Pinwheel Blanket that I cast on with the Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted in Yellowstone which I purchased during my last visit in April. I scooped up more Lorna’s Laces, Jade Sapphire, beads, buttons, and needle felting tools. The buttons had a purpose — check out the Killer King Caesar!

Now that my weekly update has been written, I will answer the latest for SP12.
Question(s) of the Week #4
1) What yarn (that you don’t have/haven’t used) would make your stash “complete”?
2) What yarn do you never want to be without?
Hmmm… I must say that I cannot think of anything that would make my stash “complete” or that I never want to be without in any respect. I admit that I have a crazy amount of yarn — almost at a collector’s level. Peering into my stash, the guess would be acquiring a silk laceweight like Sundara, Fyberspates, or Sunshine Yarns to help in completing the stash. As for a yarn that I never want to be without? The toss up is between fiber content — 100% buttery soft merino (Melosa, Malabrigo, Sunshine Yarns South American, Marta’s Merino Lace, etc.) and the silk/animal blends in my stash (Jaggerspun Zephyr (DK and Lace), Classic Elite Posh, K1C2 Richesse et Soie, Horstia Silk/Merino, Reynolds Rapture…). It is so hard to choose because I love them all!! =:8

To everybunny that has been commenting here, huge bunny hugs of thanks from the bottom of my little heart. One of my summer resolutions is to answer each and every comment, and I will do my best to answer all of them since the postings in April. If I have not responded right away, I offer up my sincerest apologies. The comments are a big compliment, and I am deeply flattered that folks like to read my crazy musings when there are many others out in Blogland.

I really wanted to write about Saturday’s fun at WEBS with Carol first, but a little something has come up that requires me to go back home to Virginia Beach. I most likely will be off-line, so if anybunny needs to contact me, just either comment here or use my “contact me” page. Either way, I will get an email and the messages will be received by this weekend.

Now for the little bit of fun, how about a couple of photos from Saturday at WEBS? Carol Sulcoski and her son “Elvis” are very nice folks. She even was a good sport about posing with the Killer “Caesar” Rabbit WIP. I had run into them at the warehouse earlier that day when I was hoping to find more skeins of Classic Elite Allure, but no such luck. However I did manage to get 3 bags more of the Julia in Delphinium (#3983), 4 skeins of Kauni, and 6 skeins of LLSW in my beloved Pilsen. (Sigh) That makes a total of 40 skeins of Delphinium (in Jedi voice “The other colorways are not in Kimberly’s stash.”), “I lost count” of Kauni, and 15 skeins of Pilsen (the Jedi voice repeats about those other colorways). I really MUST be an addict!

There is some news of knitting progress. I finally finished the birthday Clapotis, a pair of Fetching for the Ravelry Helpers Birthday Swap (which I forgot to photograph), and worked on the 3rd pair of Lacey Cable Socks. Originally I was going to make these for me, then I read that my SP12 Spoilee would love a pair of lacy socks. Not only that, the colorway is one of her favorites. How is that for motivation? =:8