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What I Learned This Weekend

I’ve got random bits to tell you about so I’m borrowing a page from JessLu’s play book and doing a “What I Learned This Weekend” post.

*I learned that charity knitting, while great for the soul, isn’t so great for producing exciting blog posts. Do you really want to see yet another Red Scarf? I didn’t think so. But, just in case, here it is, one finished red scarf.
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I’ve got yarn for another one but at the moment I’m knitting a hat for Christmas At Sea.

*I learned that I can get my house decorated for Christmas in less than 4 hours. It looks a bit like Christmas threw up all over the place. I’m happy.

*I learned that online shopping is much better than dealing with the crowds at the malls and big box stores. Of course, when the garland that goes over the kitchen window is missing (how does a garland of greens and lights go missing, anyway?) it means a trip to the big box craft store is in order despite the best of online shopping intentions.

*I learned that Bobby is a wonderful film. Emilio Estevez did a brilliant job with this picture. Go see it.

*I learned that spinning thick yarn is harder than spinning fine yarn. But I managed to successfully spin two Grafton Fiber batts into bulky yarn. See?
grafton_yarn.jpg

*I learned that I can spin sock yarn. Here’s my finished “Twist and Shout” Superwash Merino Roving from Crown Mountain Farms.
sock_hop.jpg
That’s 550 yards, plenty for socks!

*I learned that going back to the YMCA after a 4 month absence is a good thing. You know what’s not so good, though? Pushing yourself to do the same number of repetitions with the same amount of weight that you were doing 4 months ago. Perhaps I should have eased back into the routine a bit more slowly. Ahem.

Finally, I learned that hanging out at home with nothing special to do, is a really good thing.

This Post Has 51 Comments

  1. Wow-you DID learn alot! Bet this weekend will be especially meaningful to you. I never get bored seeing Red Scarves and your handspun is gorgeous. On-line shopping is the best! I’ve done it the last 3 years and I’m not going back! (To the mall that is)

  2. I love pretty pictures of knitting – red scarves or otherwise! It’s never boring for me.
    Your handspun is gorgeous. I can’t wait to see the socks you make from the blue-green yarn.

  3. You had a productive weekend! I’m in awe of your spinning…all of it! What does it say about me that I forgot to decorate this weekend?

  4. I agree on the online shopping. That’s how I spent black Friday there was no way I was going anywhere near those stores!

    Red scarf looks great and what beautiful spinning. Love that twist in shout!

  5. You were BUSY this weekend! The red scarf looks great and I love the merino handspun sock yarn. I’ll be joining you at the gym soon 🙂

  6. Nicely done with that Grafton Fibers! I like the look of the bulky yarn. Maybe I’ll spin mine up like that and make a nice squishy scarf or something.

  7. Wow, you’ve been busy!
    The only time I’ve been able to do bulky yarn was the one (ahem) time I managed to do the long draw successfully. Clearly I need to take some more time to practice. 😉
    Love the sock yarn!

  8. Yep, it surely is a lot harder to spin thick yarn. Yours looks great! And the Sock Hop is really pretty! Nice colorway. I’m glad you enjoyed your time off.

  9. Very pretty handspun- that bulky came out wonderfully! Love your description of Christmas decorating- too funny! My wreath will go up today and the rest will follow slowly. The tree will have to go up late with the puppy and the extended puppy gate on backorder.
    I donated to Christmas at Sea a few years ago. Glad to see they’ve revamped their website.

  10. Not that I know anything about such things (because you know that I don’t), but your spinning is GORGEOUS! The sock yarn is wonderful, Carole!!

    Sounds like you had a nice weekend — productive and yet relaxing. I’m continuing to deflect the “When are we putting up the tree?” question and haven’t decorated a thing. I did take the Christmas stockings out of the cupboard this morning. ; ) It’s a start.

  11. Yeah, I took a break from hats and started a red scarf. I also finally started spinning some of my Sock Hop fiber. Hope it turns out as beautifully as yours!!

  12. Yay for your red scarf! Yay for beautiful spinning! Yay for Christmas decorations being up! Let us know how long it takes for them to be put away at the end of the season, will you? 🙂

  13. Gorgeous sock yarn!! LOL – I have the same problem when I resume exercise after a break… I’m hoping to do all my holiday shopping online this year, too.

  14. Yay for Christmas throw-up! I love the sock yarn too.
    Hanging out at home is the best-We work so hard to keep a cozy home-you might as well enjoy it!

  15. The Twist and Shout looks wonderful! Now get it on those needles and lets see some socks!

    Good for you getting back to the YMCA. November is definitely better than January, when EVERYONE and their dog is there! Don’t go hurting yourself though!

  16. Gorgeous sock yarn!!
    Maybe I need to *learn* a few things?! In other words I didn’t do much for the past 4 days…except knit & spin! The YMCA desperately needs my money!

  17. Wow you did learn much this weekend, and accomplished so much also – lucky 🙂

    The spinning looks so good. I never knew spinning thicker was harder than the thin stuff, only because I can’t get the stuff thin enough.

  18. Gorgeous handspun. I am all for online shopping. As a matter of fact, I’d better go do a bit of that. I’m not even close to ready for the Christmas decorations. I wonder when I’ll get to that.

  19. I have to agree with you on the online shopping and staying home – I “sat and knit” for most of the day on Friday and it was absolutely WONDERFUL!

    Your spinning is gorgeous and the sock yarn came out great – I love the colors 🙂

  20. Happy Thanksgiving Carole. I thought of you during the four day holiday as I did my charity knitting. I kind of enjoyed the simplicity of it.

  21. Sounds like a very educational weekend! And yeah, I’m all about the online shopping . . . SO much friendlier than fighting the crowds.

    Your Twist & Shout looks beautiful–I’m looking forward to spinning up mine!

  22. “Christmas threw up all over the place” – That made me giggle! That’s usually how my decorating goes. Love the spinning. I really have to check out that Crown mountain stuff. I keep hearing good things…

  23. Wow, your handspuns are terrific! I am aspiring to sock yarn yet… and as far a bulky yarn, well there’s always plying. I just can’t believe you are already decorated.

  24. Beautiful knits are always welcome and it’s kinda thrilling to have seen so many red scarves that we could actually be sick of them, right?

    Your spinning is stunning carole, especially that sock yarn!

  25. Amen to the staying home with nothing to do! I’m already wishing I had another one of those sessions planned… Maybe New Year’s?

  26. I’m waiting patiently for my Crown Mountain yarn… wish I could spin it beautifully like you do. Ooops. Did I say that?

  27. yay for online shopping! and even if you do end up at the stores, don’t you feel better just knowing that you don’t have to be there?

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