Day: October 24, 2006

crafts · decorating · knitting · yarn

Knitting in Santa Fe

stitchywitch1 Comment

I was happy to discover that the finace of Marc’s friend was also a knitter, so we happily talked about knitting and felting.  She told me about a local shop, which I visited.  It was ok, but I didn’t find anything special.  We also went to the farmer’s market, where there were several yarn booths – but I can’t bring myself to buy handspun thick/thin yarns – pretty though they are I know I would never use them.

I had some minor insomnia during the trip, so I managed to finish Marc’s scrunchable scarf. 

Yarn: Araucania Nature wool, 1 full skein (220 yds)
Needles: US6
Finished Size: Approximately 5′ long by 5″ wide

Comments: I found working on this scarf to be tedious at times, but I love the finished result.  The pattern looks like ribbing but isn’t, so it lies flat and shows off the lovely color variations in the wool.  The wool is an average level of scratchiness, and is definitely not worsted weight or I would have been done long ago.  Marc loves it, and he can finally retire his ratty old scarf as soon as I block it (it doesn’t need blocking, but he’s requested I condition the wool for softness.)

In much more sad news, the Something red sweater is no more.  I found myself dreading working on it, and I also came to the realization that I wasn’t going to wear the color… so I frogged the whole thing.  I feel better now – as though a terrible weight is off my shoulders.  I now have a ginormous ball of shine worsted in wave with no real plans for it.  I’m considering getting rid of some of my shine yarn (I have lots) because it was purchased pre red hair, and I have to be pickier with color now.  So if anyone wants to buy any, let me know… I may make a post about it later.

I’m happy to have finally started the Hourglass sweater.

The yarn is Knitpicks mainline in Blueberry.  The color is very true on my monitor.  I had to go down to size 6 needles to get gauge.  Hopefully this sweater will bring me better luck!

I also started a Short row rib scarf (from Magknits) in Noro Silk Garden 008.

The pattern is super easy once you get started, and I adore the yarn color.

I arrived home to some packages.  Knitpicks sent me relacements for my defective options cables – their customer service is wonderful!  I also got two WEBs packages.

The SWTC Karaoke in Mermaid mix, for Clapotis

And an unexpected package containing Silky Wool that I thought wasn’t coming!

The green will become a lacy scarf, and the purple is for the Rowena Cardi from Knit 2 together… sometime.  It will be awhile before that gets started!

And what would this post be without a random house picture?  I got new candles for the kitchen window

Yes, I’ve been shopping at the mexican grocery.

Life · travel

I’m back!

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We’re finally back from New Mexico, after more driving than I think you can possibly imagine. How long? Including meal stops, the drive took 23 hours. No kidding. I think we took full advantage of the “unlimited mileage” offer on the rental car. We did get to travel through some states I’ve never visited before, including Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.

Leon didn’t want us to leave. And I am aware that my constant stream of “I wonder what Leon is doing now” comments makes me an official crazy cat lady. I’m ok with that.

New Mexico wins the straightest road award.

It was beautiful though, and the driving overall wasn’t so terrible, although I’m not so certain that we looked well by the time we arrived. We stayed at the “Pueblo Bonito” B&B, which was perfectly nice, with a comfortable bed, tiny old kitchen, and a stocked kiva fireplace. We took advantage of the fireplace, due to it being 40 degrees the entire time we were there.

On Thursday we went sightseeing around the plaza in Santa fe. Santa Fe is a much smaller town than you might imagine, and probably more touristy than you think. It was lovely, and the air was very clear, but overall I don’t think I’d like living there – I don’t like the feeling of being isolated in a relatively small place. The dryness also bothered my eyes and skin a great deal.

We (ok, I) like to visit churches, so we visited the Cathedral. The cathedral was pretty unexceptional, but had this insane statue of St. Francis in front.

I don’t know what’s up with his foot either. We also visited the Loretto Chapel, which is known for its “miraculous” staircase, supposedly built with no nails by a mysterious carpenter.

There were a lot of wedding type activities, so we didn’t really do a ton of traveling, but that was ok. Marc was really happy to see his friend for the first time in years, and the wedding was lovely.

The ceremony itself took place outdoors on a mountain… a really lovely location. The reception was inside a shelter, with lovely beams and a huge fireplace in the middle.


Yes, that black and white button is hard to avoid…

Overall it was an excellent trip, if a bit exhausting. I loved the beautiful artwork everywhere in Santa fe

And I really felt that I made friends with the bride, so hopefully someday they will get to visit us.

And the food… so wonderful. I thought I didn’t like mexican, but apparently I just don’t like bad mexican. Plus we ate at this one restaurant that had crazy rodeo clown photos everywhere

and Marc is crazy. This photo sums up the insantiy of an entire day lost to travel.

That’s right… this is Kansas. We didn’t have to go to Kansas – we actually drove there so that Marc could add another state to his list. Of course, all of Kanas that we saw was this crazy trucker’s strip club in the middle of nowhere, but whatever floats your boat, right? I love the crazy.