greetings from the motherland!

ha ha. okay. apparently, New Hampshire air makes me a little loopy.
What's not to love really, when you're home, take a stroll (alright 2 miles each way) downtown for a beer on an outdoor deck on the water and stroll back?
Before we get too far away from the Michigan trip of two weeks ago, I wanted to show you one of my yarn acquisitions purchased at Artisan Knitworks.
This lovely fiber is Urban GypZ
Fiber: Superwash Sock Merino
Colorway: Oi Vey!
Yardage: 550-560 Yards!!!!!!

Needless to say with that much yarn, I'm tempted to make knee socks... or a cute baby sweater or something. Any suggestions would be welcome!
Back to NH time, but I'll report more when the Tall Guy and I return to DC. I won't be traveling again until the beginning of August. Yay!

Flying summertime

Seriously, I'm not that naughty, just a bit swamped right now!
Its been a bad summer for blogging. 9-5 work, yoga work, visitors, visiting, you get the idea.
I have some news to report, however.
First, I cast on the chevron scarf. And then I frogged it. And then I cast on and knit and then I frogged it....repeat this for about 10 times. No joke. The Tall Guy couldn't seem to figure out what the heck I was doing. I wasn't sure either.

Chevron
Originally uploaded by sparklypia

But, finally, I seem to have it down. It looks like a spring garden to me. I'm not sure if I will keep this one or stock pile for holiday gifts. We'll see. The yarn I ended up using was one skein of koigu and about a half a skein of Fleece Artist. (which you didn't seen pictured, its the blue green colourway and so nice to knit with!) This wasn't my original intention, but the colours were just too good to not use together..

I'm heading to New England on Thursday for a week and can hardly wait. While I think there will be a lot of busy-ness and chaos, I'm demanding at least one beach day, two if I have my way.
One of my best friends will be in from California and we'll be hard at work finalizing her upcoming wedding plans for November. Currently, I'm on the lookout for a solid-colour dress in a blue hue. Not strapless. If anyone has an idea, just let me know.
Tonight, if you're not already aware (ha), the last Harry Potter book is being released. I may have a bracelet that holds my place in line for midnight. Please don't judge too much, I just want to read it before someone spoils it for me!
Also, in case you're wondering why you haven't heard anything about the Jaywalker recently... I got to the heel flap, forgot to change needles to the larger size and only remembered as I went to turn the heel. Well, normally you wouldn't notice the difference between size one and size two needles, but when you compare two heel flaps? You do. Sigh. I needed to just put that down for a minute before I threw it out my living room window.

back...for a few days at least

I'm tired.
I'm traveling a lot
and more to come. A lot more to come.
But, its summer, this is what happens, right?
Before I forget, I just went to look at a pattern on Knitty and discovered the summer issue is up!!! Yay!!! www.knitty.com.
This weekend I was in NH for my sister's graduation from HS. Isn't she cute? She's going to UNH in the fall to study Marine Biology and she's pretty awesome.Traveling and not being the one driving (its been like Planes, Trains, Buses, shuttles and only sometimes automobiles lately) means good knitting time.
The jaywalkers are making progress. All reviews are correct. This pattern knits up super tight and snug. It fits me, but for anyone else, I'll def. have to knit the whole sock on size 2 or 3 dpns. I switched needles as I turned the heel, from 1's to 2's, but i don't think you can really tell.
And... I finished the super secret present in record time. Mkick had whipped up a circular needle holder per my request (or plea) and I thought it prudent to plan ahead and create something for her in exchange. One can never have too many bags and when she was given it yesterday, she spent a great deal of time thinking about what she'll put in it.
Pre felted and
Post Felted:

Bad blogger, no cookie.

I know. I’ve been a terrible blogger this week. Please forgive me. Big Girl work has been hectic and crazed and chaotic and all of that good stuff rolled into one. I know its nothing to complain about, and I’m gainfully employed, but most days just means that there aren’t enough hours in the day to get half of what I want done there, only to go to Yoga (which I won’t give up!), meet my Adams Morgan girls for post yoga food, say hi to the tall guy in passing as I zip to the metro, knit a few rows in transit and get home and crash by 11pm.
Dear reader, this does not leave a whole lot of exciting things to tell you at the moment!
Here goes. I’ll try.
I don’t have good pictures for you, but I’m not working on Friday, so how about then?
Maryland Sheep and Wool. Holy cow. I walked into the festival and immediately stopped talking. I hadn’t been that overwhelmed since the first time I went to Disney World back in 1987. I’ll post my purchases, but didn’t do too much damage at all. Which is really quite impressive. I had never seen much roving in person (that’s unspun wool for the Muggles) and the amounts, kinds, colors and sheer variety was Off. The. Hook. Even the tall guy was impressed.
I didn’t have spinning in my mind at all when I walked in. But as the day went by I collected two drop spindles (one was free from Interweave) and a bunch of roving. I’ve started practicing a little, but its going to be a steep learning curve for sure. I’m so sad this is only once a year. I can’t wait to go back!

In other news, I’m bracing for the summer season. Two weddings, a trip to Detroit (eeeks!), two trips to NH for Sisters graduation and family visiting and a visit from Erica in August is making for tons to look forward to in the coming months. I’m not sure how I’ll fit it all in! More details coming soon!

Go NH!

I have a deep love for my home state and this weeks ruling by the state lawmakers made me hop up and down and do a little dance. The Governor has said he'd sign the civil union bill so it looks like its a shoo-in.
I won't wax poetics on my socio-political beliefs, but I really do think this country needs to get used to the idea that there is more then one way to be in a strong relationship. The bible shouldn't be the only way to interpert family values...
Yay New Hampshire!In other news, I only have about an inch done on the new giant sock so, I'm not sharing. Sorry. I also ordered a skein of Lime and Violet handpainted sock yarn the other day and it just came in the mail. It is SO pretty, but the light isn't good for a picture, so I'll hold off.