September 23, 2008

Blocking Sideways

After a feverish 2 weeks of knitting my Sideways Spencer Jacket is blocking! It's doing a very good job of holding the carpet down in the living room, for sure, but it won't be there for long.


And how does one cope w/ 2+ jobs, a boyfriend, an incredibly inspiring new sewing book, AND feverish knitting? Tarantula. Delicious.


Past Due; Please Remit
At the beginning of the month I entered 2 items in the Chelan County Fair and won 2 blue ribbons! I've since found out that our fair uses the Danish Judging System (or something very similar) where entries are awarded ribbons based on a points scale rather than simply choosing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. This way most entrants receive awards and everyone is happy... However, to allow for discretion and appearance of ribbon credibility rosettes for Best in Class, Grand Champion, etc are awarded for utmost excellence. I present Endpaper Mitts (which also won Viewer's Choice!!!! "Beatiful Beyond Measure") and Brambley Hedge Socks.


Interestingly my entries were both missing their critique sheets, so I was able to have a live critique from one of the judges. Her comments for the mitts mostly acknowledged that my stranding was tight in some places making some tiny stitches. And for the socks she wanted them to be entrelac, but in fact the lace just makes them look that way, so I told her and she recinded her compliment. Don't I make it sound terrible? It wasn't at all; in fact it was kind of fun to be able to talk to the judge. Her biggest comment for both was that the items have been worn and that in the future this point should be mentioned as it could have kept me from the Best in Class status. Good to know!
Here is a friend I found while at the fair. I probably could have spent all day in the animal barn! Although, I was sad that there were very few animals raised for the purpose of knitting. I believe only 1 sheep that I don't think was Merino, there were a few Alpacas, a few Angora bunnies, but no Cashmere goats. Nevertheless, they were adorable! I would have such a hard time raising an animal knowing that it's purpose in life was for me to eat it. I just get too attached; it's much better getting my meat at the grocery store and not knowing where it came from. Here is one of my little firends, a pigmy goat!

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