Glomitts

For Linh, who likes to do outdoor photography, even when it's cold. First pic is the top side, second is the bottom side with one open for easy access to camera buttons.

Lucky Baby!

Ian is now 8 months old. I had this idea for a sock/stocking and made it up for him. Leftovers became the hat (Y2Knit's Top Down Ear Flap Hat). I worked this toe up so that the entrelac formed an edging at the top.

I used Malabrigo Chunky.

Y2Knit, transformed

This last weekend, the Y2Knit Yarn Shop was transformed as we held the 4th annual Holiday Open House and Artisan Sale. Friday night was Old Tyme Christmas in Funkstown, and for the first time since Y2Knit has been here, there was no precipitation. Crowds were out to greet Santa and visit the shops, which were open until 9. Y2Knit had a steady stream of customers and lookers.





Featured artists: FLY's silver jewelry, Coles Pottery, collage art by Julie Cantrel, Penguin Forge, Kumiko Nuss clay artistry, woven scarves by Diane Silas, APPLES silver and glass bead jewelry, Millhouse Candles, Miriam Gordon photography and Cedar Ridge Soaps.

Felted Stocking

I saw a picture of a felted stocking and couldn't resist working up some leftovers I had. It was huge before felting, just right after. I cast on 52 stitches, worked 5 purl rounds at the beginning, then inc 4 sts in the next round and knit until it was 18" long. I then worked a short row heel and knit the foot until it was 7" long. I worked standard toe decreases until I had about 32 stitches, then worked decreases evenly around (first round k2, k2tog, next round k1, k2tog, next round k2tog) until I had 16 stitches. Cut yarn, draw through stitches, work in ends. This took only a few hours to create.

My text can't be read on the pictures:
On the larger, pre-felting, 23" from top to heel, 18" heel to toe, 17" circumference. After felting, 14" top to heel, 11" heel to toe, 12" circumference.

Fair Isle Mittens Class

This project was engaging and interesting. I think that everyone learned a lot. It was fun to see how the use of color changed the look of the mitten--all were beautiful.

We'll be offering this class again January 7 and 21.

Yarn used: either an alpaca(locally grown)/merino blend in natural shades or Lamb's Pride Superwash Sport (sport weight is new this season) in kiwi, brick, brown, blue, purple and white)

More on Tuscany--I have pics!

Here we are having a workshop outside under the grape arbor. The weather was fantastic, allowing us to be out every day. That is a swimming pool, but it was too cool to use it.










Via Umberto, the main street in Montisi.





























The other street, Castello, which winds up to the tallest part of town where soldiers used to stand watch for invaders.




Jill gives a blocking lesson.














Alessandro cooks a meal while Rose helps. (Tough job, but someone had to help him)

Reflections on Italy

I can feel parts of my almost four weeks in Italy already slipping away. I will have pictures available soon.

I come away mostly with a feeling of richness from my experience. I met wonderful people, made new friends and acquaintances, and earned a "ciao" on the streets of Montisi.

For a chronicle from one of the participants in week 2 of the Y2Knit Experience Tuscany, please check out Fae Hamilton's blog. She captured many of our experiences well, so it seems silly to be redundant. The rich experiences seemed to just keep coming.

Two special events stick out in my mind:

• On Sunday, Oct 5 (Jill's birthday), one of the contradas (neighborhoods) had a fundraising lunch. Tables were set up in the piazza and we enjoyed platefuls of lasagna, tripe (well, not too many platefuls of this delicacy), spinach and meat, desserts, and wine. We got to watch the locals, meet other foreigners, and be part of community life. One older gentleman came up to me and told me my daughter Rose was bellisima (beautiful). We later saw the son drive off in a sporty black convertible. She missed her chance!
• On Friday, Oct 17, we attended another dinner at the local bar/theater/hang out. Menu was much the same, with special vegetarian plates for me. After dinner, Liz Cochrane, a Brit living in Montisi sang, then there was karaoke and dancing. No marriage proposals, but a really good time was had by all. It turns out that Friday the 17th is like Friday the 13th in the US, so turnout was light. We were glad we were able to boost the numbers.
  

I loved connecting with local people, both Italian and ex-pats. We had heard about Brian, originally from Boston, now from Amsterdam and Castelmuzio, Italy. He works for Bruce Kennedy, the harpsicord maker. Brian makes the keyboards, assembling them in his shop in Amsterdam, then finishing them with the instrument in Castelmuzio. Brian is also a knitter, though he knits less now that he is into woodworking in a serious way.

One evening Brian called to suggest he bring some cookie dough and join us for dinner (dinner was homemade pici, a local pasta with a homemade red sauce, salad, and cake, all preceded by bruscetta with tomatoes and olive oil--cooked by Alessandro). Since this menu clearly needed more calories, I urged Brian to join us. His cookies are fabulous and we all enjoyed his company. We had to walk to Castelmuzio the next day (3-4 km - mostly uphill) to work off some of the cookies we ate.

Because we didn't have a car, we were able to eat and drink merrily and walk most of it off. The food is all local, homemade and fresh, and essentially nutritious. We purchased wine by the gallon from a local winery. Most missed the new olive oil, though the last few days some was pressed and sold to us. I can't begin to describe it. . . the color, the smell, the taste are not like olive oil as most of us know it.

While being in Montisi, a small country village, allowed me to connect with people, I also enjoyed a couple of days in Rome, where I was anonymous and could just take in the sights. Mom and I enjoyed several good meals, gelato breaks, and sightseeing.

It's good to be home. Abigail is thrilled to have me home and I look forward to reconnecting with everyone here.