Skipping SAFF

This hat knit up fast and is super warm.

I’d like to write a glowing post about my trip to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF) this past weekend, but, unfortunately, work, a biweekly evening class, and my sons' athletic events have officially sapped my seasonal energy.  I woke Saturday morning, aching all over and feeling exhausted.  Determined not to miss a huge annual fiber event, however, I dressed, got in the car at around 7:00 a.m., drove to the gas station, filled up and then decided that I didn’t have the strength to drive 2 ½ hours to Asheville, walk around, and then drive back home again on the same day (as I did last year with no problem). Secretly relieved more than disappointed, however, I decided to stay home—a decision which turned out to suit me just fine, as I had plenty of my own fiber arts projects to tide me over until next year (probably an understatement from the looks of my expanding stash which might see me through to the next decade).   

I returned home to rest for a while, after making a stop at Wal-Mart, where I purchased the latest issue of Knitscene magazine and a baking pan to use to make pumpkin-, leaf-, and acorn-shaped whoopee pies. (I won’t digress too much from my knitting-related activities here to share the details of my tale of woe regarding the aforesaid pies.  Let’s just say that the term “non-stick” on the pan wrapper seems to have been a lapse in editorial preciseness and that my earthy looking crumbles—which I made today—share little resemblance to the darling, clever ones displayed in the photograph on the package.)
 

I delivered the Clemson hat I designed to my co-worker, Shep, during this past busy week.  I've worked with this man for almost two decades--he's a kind person and a great listener.  I'm happy that he really liked his hat.  I might be making a Clemson golf club cover for him soon. 

But, back to Saturday, after unpacking my purchases and sitting for a while to work on a poncho using Debbie Bliss Riva yarn, I headed to Cottage Yarn, a short drive away.  If I couldn’t go to SAFF (and spend lots of money on goodies I found there), I rationalized, I at least could indulge a little bit in some knitting related materials.  And I did need some size six interchangeable needles as I couldn’t find the pair that came with my set (until about five minutes after I returned home with my new pair, of course, and found them attached to a forlorn lace cardigan in a bag I looked in when hunting for a tape measure). 

Ironically, at Cottage Yarn, two knitted-up versions of the Lucy Hat featured in the magazine I’d purchased were on the display over the mantle of the fireplace.  I love this hat, and found pretty skein of Cascade 220 heathers to use to make it.  I want to do something creative with the hat band, maybe using some beaded or velvety yarn.  I’ll have to see.
 

This is a picture of a page in Knitscene magazine, showing
the Lucy Hat.  My yarn is shown in front. 

After my trip to Cottage Yarn, I spent a pleasant afternoon watching Jane Eyre and Becoming Jane and knitting away.  I finished a hat I’m making for my niece’ and her husband's new baby.  (I refer to the infant this way as I am as of yet unable to speak or write the term “grand” in conjunction with discussing any individual related to myself.)
 

                                                        This is a small, easy project--perfect for when life gets busy. The yarn is Knitcol and the pattern for a "Child's Self-Striping Hat" is available on Ravelry. 


So not traveling far from home allowed me to put my feet up, finish the baby hat, weave in the ends on a hat with ear flaps I made using Lamb’s Pride bulky wool, and knit a goodly portion of my Riva poncho.  (I want to post the pattern I devised for the bulky yarn hat, but can’t seem to find my notes.)  I think they’re at school, and, if I can locate them, I’ll get around to doing so sometime soon.  (I’m certain that my recent exhausting schedule has affected my memory a bit.) 
 

This is my poncho in progress. 

With a short break for Thanksgiving coming up next month, though, maybe I can recover a bit before the onslaught of the holidays.  I haven’t cast on my Lucy hat yet, and I haven’t even begun my holiday knitting—and October is almost over.  I need to get busy!

I finished this Pine Needle Shrug this past week, too.  Everything I'm working on is simple and on relatively big needles right now--a fact that reflects my flagging energy.