Thursday, October 13, 2011

Episode 116 is Live!

IMAG0418

Hey, at CFR, we get the Federation guys on shore leave. I'll bet they can't say THAT about Rhinebeck!

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

We have a website at http://www.cogknitive.com/. You can find older episodes there.

You can now subscribe to the BLOG on your Kindle or Kindle app.

What's On My Hook/Needles/Spindle:
Finished:

4x4 Sweet Artemis Socks, made in SWM from FatCatKnits, colorway is Sweet Tortie. They are a joy to wear! So soft and squishy!

IMAG0394

Sweet Tortie Socks for LG--made from the same handspun as the Sweet Artemis socks. I did one top-down and the other toe-up. I am now a top-down knitter by choice!

IMAG0432

Still in Progress:

Socks for Miss CorrieThe time has finally come....to knit for the teacher!

The untouched Noro Kuryon vest

TwinFace's 2011 Holiday Afghan, themed after the Third Doctor of Classic Doctor Who. I am so closed to finsihed!!

Petal Shawlette. Still on the needles because I found my xerox of the pattern AND bought a lovely pattern sleeve and magnets from Slipped Stitch Studios to manage it and a fantastic row counter from RKsmom to manage the stitches themselves.

Dizzy Blondes:

There was much frantic fiber purchaing at the CFR2011 booths by Yours Truly. I may not need to go to Stitches....

I finally finished all 4 ounces of FreckleFaceFibers' SWM in turquoise, purple mix. Not plying until I at least finish one knitted or crocheted project for the holidays.

Strategy: Angry does not fix the problem.

Something I Really Like:

Vibram Fivefingers TrekSport Shoes

IMAG0428

Blather:
CFR2012 is in the planning stages. Still finishing the last details of CFR2011. Running in my new shoes, losing my lunch, and generally returning to whatever normal is for us here on Rancho CogKnitive.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Episode 115 is Live! CFR2011 recap Part Two

IMAG0407

Here we are, back at the recap of the CogKnitive Fiber Retreat 2011 (CFR2011).

Here are Nathan (Straphanging) and Loretta (Loretta1031) at the registration table, welcoming the attendees, as you heard briefly at the end of the last episode:

IMAG0406

IMAG0405

Here are our classes for this year:

10 AM--11AM: Navajo Plying--Ann (StashyMomma)
11AM to Noon: Tatting--StephieJo StephieJo)
2 PM-3:30: Build your own hanging loom--Mindy (HeyMindy)
3:30--5PM: Japanese art of ribbon making Kumihimo from Sandy (slkwvr) of RedFish Dye Works

IMAG0404

We sent 25 bears and $397 to Mother Bear Project!!

We are so proud and VERY GRATEFUL to all you Bear Makers! Of course, anyone who contributed a bear got a free ticket for every bear to our spectacular raffles for 3 gorgeous and loaded baskets of fibery and jam-n-jelly goodies!

Here are Mindy (HeyMindy) and Jamie (Jamie's Metalworks) working on the loom that Mindy taught us all to make for weaving:

mindyjamie

Dinner was at either Don Juan's or King of Siam. Here are some pix from King of Siam (Thai food), where I happened to land that evening. The staff there remembered us from last year and said farewell to us by calling "See you next year!".

Carrie, Eileen, Loree and Ann graced my table and kept me laughing all through the meal.

IMAG0425

Mary and Barb never forget that we are all here to KNIT!!

IMAG0424

A first- and a second-, and a third-timer all bonding over Thai food:

IMAG0423

YES! We ARE having fun!!

IMAG0422

And then: the after-dinner gathering to spin, knit, crochet, tat, kumihimo, and to fix antique wheels.

I am pleased to say that I got Alexis' new wheel--circa 1870 from Czechoslavakia--back to spin. here she is, admiring it. the pieces are all labelled to help her with re-assembly once she gets it home:

IMAG0426

I was pretty pleased myself and took the moment to pose with my handiwork:

czech

We all sat up until nearly 1 AM on Saturday evening, just enjoying Ann's late harvest cherry wine and Lisa's superb home-brewed mead.

On Sunday morning we finally had to say goodbye--but not until we held what Nathan dubbed "The Steering Committee" meeting at the Village Gril. There a group of oldtimers and one newbie (Allsion 1031 of The Hollywood Knitter Podcast) hammered out the schedule and plans for CFR2012. And here they are, as they stand right now.

Mark your calendars for October 13th and see you there!!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Episode 115 is Live! CFR2011 recap Part One

IMAG0421.jpg
LOOT!!

No, seriously, some of it will go to the next Mother Bear CAL/KAL this winter. My thanks to the donors, gifters, and vendors!

The food:
Red House BBQ
Petra
King of Siam
Don Juan's
Village Grill

The vendors: (In no special order)

IMAG0410

Lex's Designs (We got Lexicom of the Yowza! podcast to sell her first patterns here. Remember that when she's famous and swamped by crochet-junkie-followers!)

IMAG0408

IMAG0409

Freckle Face Fibers (Maker of the Official Colorway these past 3 years; Nicole, head designer at top)

IMAG0417

Tally's Project Bags & Stitchmarkers (Our own Ferengi!)

IMAG0418

Jamie's Metalworks (Yeah, he does a GREAT Will Riker imitation!)

IMAG0412

BeeMiceElf (Lovely Laurs with her lovely products! What would we do without her?)

IMAG0419

IMAG0420

Wolfe Farms (That is their AWESOME prototype new spinning wheel design in the 2nd picture.)

IMAG0413

Alpenglow Yarn (Bringing us luxury and American-raised! And the awesome Curlie who taught me about shoes...)

IMAG0411

StashyMama's Fiber (why, yes, I DID buy out that big roll of fiber at right...Ann's goodies are always worth it!)

IMAG0415

Slipped Stitch Studios (Laura brings the pattern sleeves and magnets that we all crave!)

IMAG0414

Ranch of the Oaks ( Bitte, Mette, I want it all! Friendly folk and our most local fiber mill, to boot!)

IMAG0416

RedFish Dyeworks/Weavers Outpost (Selling like mad, as always! And Sandy and Elf  keep me laughing!)

There will be more! But this posting is getting too long!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Episode 114 is Live!

IMAG0403
The first pair of handspun socks are finished! On to some for the BT...

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

We have a website at http://www.cogknitive.com/. You can find older episodes there.

You can now subscribe to the BLOG on your Kindle or Kindle app.

What's On My Hook/Needles/Spindle:
Finished:

Simple Scallops for Twin's birthday! Such a great pattern, as always, and a simply gorgeous yarn--Jojoland meloday SWM.

Jerscarf

Mother Bear #11 to celebrate the completuion of my twin's shawl.

IMAG0391.jpg

4x4 Sweet Artemis Socks, being made in SWM from FatCatKnits, colorway is Sweet Tortie. First sock is finished after the knitting...well...attacked me...

IMAG0394

Still in Progress:

TwinFace's 2011 Holiday Afghan, themed after the Third Doctor of Classic Doctor Who. *wheeze*

Petal Shawlette. Heading for the frogpond, I am pretty sure...
Dizzy Blondes:

2 ounces of FreckleFaceFibers' SWM in turquoise, purple mix on the bobbin.I still am not finished this.
Strategy: Never put off until tomorrow what you want to do today.

Something I Really Like:

Kindle Free for All

Blather:

I celebrate the big 51, get a solo and some lovely new draperies. Whew, the party gets wilder every year!