March

Well, I was in a funk, then, I re-looked through my queue and found a pattern I liked - Making Waves Cardigan. I dug out the yarn I'd planned to use and it just didn't speak to me. So, I dug through my stash, and found something that said it wanted to be used. Bugga in Polka Dot Wasp Moth. It's a black with bits of teal in it.

I started knitting the body 3rd week of Jan

 and when I got down to the back and ran out of the first skein, it turned out that I started the second skein which was a lot darker, so I undid that, and wound and started a second skein.  Somewhere in the middle of the row, the cable on my signature needle broke. I was not happy. Luckily, I reported it to them, and they replaced it. Now, I've knit sleeve 1 and I've started on sleeve 2.

In the middle there about 2 weeks ago, I decided I was inspired enough with my knitting to try again to go to Stitches West. It's been on my list for a very long long while, but being kind of on a yarn diet means that I can't just buy everything. So, I looked for a hotel, and thought I'd booked the room. When I arrived, it turns out that I booked March. Luckily, I was able to find a suitable replacement.

I signed up for 3 classes, and had a great time. I met some people from my online rav groups, and I was very good, I bought only 3 skeins of yarn:

From Left to Right - Miss Babs Sojourn Sport in Violaceous (65% Cashmere, 35% Silk), Invictus Yarns Desert Dream in Sunshine - a lovely honeyed yellow (50% Camel; 50% Silk), and Fresh from the Cauldron MCN Sock in a lovely (non-self-striping) mix of Turquoise Blue, denim blue(s), Ochre yellow, and Brown. I know, not my usual colors, but I just couldn't resist.

I also fell in love with some sari silk wrap skirts (made from recycled sari silk wraps) from A Darn Good Yarn. There were some great deals to be had at the show (one of the booths was offering Offhand Designs bags at 30% off). Unfortunately, I didn't find out about that until the very end of the show, and by then, they designs either just didn't grab me, or with the discount, and our @#$% exchange rate, it just wasn't worthwhile to get. Perhaps I might regret that one day..

I also found some cool collapsible luggage that I might re-look at to get for my next trip - http://store.tutto.com/
They were very appealing, but either did not have the color I wanted in the size I wanted, or the size was wrong to put my carry-on luggage in. As it was, I would have had more room in my carry-on, if I'd brought fewer cardigans to show and to use for class. As it was, I could have left 1 or 2 at home, and had more space for toting home. Or, I could have buckled and checked in laundry and a softer bag..instead I opted to just do carry-ons and get home faster.

I came home to my plum tree blooming out front - full and pink.