One for me and one for a sample.

I am finished with the large project for Blue Sky Alpacas.  Sorry I cannot show it, however, I have a couple of quick projects to show.  I could not resist the lone hank of Noro  Furisode in this colorway.  It was a quick knit compared to the projects I have worked on lately.  It is good to get a project finished quickly!  The Urchin is a great little hat and one of my favorite patterns.  Angel helped pick out the yarn for the sample.  Typically I prefer a thick and thin textured yarn for the hat, but this light and lofty single was perfect!  It took about a skein and a half.

The Bandana Cowl from Purl Soho.

A shop sample for Amazing Threads--Urchin, by Ysolda Teague.

Happy Roc Day!

A poem by Herrick:

St. Distaff's Day, or The Morrow After Twelfth-day

Partly work and partly play
You must on St. Distaffs Day:
From the plough soon free your team;
Then cane home and fother them:
If the maids a-spinning go,
Burn the flax and fire the tow.
Bring in pails of water then,
Let the maids bewash the men.
Give St. Distaff' all the right:
Then bid Christmas sport good night,
And next morrow every one
To his own vocation.

Illustration from Chambers' Book of Days

Yipes, stripes!

My current projects have a linear feeling to them, which is probably a good thing as I have been very busy with this, that, and the other lately.  The house is de-Christmasted, and soon I hope to paint Ben's room (and remove the airplane ceiling fan) and move my stuff into it.  My old office/art/fiber room will become a guest room/small den...at least that is the plan!

I am having fun revisiting a favorite pattern while knitting myself (another) hat and samples for an upcoming class.  The pattern is The Gaugeless Hat #106 designed by Deb Gemmell for Cabin Fever.  I made my first one years ago when I worked at AAY, and decided that it would be a perfect class for newer knitters to learn about gauge.  My original hat is made with Lamb's Pride Worsted and Kureyon, the "holiday" version is with Raggi and Ella Rae Classic, and the samples for AT are made with Ella Rae Classic and Plymouth Gina.  The elf (short) version looks cute in the photo on the pattern, but I prefer the stocking (long) version.  Adding the pompom onto the red and green one was just what that hat needed.  I will be sure to take that one to Okpik this year!

It was wonderful to go to the first Spin-In of the year on Saturday.  We had a good group with lots of spinning, chatting, and fun.  I finally bought a support spindle, bowl, and lap bowl.  It is a bit different technique to spinning compared to the drop spindle, but I enjoyed a quick lesson and now have to be sure to practice!  Mary's husband, Rob, does a nice job on the spindles and I like the heavier weight of this spindle.

Jim and Ben got me some colorful gifts for Christmas.  From Jim, a kaleidoscope and from Ben, a Colorku.  It is nice to take a break during a busy day and enjoy some quiet activities--and enjoy the colors!

Goodbye 2012, hello 2013!

Trying out the new skis right after Christmas.
It is so good to be on skis again!

For Christmas, Jim got us cross-country skis, boots, and poles. We tried them out right after Christmas and although it is a bit more work to cross-country ski, it is fun!  We have many parks with trails in the area and there will be plenty of opportunities to ski in and around the Twin Cities.

It is always exciting to begin a new year and what better way to begin the year with a fun 5k walk/run?  For the Commitment Day event it was very cold (below 0), but the large crowd was energetic and the atmosphere was fun.  There was lots of encouragement along the way.  I would have more photos, but the cold prevented the camera phones from working properly!  We ran along the river by St. Anthony Falls (where we canoed) and the Stone Arch Bridge (where we have bicycled).  Hopefully we will be doing more of those activities this year.

Commitment Day 5k in Minneapolis.
This was a fun way to begin 2013!
My goal is to keep fit and be happy!

We started at the Metrodome.  Ben and I are
staying warm until we go outside.

It started out sunny and below zero.  I am the short
person in  the brown hat and Ben is behind me.
He ran the whole way.

Jim and I, on the other hand,
wogged (walked a bit, jogged a bit).
At the end we got a bag with a
commitment diary to keep track
of our fitness for the year.