Further Down The Cable Needle Road

The best part of the creative process is that many times I come up with something that surprises me. It was reading about the Yarn Harlot's cable needle disaster that made me think of the necklace idea. That done, I got to thinking that knitters use different size cable needles and we wouldn't want to have to wear more than one necklace and ...............the two needle pendant idea asserted itself.
Blog and Stitch On!
Leslie

Now I Know

Many years ago I received this sweater as a gift from my friend, Suzanne. I wore it to "A Knitter's Fantasy" in Ohio and received so many compliments and requests to see the back side. So, years and years later I would like to reissue my gratitude.

Thanks, Suzanne LeVerte!

I love this sweater.

And the Cable Stitch Holder Necklace Is Born!

I was reading the the Yarn Harlot,
http://yarnharlot.com/
a bit ago as she was knitting the Vintage Sock pattern from the Tsarina of Tsocks http://www.tsocktsarina.com/.
Things were going along great until she dropped the sock with a cable needle in place and watched as the portion that was coming out to perfection, unraveled. In a flash the idea for this design came to mind. The tubular sterling top can be threaded with a chain, piece of leather or yarn and worn around the neck as jewelry. The switchback "needle" is made of bronze that is hammered slightly and polished. My theory was that the curves would hold the cable stitches securely. Having been a jeweler for many years I know there is a difference between theory and reality. I would be interested in feedback from the other knitters out there, please.
Blog (and cable) On!
Leslie

Fiber Fellowship at Lariviere House in Richford, VT

So here I am in a strange place with time on my hands. I had brought yarn and crochet hooks with me to make Linda's grandchildren each a hat. Hats are pretty quick to make and so I started some baby hats for my friend, Rob's baby hat contest hosted from his site

http://covetedyarn.com/. All the hats are then donated to the Beverly hospital (MA). Having packed in a frenzy, I had stuffed all the yarn I could fit into one bag, but I wasn't thinking color at the time. I asked Linda where there was a yarn shop and she points me down the street to Lariviere House. Shirley Jewett opened her shop in 1994. She had just what I needed to round out my color options. But knitting and crochet were just two of the ten options Shirley offered. Lessons and materials to do Tole painting, basket making, beading, jewelry making, sewing, quilting, smocking and etching were also available. What ever interested Shirley she learned and was willing to pass on her knowledge. It was a great relief to sit in her shop surrounded by all the ingredients to go in ten different directions and just talk. Here was a woman who I had just dropped in on in the middle of her work day who gave me me what I needed most: a quiet place to focus on the joy of creating.

Blog On!

Leslie

Richford, Vermont

Remember when you were a kid and you marveled at being able to stand on a boundary line and be in two states at once? Here is the view from Linda Pigeon's house looking out from the USA and seeing Canada.

The first morning I met Jill and Porky, owners of the River Street House of Pizza. Besides their pizza, it was the only place in town for breakfast. Think of it as "Cheers" with eggs, toast and coffee and no beer. (Well, none that I saw.) The center table was always filled with an ever changing cast of hungry characters. By day two it was my seating of choice. Thanks to Linda, who made sure I met everbody, I understood how easy it must have been for my brother to fit in.

Throughout my five days there I kept thinking how sorry I was for not making the trip to visit him sooner. How much fun it would have been to sit at the Riverside's center table with him and see his comfort in this community. That sense of belonging was not evident in our family and I wonder if this may have been the first time he experienced it so fully.

Blogging On..........

Leslie

Off to Richford, VT

Instead of getting to visit Jon, my other brother, Rick and I head today to Richford, VT to meet the people and see the town where he had been the happiest in his life. I look foreword especially to meeting Linda Pigeon who helped my brother with his photographic submissions and made it possible for his work to appear in Vermont Life. I know that was one his proudest achievements.
More upon my return.
Blog On!
Leslie

Back in the Real World

OK, I am back home to my normal local but nothing is normal. I have lived the last few days on cold cuts, Cadbury Malted Milk Easter Eggs and coffee feeling like a hypocrite after my eulogy referred to Jon's poor eating habits. Plans have been made, weather permitting for a gathering in Richford to meet his friends and see the place where he had been the happiest.
Still blogging hanging on for the ride,
Leslie