Yes, it’s crazy I know! but I do have Netflix and even upped my subscription. So, I’ve been surfing more than usual and started listening to Cast On’s podcast, and learned about the recent effort by Knitting-and to create a knitting wiki! I think that’s just awesome, so great to have one key resource that we can contribute and create. Sarah is looking for CSS gurus to come up with a wiki skin. Any of you out there that can help out?

Let’s see what else have I learned…oh, yes, Craft came out with another issue and they have info backed blog! I had purchased the first issue and now I have to subscribe! I love the format of the magazine. Check out the table of contents.

Next lace project

I’ve been spinning up some very fine merino/cashmere that will soon graduate to yarn status, and then a project. Now here’s the problemo, there’s no project in mind. None. Zip. Zero. I need to find one before it graduates and lingers in the basket. I’ve started flipping through Folk Shawls (btw errata here), but I think those projects require too much yardage. Then I have two patterns from Fiddlesticks: Lacy Lattice & Kaleidoscope Wrap…these just might work. I gotta keep looking though. Maybe Icarus, Print o’ Wave…and so on.

Do you gals have any suggestions? I say around 800 yards maybe more, of this beauty.

I’m certainly not as distracted as Erin, but I could definitely compete in the oohhh look there’s a plane! Last night I mentioned a link I came across that had basically compiled great resources for sock knitting, and so, I must share this with you along with some other goodies.

1. Toes & heels - a collection of links to various free handknitting toe and heel techniques

2. Looking for tips, patterns and such for wristwarmers? Check out this blogger’s del.icio.us bookmarks

3. Don’t know about del.icio.us? Well, go to their site and find out everything there is to know about social bookmarking. And then subscribe to list of links.

4. Looking for pattern ideas? Here’s Fig & Plum’s flickr set, and mine, or you can check out the free patterns from Drops

5. Want to knit some knee-high socks? Look no further, Knitter’s Anonymous has done a good job of putting together some resources.

Enjoy!

For my fellow crafty geeks, if you’re looking for inspiration check out this new magazine: Craft.

Knitting update
Not much going on at Mimosa’s. I’m working on a pair of Eleanora socks, My So Called Scarf, and knitting a bunny toy. Oh but best of all, and problaby why I can’t seem to knit long, I’m digging into my merino/cashmere roving. This roving is divine! It’s hard to put down. I’ll try to bring some to KH this week.

Yesterday I had my handspinning class at Springwater Fiber Workshop. The instructor was absolutely wonderful! Patient, really knowledgeable, kind and thorough. I loved it. Here’s a pic of my first set of things:

The purple and brown yummy yarn is from Three Waters Farm fiber. I love it!

NYC Haul

The shopping spree began the Friday after Thanksgiving. My DH was kind enough to drop me off on the west side while he met up with his friend for a ride.

Fikret Fabrics - they had Alexander Henry fabrics at 20% off. I picked
up 9 yards in three different patterns. Their prices were quite low.

Beads World - quite organized and great selection of basics. They had
an awesome selection of base metal chain and other findings. I
wouldn’t bother buying beads here. I picked up some chain and silver
findings.

Daytona Braids & Trimming
251 West 39th Street
(212) 354-1713

awesome place! walls covered with buttons, ribbons, trimmings you name it. I got embroidered ribbon, rat tail and fabric covered buttons.

Bruce Frank Beads - another favorite. Worth the hike up to upper west side. This place is in a swank area with some pricey offerings. However, their selection was quite impressive. This guy collects vintage beads along with venetian glass beads. I got both and some semiprecious stones. Best of all he is open late 7 days a week.

Tender Buttons
143 62nd St. (Upper East Side)
near Lexington Ave.
212-758-7004

OH MY GOD!!! You must go there! This place is wonderfully clean and organized and filled with boxes of new and vintage buttons. Unbelieveable. Bring your lunch money because you’re going to need it. They had all kinds of stuff! I got old shoe buttons, tiny mother of pearl buttons, vintage Italian and Czech buttons, US nickel buttons, and more. I love this place.

Habu Textiles - quite an interesting set up. These people cater mostly to designers but are kinds enough to offer their products to regular ol’ knitters. You can buy Japanese made yarns by the ounce. I picked up lace weight alpaca and a mohair/silk blend. Yummy stuff.

Kate’s Paperie - I forgot how much I love this place but it’s hard to enjoy it on a Saturday night with other shopping vultures. Pick up their collage bag paper sampler for $20. A great deal for a variety of their papers.

Pippin - Fabulous indeed! I spent at least an hour at this shop on Saturday. I was quite restrained and came out with a few things. I picked up an amber spider brooch, mother of pearl pin and some moonglow earrings. The last two items were $5 each! The place is awesome. I think last weekend was their first day open and their stock was running low but have no fear they’re bringing more out. Most of their stock is still stored away. Another cool thing is they will be selling jewelry components that couldn’t be salvaged as full necklaces, bracelets and such. Oh and as well as vintage buttons. I can’t wait!

A week goes by and I’ve lost touch with my daily reads and email. It’s hard sometimes to keep up with all of the great blogs out there! So, where have I been? Details below…

Trip to Maine

DH and I drove last Tuesday up north. On our way up we stopped in NYC and had dinner. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to stick around and do some shopping. Nor did we have time on our return home. Have no fear though the DH says I can make that a separate trip just for me. Yiipppeee!!

The drive up was wonderful! Not only was the weather just perfect but I got to knit and knit and knit. I finished two Xmas gifts and got to knit more of my poncho —- the never ending poncho. In Maine, we visited Saco, Portland, Kittery, Bath and Augusta. We stayed in Saco and drove around. The area there is really beautiful and the houses are to die for. Just beautiful!

Of course, you can’t have a trip without stopping by some LYS. My first trip was to Halcyon Yarn. A definite stop for anyone into Fair Isle knitting. They have a limited selection of yarn brands BUT every color within the brands they carry. They also have their own line of yarns, which I didn’t care for, and some novelty stuff. This place is also a nice resource for spinning, weaving, rug hooking, felting and books. I bought 3 things of yarn. Can you believe it? I know it’s hard to but their selection was disappointing. I was hoping for more locally made yarns - you know the kind that feels like butter in your hands.

Next I went to Grace Robinson & Company in Freeport. The place was nice with a large selection of all kinds of yarn. However, again very limited selection on locally made yarns. Prices were expensive but the selection was good. Definitely a place for Rowan lovers. My next trip up I will skip both of these and search for the smaller scale producers and handspun makers.

I also got a chance to check out some well-known beading shops in the area. Here’s my review:

Caravan Beads & Fibers - Portland
Basic selection of crystal, wood, bone, glass and pendants. Nothing too exciting and prices were average to expensive. They do sell strands but mostly of semi precious. The cool thing about this place is their selection of yarns and fibers. It’s always nice to combine the two.

The Beadin’ Path - Freeport
Awesome place! Pricey but worth the visit. An enormous selection of vintage Swarovski and lucite. A good selection of pendants, findings, beads, sequins, buttons, etc. I was also impressed with their various items for jewelry making such as ribbons, leather, wire, rings, necklaces, and such. Like I mentioned it’s pricey but a good place to visit for ideas.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST - Vote!!!!!

Go Kerry!