Monday, August 20, 2007

Revival was EXCELLENT

I have been on a go-slow with the knitting this summer (it was too hot, I have too much stash, I want to make stuff out of silver...leading to self-castigation for having too many hobbies, a messy house, a depleted bank account, and no finished objects, it feels like, ever, in any medium) and did not connect this with an increasing tendency to gnash my teeth and mutter. I knew I missed the lively social life of digging (is it lively, if you are grateful for one another's company, happy to eat together, and stagger off to bed at 8:30, totalled on two glasses of wine?). So I began to think what impractical thing might help and there was Julia.
For some reason the plea for chairs brought it to life for me and I decided to go to the Revival. After a summer of relative chastity, I spent too much money at the Elegant Ewe (the Woven-Stitch Kimono-style sweater in Noro)on Friday, and I feared this was the beginning of a binge. I was mostly okay though -- fortunately, there were not too many vendors at the revival and 4 oz of roving and a pair of needles is hardly anything, right? And I blame Cate for the roving; I was looking for help when I complained that there was a completely unlike-me colorway (neon green +) of roving at Heather's booth, and damn if three minutes later Cate didn't decide she needed to see it. And then she suggested we could make matching socks (although I think she may make four little ones instead of two big ones). It does spin like a dream.

It was wonderful to see people from faraway Northampton and people I know and like whose last names and homes I have no idea of. And Kelly's baby, to say nothing of Kelly. I have almost met the Island Pond Spinners enough to recognize them now.

I noticed that similar makes of spinning wheel seemed to clump together. No Majas were in evidence, but more Schacts than I would have expected (they don't seem very portable, but I must be mistaken). Three darling Victorias, some Lendrums, our small ode to Joys (three in a row).

Sarah felt bad because all around her people were spinning wild colors and she was doing white. She is intending to make a handspun, naturally-dyed Bohus sweater and spinning white for a LONG TIME is part of the deal. I can't wait to see it. It will be my own fault that that will take longer because she decided she also needed to knit the Kimono thing (which the Ewe really needs to put up on its website). I spent Sunday muttering until I finally just gave in and knit instead of doing anything useful, and Doug is knitting a new floor for the chicken coop, I think the wood is 4-ply...

Real life. Bah.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was wonderful to see you there, I'm so glad you came! And I fell for that Kimono too, last time I was in the Elegant Ewe! We'll be kimono twins.

Unknown said...

The kimono is gorgeous. I want one but have managed to "be strong" thus far. Am beginning to think it isn't going to last.

Oh, and as for the "too many hobbies, not enough finished objects..."--join the club. It appears to be going around. I blame work--or at least the building :)

Anonymous said...

As usual, I didn't get to spend enough time with all of the people I wanted to. It was great to see you and I hope to again very soon!

Marcy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marcy said...

Sarah should've looked three people to her left. I was spinning whitewhite Icelandic and silk all day.

What an Excellent day out it was!

Anonymous said...

I wish we had a chance to chat....it was great seeing you though!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, real life sux. I also bought that pattern in July at TKGA. Even got to try on the sample in a size that fit me.

It was good to see you.