Shrug

I just got a phone call from Aunt Sherri. She and her husband own a farm in Petosky, MI. Anyway, she just called and let me know that she has 2 angora goats coming to the farm. I am so excited! She is learning to shear the goats, an I will be receiving the fiber, in exchange for making her and her husband different things. I absolutely love bartering.

On the other side of the family, we just had our Boardman/Hallman family reunion. The last time we all got together was 20 years ago. Much fun was had by all, and I am excited to say that we plan on doing another reunion before 20 more years have passed. We shall see.

I finally got around to typing up my summer sock pattern. This will be the first pattern I have ever posted on the internet. I think I am a little nervous. Here is a picture of them. I have to say, I always feel like I am missing something in the summer, since I cannot wear my normal knit socks. Usually I go around barefoot. But sometimes, you just need the comfort of something familiar. I found that the lace pattern on the top really helped let air get to my feet. They don’t get too hot, and the cuff is at just the right height to protect my feet from my shoes but not to give me terrible tan lines. I just think they are comfy.

Anyway, here is the Sarah’s Summer Socks Pattern. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think.

It has been absolutely crazy around the Martin household. The kids are finally on Summer Vacation, and they are already driving me insane. We have started geocaching, which is way too much fun, and it gives us the time to spend together. It is amazing how easy it is to go our seperate ways at the moment.

I realize that I had made a resolution to update this more often, and I admit that I don’t update primarily because no one reads this. However, people are starting to prod me in my fiber related activities, and I need a place to share all the fun. Recently, my friend Joyce asked me to bring my yarn and wheel to her art show. The reaction I got from that just boosted me to new heights. It has given me the initiative that I have been lacking. For that I will be forever in Joyces debt. While I only sold 2 skeins of yarn, many people asked about my spinning and knitting, and the reactions I got was very positive.

Ron has been another great supporter. For the past 6 months he has been prodding me to create a class to teach at the local knit store. In his mind, who better to teach a class than someone who loves to knit and has a background in education. So I am currently creating a class to teach knitting with beads. I apparently already have a student. Like I said, the support I have around here is wonderful.

The last group that I want to give a shout out to is my knitting friends. They are encouraging me to start designing. So if any of them happen to see this, thank you, and I plan on writing up the pattern to my summer socks and posting it here. It will be my official first posted pattern. And just because this has been an amazingly text heavy post, I will leave you with a beautiful picture of my spindle and the current fiber I am spinning.

It will soon be made into the undulating scarf from Spin Off  Magazine.