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May I sing the praises of Ravely? Where else does one meet friendly knitters and fiber folks on a daily basis, at your finger tips? I recently “met” the incomparable Deb Robson, she of Nomad Press, Spin Off, Interweave Press, woman for all seasons really, editor, artist, designer, knitter, spinner, author…holy cow…she does it all.

When Deb learned that I lost almost all my books in a house fire, an event she could personally relate to; she lost over a 1,000 books in a flood several years ago; she generously offered to help restock my book stash with almost the whole collection of Nomad Press Books! So generous, I got teary, and when I opened the box of books…a big gulp of gratitude. What gems these books are.

Three are by the grand dame of traditional knitting, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. Two which had burned: Simple Socks and Knitting in the Old Way, the new and improved edition; a must in every knitting library, I’m so happy to have them again! New to me is Spinning in the Old Way…oh dear…drop spindle joy, described in detail… another spinning temptress that one…

Discovery! Exploration! These books just shout out my kind adventure. Two titles in a series called Ethnic Knitting, by Donna Druchunas, covering knitting traditions from around the globe, they’re especially well written, with scholarly introductions followed by clear and inspiring how-tos. Earlier this year Nomad Press had an online blog “book tour”,which you can still follow for a further look. The only book in my gift box not pictured above, is Donna’s book Arctic Lace, which a friend persuaded me to lend to her. I was reluctant because of the book’s ‘light your lace knitting on fire mojo’ and it’s travelogue element  as Donna delves into the history of Native Alaskan knitting and describes what’s happening today. I wanted to read it on the spot, needles in hand! I relented because I heard you can’t put it down once you start it, and I have several projects I should be knitting…not reading…so now there are only 5 new books to distract me.

Thank You Deb!

I always like to have a pretty hat for hunting season. I don’t hunt but I walk in the woods, and here in Maine you can be ticketed if you’re not wearing 2 items of Blaze Orange. I’ve been inspired to cable since taking Annie Modesitt’s Cable Mania class. I hope to finish this hat this morning, for my trek up Bald Rock at noon.

…Trouble is, I’m distracted by Breton Food…a friend is coming over to make Galettes … and we’ve included a few more guests, so I decided to make Far Breton for desert in addition to the planned Apple Pie…and well, fearful there won’t be enough food, and since galettes are a sort of “hurry up and wait” kind of food – one-at-a-time cooking – I’ve got a leg of lamb in the oven, baking with hard cider for 7 hours.

Never…I never overcompensate!

Living proof that chainsaw wielding, brush clearing men will sport tasseled caps and caps with cute animals knitted into them. My husband always rolls his hats up if they are not meant to be folded, or does not fold them if they should be. After 20 years I’ve never perfected the hat he will wear as intended, they require his personal tweaks.

Yesterday’s stellar weather had us cleaning up some seaside land in preparation for our friend’s new project. The cute little camp is sadly beyond repair, though we salvaged the shutters for a little fence…I wanted the curtains, dotted red and 60’s stripes, but they fell apart on touch.

And what did another friend bring for lunch? Durian….stinky but good….if a little surprising!

Today? Snow!

For a good long while, Astrig, of Fiber College, and I, plotted and schemed for a Rhinebeck Adventure! And as these things go, every little plan seemed to change. Adaptable women that we are, we went anyway. And what an adventure it was! Brilliant sun shone on our trip southeast, where we spent the evening in the Berkshires with Astrig’s in laws, gracious hosts who are both incredible artists and curatorial collectors – see their toy nook above, just a hint of the visual treasures displayed in their home. We watched a Twyla Tharp/Baryshnikov video from the 80’s one I had actually seen in real life, such fun. It brought back a flood of memories I’d almost forgotten, painting silk for costumes Oscar de la Renta designed for a Jerome Robbins/Twyla Tharp collaboration.

The next day, almost to Rhinebeck, Astrig and I happened upon Another Fork In The Road, a roadside surprise that serves locally grown food, with clean creative preparation. We had a yummish meal which included exceptional french fries. At last, we made it, Rhinebeck!  Astrig took the class, Spinning Leicester Longwool, while I lamented the lack of wi-fi.. which forced me (not) to settle down and knit already.

We drove through snow to spend Thursday evening with Alice Seeger, weaver, spinner and hostess supreme! She an her husband, a musician, have housed Rhinebeckers every year since the get-go, generous folks the Seegers. We relaxed with homemade soup, lovely wine and interesting conversation, and they showed us one of the more unusual and unexplained birthday gifts we’d ever encountered – a Cheeze-its box full of colorful coiled rope. But honestly, when you think about it, what a great gift.

The next day Astrig and I took Cablemania, with Annie Modesitt. You know how I love taking classes, almost as much as teaching, well Annie’s got a great class narrated with funny stories that helped us remember the techniques she teaches. Well worth taking, even though we did get in trouble for talking amongst ourselves.  Sorry Annie, but mainly thanks Annie!

Reunited! Yay! Patti, my college roommate and I! We went to Pratt Institute in Fort Green, Brooklyn back in the days when the neighborhood was pretty sketchy. It was like no time had passed, only instead of the wilds of Brooklyn, now we both live in country wilderness, I’m in the wilds of Maine, and Patti, lives in an even more remote area on a steep hillside in the Catskills with an incredible breathtaking view. I met her sweet sweetheart who was prepared to rescue us should we get up to some of our old tricks. We had a grand time in her colorful art-filled home, over dinner with her cats, and her funny dog who likes to be pulled on his back through the long grass. I didn’t get to meet Red Cat, the elusive neighbor who lives in a picturesque, abandoned out building…next time. And Patti, if you read this, Greg and Marla insist on an Alibi Club rendezvous sometime in December, let’s go!

Saturday Patti and I hit the festival where we hooked up with the fabulous women of Twist Collective, hanging out in the artichoke line. We also caught up with lovely Gudrun and met her beautiful friend Julie. I think for all of us the most fun was seeing our garments “in the wild” and show and telling our “Rhinebeck Sweaters” (see us here, on the Twist Collective Blog).

Sadly, I received some tragic news from a beloved friend, and so decided to leave unexpectedly early. Though I would have liked to stay and explore the grounds and attend the Ravelry party….I have no regrets, I’m just thankful for an organized train system that allowed me to  be with my friend when she needed me most.

Before I left, I said my good byes to Astrig, who introduced Patti and I to Kathryn Alexander. She is GREAT! I can’t wait to take one of her classes. Patti and I had total Astrig-envy, one of the lucky ones who took Kathryn’s sold out class “Using Fresh Twist Energy to Create New Knit Surface”.  Time to spin, someday soon, maybe Madrona, yes please.