Today was our post-Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival knitting meetup. It was small; Jo was there, and then I showed up a bit late. We had fun chatting and knitting. I was working on my second-ever sock, and Jo was knitting a sock from her own handspun yarn. It was lovely!
Jo mentioned that her spinning wheel is really quite portable and I think she’s going to bring it next time! I’ve always wanted to observe spinning up close so this will be a real treat for me. Our next meetup will be the first Saturday in June.
In one of those “small world” moments, we discovered that Jo’s husband Pete went to high school and graduated with my husband, John. What’s more, they’re both obsessed with model building! (And, we wives know, REALLY into model kit collecting! So not much need to complain about our stashes, eh?) Turns out that Jo’s hubby is into military models, and mine is into all things car-related, but still… it’s a similar passion.
Four o’clock came too quickly for me and I am already looking forward to next month, when I can see Jo again and her spinning wheel. Hmmm. Spinning yarn whilst spinning yarns. Now there’s a pun I’m sure no one has said before!
Stash Enhancement
I finally got this yarn in the mail on Tuesday! It’s Regia Nation Colors #5399. I got it from a shop called Web of Wool, and I’m not sure about the exchange rate but I think I got it for a good price. It took nearly a month to get from them to me, but I don’t do much overseas shopping so I don’t know how long it’s supposed to take. The Yarn Harlot featured a pair of socks made from this yarn on the date that I appeared as a member of the First Sock Brigade (see April 8, 2008, post entitled, “Two for One”), and I knew immediately that I must have this yarn. It took me a few days to figure out what it was and then find it. (Several stores I had checked with were sold out–they say once a yarn’s been “Harlotted” there’s usually a run on it. Ok, so does that make me a follower?)
Truth is, regular readers already know I’m a bit of a rainbow fanatic. So, I could not get just enough to make one pair, because I know as soon as I do knit with it? A couple other folks in my world will see it and want some rainbow socks, too. So, I have six balls, just for insurance. Even that might not be enough.
This weekend I plan to go through my last tub of acrylic yarn. The art teacher at DD’s school teaches knitting and weaving, and she said she can always use some more yarn. So I’m gonna bite the big one and get rid of it. I’ve got plenty of other new yarn around here to keep me busy!
Today we had our second Knitting Group Meetup at the Borders in Bowie. A lovely assortment of people were able to join us. It’s funny, but most of the folks from last month weren’t able to join us, but a whole other crop of folks did! So maybe one of these times both sets of folks will be able to come and then we’ll be on our way to a big group. It was lots of fun! At one point, another lady who saw us knitting came up and asked questions about our group, and she said she’ll be joining us in June! This photo is of Marie, Diana and Trish. Marie was knitting a lovely 
This is Charlotte, mother of one of Diana’s skating buddies. I didn’t know she was a knitter until she mentioned it a few weeks ago so I invited her to come along. Here Charlotte is knitting a sweater in the round on some lovely, soft yarn.
This is Lola, showing her amazing colorful vest. (It looks like it’s at least inspired by Alice Starmore, if it isn’t a Starmore, which I forgot to ask. Maybe I’ll check her Ravelry projects and see.) While in group today, Lola worked on her 
This is my mom, Pat. She worked on a crocheted baby hat today, but is learning to knit and is doing very well. It was great to have her along, and she really seemed to enjoy talking with everyone. The sweater that matches the hat is beautiful, and the recipient will be one well dressed baby!
The ladies admired my Ravelry button and are all hoping to get one before the 