Sunday, September 23, 2007

Endless scarves...

So I finished scarves for two very special guys a month or so ago.. took pictures of them.. finally sent them out a few days ago. Yes, I'm very bad at getting things done sometimes. But here they are...


Generic 1 x 1 Rib Scarf
Joseph Galler Inca Cotton Yarn, c
olor Oz
1 skein?


Though it's simple, I LOVE this scarf. The cotton is so so soft. Quick to knit. Squishy. Not too hot. Organic. And how cool is it that the yarn is that perfect color green.. without dye?! I definitely need to make another - it just seems so rustically luxurious. (Is that possible?)


The next scarf is for an amazing friend who doesn't seem to care if I send him his birthday presents 6 months late. I wanted something simple, green, and wearable, that would accentuate his tallness and shield him from the cold Chicago winds. And tweedishness is always good.


Ticuna
Berroco Ultra Alpaca, color 6277
3 skeins


The picture does it no justice. The color reminds me of dark moss on stone.. carved stone thanks to the cables. But it was a long, tedious knit. And the yarn, while passably soft, could be more so. Overall I'm happy with it, and hope its recipient is too!

Next up are 2 Almost-Famous Luggy Bonnets (from Melanie Falick's Weekend Knitting) for my nieces. Then a sweater or two! (For me!)

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Fall!

Growing up in Florida, I never had the experience of fall. So now I'm thoroughly enjoying the beginnings of my first fall in Maryland! The past few days have been spectacular - clear, humidity-less, crisp. Perfect weather for riding and knitting! Superb nights for hot tea and snuggling under the covers (and oh, how the Squirrel agrees!)... And the house is finally cool enough for soups, baking, and socks. I love it!

And the best is yet to come!


Yesterday, despite round two of a cold that's hitting me hard, I had a fantastic ride on Addy. The wildlife was out - a fox scooted across the ring and some deer passed by us in the woods. Addy was moving well once we warmed up, and I fell in love with her all over again.

She's just so honest, sensitive, and responsive. She doesn't hold grudges. I try to mirror that.. it's not always so easy!

I've found that she works best when I'm not fussing about what she's doing wrong, but when I'm concentrating on riding correctly myself. How can she be off her forehand when I'm looking down? How can she have a soft mouth if I'm always fiddling with it? How can she be soft, happy, and balanced, if I'm not? She can't! For the next few months we're going to be working on the basics.. lots of no stirrup work for me, lots of circles, bending, and leg yielding. Lots of transitions using only the seat. (She always gets stiff and above the bit during a downward transition, which I'm sure is a direct result of me asking incorrectly.)

I learn so much from my Adventure.