Belated Spring Fling Fun

Forget until today to look for the Loopy Webcam picture of IggyLinda and I at Loopy Ewe. Well, here we are and the answer to the mileage from there to Australia is (drum roll, please) 15,000 plus miles. WOW!

What Did I Get Knit at the Fling?

I know you are all asking, So, what did you get at the Fling? From the Loopy Ewe?

My list contained some fun projects that I shopped for and here is a sampling of my "haul".

First, (in the picture above) here are some yarns that have no project yet; the yellow is for socks and the color was inspired by a fabulous shawl someone was wearing, it is the last color that I would buy for myself but I had to have this. In the middle is the skein of the new Loopy Ewe Self Striping yarn that Sheri gifted to all of us. The line should be coming out in early fall, watch for it at the shop. And last, is the skein of Wollmeise from Germany, Claudia was able to join us this year so it was very special to have this in our goody bags.

Next is the Malabrigo Sock Yarn for the Pinkerton. I can hardly wait to have time to work on this one. I will have to review the wrap turn technique before I begin.

I also got yarn for the Vogue Eyelet Hat that I have wanted to knit for I while. I hope to have it done by fall.

And the other project pictured is the Age of Steam and Brass that I am going to do in Lorna's Laces Sport. Of course, you are correct when you sense that there is a color theme. The yellow was the only thing I bought that did not fit the norm for me. Oh well, what can I say? I am purple-sessed.

And I did buy some other yarns but they are for secret projects, more on them later. I hope everyone has fun, new fibers to play with~!

Entrelac - Learned a New Technique at Fling Class

 For my class at the Fling I chose Entrelac Basics with JC Briar. It was enlightening. I learned how to read the charts and to knit backwards which makes it go so much faster when you do not turn your work every two stitches.

The book I had gotten on the technique is by Gwen Bortner and has many fun projects that I will find time for in the future.

I hope everyone has found something fun and new to learn~!

Royal Wedding at Spring Fling and a Visit to Loopy Ewe

Glad we got up an hour earlier than the advertised wedding start time in the Central Time Zone because it really started at 5 a.m. It was great to see the ceremony without the talking heads interference and with a member of the Commonwealth because she could explain some of the monarchy protocol of which we were not familiar.

We had pjs and pearls, coffee, fruit and will save the wine for this afternoon. Then it was off to breakfast and class or the trip to Loopy for some. I had the morning off to update the blog and knit on my moebius wrap, the Smultsrona, that I am now more than half way done. I really want to finish it and wear it home, we shall see.

My trip to Loopy was this afternoon and I  am happy to report that I got all the yarn for the projects that I had specified and stayed within my budget. The shop is fabulous and the customer service is stellar. If you have the opportunity to visit them in person you really should go, if not shop them online.

The Arch, Check-In, Meet and Greet, Dessert(s) and Sock Balls

We gathered in the lobby for breakfast and to plan our morning trip to the Gateway Arch. The strange yellow ball in the sky signified that we had better weather to attempt the trip downtown.

The poor GPS had not been notified that the river drive that is the scenic route to the Arch was flooded so after a few U-turns and the Arch in sight we managed to get to the north end parking garage. And walked along the upper river walk to the south entry point. Our timing was perfect and we entered, bought tickets and went right to the top.

It is quite the thing to look at from the ground up and then look down from the viewing windows. And gives me an added perspective for when I watch Category 6, the weather disaster movie where the Arch is destroyed by a tornado.

Atferwards we took pictures and basked in the sun, people-watching, before we returned to the hotel for a bite of lunch and to check in for the Flingg.

It was great to meet and greet Flingers old and new while exchanging oohs and aahs over their knitwear. The evening progressed into snacks and a drink for supper and a yummy dessert bar before the much anticipated sock ball exchange, more knitting and meeting new folks.

 

We tried for an early bedtime since we planned an early morning of royal wedding watching. All in all, a great beginning to the Fling.

Travel Day and the Tornado Damage in STL

Drove through a snowstorm to the airport and did a Park and Fly at the Microtel. The new management there is wonderful and I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs to do this for their travel plans.

Arrived at the airport at O-dark-30, did you know that the desks do not open for check-in until 4:30 a.m. Yes, I waited in line with some that were complaining that they should open earlier. The line I was in was at least 60 deep with bags to check and it only took 12 minutes once they opened the desk. Pretty good if you ask me. Then I got to go through a body scanner for the first time. It was -- interesting but not as bad as everyone was whining about when it started. TSA agents do not look like they enjoy their jobs, another job option I can cross off my list.

Then it was go to the waiting area after I found water bottles to take on the plane. Loopy enjoyed his photo ops with the Tornado Shelter sign, something everyone should note the location of especially after what happened in St. Louis last Friday. When we queued up for boarding the TSA came through for a pat down. Interesting, I wonder what that is all about. I told them next time I expect hot rocks massage and not just a frisking, at least that gal had more humor about her job.

My plane knitting project was to finish the Siren Sleeves because I may need to wear them this weekend. It is not supposed to be too warm.

I got to share the row with a vet out of Granby who was delivering a 12-week old buff-colored cocker spaniel to his new family on Cape Cod. He was so sweet and slept in his carrier under the seat all the way to St. Louis, She breeds and shows cocker spaniels and is a recent transplant from north of Boston.

The damage at the St. Louis Airport is impressive, the surrounding area is covered in plywood, blue tarps, glass shards and downed trees. I am so glad I missed that particular storm. The crews on the ground are working double time to get things cleaned up and back to normal. It is quite a sight to see.

I managed to get on the first shuttle to the hotel that came by and checked into my room early. Now I am waiting for my cohorts to arrive from the north so we can go to the Arch this afternoon. The Sheraton Westport Plaza has gone through a complete redo and it is beautiful. This time I want to go down to the Chalet on the lake and have a drink at their bar so I can say I have been there.

We went out to dinner at Pappy's Smokehouse downtown. It was really good and while we were there we watched a slice of St. Louis culture walk by our table in line to order their own yummy dinners. It was lots of fun.

Spring Fling Checklist

So much to do, I better get busy.

Before I go, I have to complete the following tasks:

Pedro delivered to Camp Mouse with food and gear - check

House cleaned, fresh linens on bed, laundry done - check

Basic clothing items gathered and added to check baggage - check

Patterns chosen and wishlist printed for shopping at Loopy Ewe - check

Travel knitting project chosen and packed into Monroe bag - check

Little gifts for roomie assembled and packaged - check

Trip-It with travel confirms and information updated and shared with Camp Mouse - check

Electronics charged and ready for travel day - check

St. Louis Airport open after tornado on Good Friday - waiting for Monday to find out.

February? When Did This Happen?

My, how the year is flying. It is already February and I have done 7 classes, learned how to knit mittens through trial and error, prepped at least 4 projects for Olympic events and have begun making preparations for the Loopy Spring Fling in April.

I think that is a lot done for one month. Sometimes I have to sit down and evaluate it like that or I believe that I have not been as productive as I would like to be. Anyone else have that problem?

The weather here has been mild for winter so I expect some great spring snows with any luck at all. We really need the moisture.

And I am beginning the month on a positive note: Lots to knit during the Olympics, more fun classes, and lots of progress on some shop sample projects. All in all, a great way to spend the shortest month of the year. Best get to it. Happy projecting to all~!

100 Days til Launch

I am so excited to be a part of this upcoming event. I am busy planning what simple knits to take with me and what I want to learn while there. I hope to meet lots of new like-minded folks and make some new fiber friends.

I hope everyone has exciting events to look forward to this year!