Knit PH at Perk: Nov 15

Dammit! I kept making the same mistakes — twisted spines, wrong stitch count, cables traveling in the wrong direction. Usually I correct these same mistake when I teach at Stitch Therapy. Maria said it was good to see the teacher mess up now and then. Jennifer worked on her first cable hat. Edna plopped down her Organic Chemistry textbook and pulled out her baby sweater. Archie started another "Koolhass" hat. Eliza worked on her cardigan with the ruffled edge. Maria brought her friend Jackie along with their loot of Koigu and Tahki “Ghost”. Kate abandoned the Louet Sales “Euroflax” tunic and started a new blue pullover. It was a brisk evening, but it was warm at Prospect Perk.

I like the Perk, it feels a bit like home, but much cleaner — it's cozy and warm. It’s become integral to our neighborhood corner. The owner, Murat, keeps the café open until 9:00 for Thursday night knitting.

Emily finished her fingerless cashmerino mittens but they were a bit loose. She let them sit in warm water but there was no visible difference. Since they were only 50% wool I suggested boiling (but not felting) for 40 minutes. Emily made a test swatch to boil. Good thinkin’ Lincoln, there is no going back after that.

Edna found a yarn spinning service. She plans on spinning yarn from her cat — to make it a small blanket. Is she serious? She’s studying to be a vet, I guess that’s OK.

VIP Fibers, Inc. in Morgan Hill, CA will spin your precious pet into luxurious yarn. LOT #1581D is made of pure Newfoundland. LOT #1580D German Shepherd and Main Coon Cat. With the proper care instructions you can keep your pet "Fur-Ever™". It's the harvesting that breaks your heart. We laughed about other exotic yarns you can have spun, like dog hair/dryer lint — imagine a Puggle/Persian sweater. I also found Blackberry Ridge, a family owned spinnery in Vermont, WI. They will spin anything as long as you have a minimum of 50 pounds. A treasure waits in every vacuum cleaner. Jackie bought some very soft bison/yak yarn upstate, but said it was very expensive. I assume that “Buffalo Shaver” is a high-mortality profession. There is one spinner in our group, Toko. She bought a small wheel in Rhinebeck at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival — the woolen version of "Burning Man".