Sunday, October 07, 2007

Oh, Oh, Oh, Celtic Memory Is A Calendar Girl!

Some rather exciting news that I'm allowed to share with you. I'm so thrilled I can hardly believe I'm typing this! Sorry, I really do have to shout.


MY POMATOMUS SOCKS ARE GOING TO BE ON THE NEW KNITTY CALENDAR!

Yes, yes, YESSS. Back last August I remembered that the closing date was nigh and hauled my friend Eileen off into the woods of Gougane Barra for a photo shoot. DH was much amused but understood that this was something in which he couldn't be involved, and waved us away with lots of good advice.


Well, if I didn't know it before, I sure know it now - it is not all that easy to take stunning pictures of socks. Especially when you have half a dozen dogs romping around (Eileen runs a brilliant kennels where our lot stay when we're away, and they regard it as their home from home. It means several dogs always accompany her on trips, and since mine demand to come too, it gets a bit lively.) We clambered up and down rocks, into mossy damp forests, splashed through streams. At one point I got what I thought was a good picture of Eileen balancing precariously on an ancient moss-covered stone wall - only to fall backwards myself down a concealed rabbit hole. When we were both thoroughly soaked and muddy and hysterical, we came home, changed into dry clothes, went out and did it all over again.

But it was worth it. One of the pictures was deemed worthy of inclusion. Can't show it to you since I've been asked not to, prior to the official announcement (it was OK to tell you, though!) but am absolutely dying for the big day when the whole calendar is launched.

I'm trying to be offhand and casual but I can't. SQUEEEEEE!!!!!

OK, moment of self-indulgence over. To other matters. The new Atlantis yarn has been listed on eBay. Moiraeknittoo asked in my last posting if I could email a link - would have, gladly, but you didn't give me an address. Here is the id number: that may bring it up.

170156632616

If not, go into Crafts, Knitting, Yarns, and then type in Celtic Memory. Listed some of that covetable cashmere/silk too (although not in the natural shade, all that is being kept for my Starmore St. Enda, go away, you can't have it!), and a couple of mohairs. Gotta make space prior to Ally Pally!


Found some wonderful cabled kneesocks on the Drops site:





which were promptly downloaded for future use (the desktop folder marked 'Socks' is getting a little full...)

And a nifty cabled scarf -







I mean, a girl has to have a few projects in the pipeline, doesn't she? Would be too too dreadful for words if a rainy afternooon came along and one had the rocking chair, the pack of biscuits (US=cookies) - and NO NEW PROJECT. What a ghastly thought!


Both of these were entirely the fault, once more, of the always-elegant Angeluna, who, having read of my wild desire for a new jacket, suggested I might like to look at a Drops design for one. I did, it was ideal -






- and I should have stopped surfing right there. But I didn't, hence the accompanying scarf and socks.


Speaking of Angeluna, just look what arrived in the post for me the other day.








Some of that amazing Kraemer Silk & Silver - how will I ever have the courage to dye that? And a skein of Some Assembly Required merino/tencel, especially hand-dyed for me to Angeluna's strict instructions! Was any Celtic Memory ever so spoiled? A, you're a star.


I somehow forgot to mention a few more additions to the stash lately, some via the Net (it's all the fault of the Net, it can hardly be my weak will), and some via the Little Yarn Shop in the Far West, aka Spin a Yarn.





I'd called in to see Jo and Jean at Spin a Yarn and they had the new Araucania sock yarn in. Well, how could I leave that mossy green behind? And then I saw this lovely pale-green Stella silk/cotton from Debbie Bliss and remembered I'd seen a girl in a supermarket wearing the simplest of short sweater/shrugs in just that shade over a white top, and looking spectacular. So some of that had to come home too. You know, for the rainy afternoon.



And so pleasant to work with am I finding the Austermann Step that I broke down and ordered two more shades from my nice friends at Paradise Fibers.





Good heavens, how did that Misti Pima Cotton get in there? Must have been an error - somebody else's order perhaps? Oh well, it's here now...

Thank you so much for the advice on US size O wooden circulars for plane trips. Searched everywhere, but can't find anyone admitting to stocking (or even manufacturing) this size in that material in a circular. Further guidance and directions much welcomed. I'll hunt at the Knit & Stitch Show but don't have much hope.

Rho, thank you so much for suggesting that I offload my Knit & Stitch stash at the nearest DHL or FedEx and let them take the strain of shipping it back to West Cork. Oh if only those were possible options in the frantic crowded surroundings of a North London suburb with only minutes to spare before dashing to the airport! My mind reverts longingly to wide, sunny shopping malls in Florida or California, where you alight from your car, stroll into the welcoming coolness of a centre dedicated entirely to the purpose of helping you offload your onward-travelling items, and let them look after everything. (I remember so well that one in San Diego whither I dashed on the very first morning of Sock Madness, to get my Mad Cow pattern printed out, and they refused to charge me even a cent for it, what lovely people!) Oh they do have DHL and FedEx and everything else in London, I have no doubt. We have them in Cork. But it takes time, travel, a lot of searching and an AWFUL lot of hassle, even when you have a day to spare. Might check for a local post office in the area between Ally Pally and the Tube, but inner-city London is definitely not super-convenient and spacious America! And before you ask, yes, to my eyes even New York appears far less crowded and hassled than London.

Still working furiously on the Noro Halfobi (despite whispered endearments from adorable charcoal Shetland, as well as its close but somewhat more aristocratic charcoal cousin, a cone of 90% lambswool, 10% cashmere...) and piteous glances from the Austermann Step Faggot & Cable Socks. No no, I cry resolutely, onward and upward to wearing the Halfobi at the Knit & Stitch Show.




(They say that if you visualise the happy result, it encourages you to put in the preliminary donkey work. Hope they're right.)

27 comments:

Angeluna said...

Brava! Well, I must admit that was a gorgeous pair of Pomatomi. And your photos were fantastic if I remember correctly. Now, as you were traipsing around the woods and through streams and falling down rabbit holes, "Alice", I'm assuming you were NOT wearing the precious merchandise. Which meant you would have to *sit down and gently tug the Poms on, try to get a photo, remove socks, move locations, repeat from *.

We are so proud of you. Jo, our very own Calendar Girl!! Have a blast in London. You need to sew 100 pockets inside an old raincoat and stuff each with your treasures. You will appear to be a very overweight lady, but it should get you on the plane with your fibers intact. Dumb question, but what is it you NEED at this show?

Barbara-Kay said...

Congratulations - YOUR photo, not Hubby's photo, to boot!

Get behind me, knitter! Now I must add that lovely Drops scarf to my to-do list. Printer is a-humming as I type. VBG!

pacalaga said...

I LOVE the Drops patterns! Thanks (or curse you?) for reminding me.
Jo, Knitpicks Harmony line (just announced) is wood - laminated birch, and they go down to size US0 (2mm) in 16", 24" and 32" lengths. You couldn't get them in time for Ally Pally, but I'd be happy to post them to you if you'd like.
Here's a link.
Congratulations on the Pomatomi! What a neat thing to have on your knitting resume!

rho said...

Whoo Hooo!!! can't wait to see the Calendar! Congratulations.

I really really hate to admit it here but I just happen to have 2 sets of Knit Picks wooden circulars in US 0 in 32 inch -- I could send them to you but since tomorrow is a holiday I don't think it would get to you in time for Ally Pally. Even overnight it would probably get there Thurs or Friday. But if you like I can get to the PO first thing Tuesday Morning.

I know I know I am incurable when it comes to needles - especially wooden ones when they came out I HAD to have a set.

And ACCCKK more crowded than NYC I couldn't stand it....

Anonymous said...

Our very own celebrity!!! Congratulations on the calandar. I was much amused by the back story...the price of fame. Have fun at Ally Pally, (I feel a motherly warning coming on) but don't take up with every skein that smiles at you...you could get in trouble. :-)

Charity said...

Congratulations on the calendar, how thrilling! :0)

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Love your writing style...and here's another plug for the Knit Picks Harmony wooden needles. I started with the O, 1, 2 circulars (30") and then ordered the whole set. I am currently working with the 10.5 on the Hemlock lapghan. These are wonderful - sharp, lightweight, smooooooth, and absolutely beautiful. I had best desist, as I am beginning to sound like a paid advertisement. (not so) Keep on regaling us with life a la Celtic Memory...

Anonymous said...

All lovely yarns and patterns, but I do think the Halfobi deserves the trip to London. That's a lovely colorway of Silk Garden (says the woman who has made herself THREE sweaters of the stuff).

KimK said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to see your photo in the new calendar. That is excellent news!

Cindy/Snid said...

Congrats!!!!!!!! Well deserved, I am sure.
I am also loving the Drops Jacket. What an elegant and yet casual design. Gorgeous. Darn you!! I have never heard of them before. I didn't really need another item to queue ;)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! How exciting to be a published photographer! Maybe you soaked up some of DH's skills. Love the cabled scarf - I'll have to look that one up for myself!

Ronni said...

Congratulations on the calender! The Knit Picks Harmony needles http://preview.tinyurl.com/2y4vg8 do come in a size 0 (US) in a 16 inch length but the whole range are apparently very popular so are out of stock right now. But if you don't get some from another source and you can't get them shipped to you by Knit Picks, let me know and I'll be happy to get in the queue for some and send them on to you when they arrive if you want to try a pair.

Ronni said...

Whoops. I meant, I have one in the 16 inch length. But only the one unfortunately, I wanted to try them before committing. That may have been a mistake. They also have them in 24 and 32 inches but they are all on a back order status now I think. The offer to order and ship to you if necessary stands though.

Tracy said...

Congratulations on getting your socks in the Knitty calendar! Now THAT is a real accomplishment. As for shipping yarn from London--you might try checking with the Knit and Stitch organizers to see if they offer a shipping service directly from the show. Many of the academic conferences I've been to have offered such a service right from the exhibits hall, so it may be possible that the K&S folks do, too. If nothing else, maybe you'll plant the idea in their minds for next year.

Anonymous said...

Falling down the rabbit hole was just the trick for you. Can't wait to see your Pomatomus photo in the calendar!

Do an online search for a Fed-Ex place near Pally Ally. Where will you be staying? Perhaps you could arrange to have your stash picked up from there.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the photo going into the calendar!!!! Oh, I am so thrilled for you! Thank you for letting *us* soak up some of the glee -- it's priceless. :)

After reading the comments so far, I must say you have inspired great affection and generosity in your readers. A group I'm pleased to belong to.

Lynn said...

OK, was going to rave on about the KnitPicks "Harmony" needles, which I got to handle at the last gathering of the Sisters of the Wool, but I see that several others have beaten me to the punch. I don't own any *yet*, but they're on my to-buy list.

Lene said...

Congratulations for having socks in the calendar!!! And enjoy Ally Pally and all its offerings!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo, congratulations! (And did you have to wash the socks during the photo-shoot? [g]) The Drops site is deadly, but remember, the patterns are free - no guilt! And doesn't the Auraucania come in gorgeous colors? Ohmy.

Another idea for wearing yarn home from Ally Pally.... You've got the head and neck covered, but what about legs? Just twine some skeins around your calves, and loftily inform security that they're the latest fashion in legwarmers. They are coming back, after all! Heck, you might be able to get two on each leg.

Maybe better wear a skirt... ;)

Dez Crawford said...

Congratulations! Green with envy, I am. But those Pomatomus socks are mighty fine, and you deserve the accolades. Yay you!

Sigh. I do love all the cable everything. And I couldn't have left the moss-colored yarn behind either -- nor the teal-and rust hand dyed, which is just exquisite.

I love the peeks into your life. I want to come over and play!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Calendar success! I can't wait for the release :)

Marianne said...

Congratulations on your socks making it into the calendar! Woot!

Roggey said...

Congratulations, dearheart! See, now I *have* to send those beads =) You absolutely deserve thme!

Terrie D. (StarSpry) said...

Congratulations on getting into the Knitty calendar!

That cabled scarf looks awesome!

Robynn said...

Well congratulations, how very exciting! I'll be sure to look out for that picture.

But really I just stopped by to say thanks for looking me up at Ally Pally - it was wonderful to start the show with such a friendly welcome. Much appreciated, and a pleasure to meet you.

yakiduk said...

Try this link for your wooden circulars...

http://www.knitpicks.com/Harmony+Wood+Fixed+Circular+Knitting+Needles%3cbr%3eUS+Sizes+0+-+11_NDKPFixedCabWD.html

TutleyMutley said...

congratulations Jo!