Rhinebeck Bus Trip 2014

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

More Thoughts on Fiber People...

I know I already talked about fiber people, and I'm sure you already know this.  But, seriously.  Fiber people are so nice and so willing to help people!  There are many examples of this...

As some of you may know, Stephanie aka The Yarn Harlot, rides in a bike rally each year (well, she has, for the past few years).  The ride is from Toronto to Montreal and is 600 km (that's over 372 miles!) long.  They raise money for people living with AIDS/HIV.  Her team, so far, has raised over $85,000.00!  This is, largely, due to fiber people donating $5, $10, whatever they can.  If you're interested in donating, go here.  If you do, be sure to email Steph and she'll enter your name into a drawing for a karmic balancing gift.  Last year I won a hand-woven scarf that was woven just for me (I got to pick out the colors and certain style elements)!  Check out the end of this post, which gives you instructions on entering for the karmic balancing gifts.

Last week, for the first time, I visited Flying Fibers yarn shop.  If you're in the Lancaster County area, visit it.  The staff are very friendly and helpful.  There's room to sit & knit (or spin).  They have some wonderful yarn and fiber.  Both of the owners raise fiber animals, so they have a lot of knowledge of fiber (how it works, best uses for certain types, etc), dyeing, spinning, knitting, crochet.  If you've never tried it, you have to try the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Shop Yarn (the company is in Yorkshire England).  This is a hard wearing yarn.  I'm currently knitting a swatch with it & I keep envisioning a jacket type sweater. 

Last night, I attended my first Red Rows Knitting Guild meeting.  The Guild members are fun, and welcoming and so helpful!  At each meeting, they ask if anyone needs any help with a project they're working on.  If someone does, they pair that person with a member who can help them.  Also at the meetings, they have speakers.  Last night, it was Jere, from Flying Fibers.  She talked about different fibers and their characteristics.  It was very informative.  She brought yarn along, for us to feel - everything from wool to corn yarn.

I'm always happy to find "my" people - fiber people.  People who think it's totally normal to always have some fiber & needles with you.  People who "get" the need to cast on several projects.  People who appreciate the time and the thought that go into hand-made items.

Finally, I leave you with a picture of my CSA share from last week.  Summer is here and the crops are becoming ripe.  This share included:  head lettuce, loose lettuce, kale, cucumbers (there are 2 green cukes and the brown thing is also a cuke - I forget the type), broccoli, summer squash, snow peas, blueberries, strawberries, scallions, and garlic scapes.