Harlot How Late?

Today was the big day when the Yarn Harlot came to Ann Arbor to speak and sign books. She was scheduled to begin speaking at 2:00, I got there about one. I pulled up to the library, got a prime parking spot it was all good so far. When I got through the doors I saw a fellow knitter Jo-Fran from our Tuesday night group. She informed me that the Harlot had been delayed and wouldn't be there until about 4:30. Which sucked for me but sucked a whole lot more for the other knitters that had been there since about 11. What to do? A knitter who knew the area steered some of us to a local yarn shop that was open for business. I killed some time there but didn't buy anything. What next...hmmm food of course. When in doubt eat. I went to the Fleetwood diner and had a delicious tempeh on pita sandwich and sat outside to eat and enjoy the lovely weather.

Afterwards I took a little stroll around downtown Ann Arbor to take in the sights, see if anything was new since I'd been there last. While walking I happened upon a couple of lovely fairies who graciously agreed to a photo. You have to be very cautious and quiet around fairies as they are quite skittish and besides, the one on the left looks like she could kick my a**.


I returned to the library and hooked up with Dana who informed me that some fellow knitter bloggers were with her in the main room in the basement. I ended up in the "overflow" room since I arrived later. Here's part of the group, Amanda, Amby and wearing her lovely red "Tempting" sweater; Dana.





Kristi from Red Dog Knits engrossed in a sock and wearing some lovely earrings. (shameless plug)













While waiting in line to get my book signed a knitter dude sat down to try on his sock that he was working on 2 circs. Almost finished! I was so impressed to see a knitter dude in action I had to get a snap of this rare sighting.
Really you'd think more straight guys would get in to the art of knitting. What better way to impress the gals and have little or no competition for their attention.



As for what I worked on during our wait? I started another "at work" sock since I finished the mixed up crazy socks, all but weaving in the ends. This is my basic tried and true fits your leg pattern. I think that I finally nailed the picot cuff. I knit five rows, worked the next row in k2 tog, yo, and then knit six rows. I folded the cuff but here's where I work it a little differently. Most picot cuff patterns call for the edge stitch and the live stitch to be knitted together. I pick up a stitch on the edge pass it to the left needle and then knit it together with the live stitch. I think its a little easier to do and the cuff turns perfectly. The yarn is Opal sock yarn from my never ending sock yarn stash. I think it's been languishing in the stash cabinet for about three years. Oh and BTW...I am trying to knit this pair of socks continental style. So far so good, a little awkward but I really want to get this technique down pat. I think that both styles of knitting have their applications and advantages so I would at least like to have the option.

As for other going's on, I am almost finished with the cable lace scarf. I don't want to make it too long as I plan to finish it with a "Lady E" style fringe, perhaps with some beads. I peek in on the Kevat shawl every now and again, yup, it's still there. The kitchen is still progressing, actually I think the project is evolving and spreading out to other parts of the house. Sadly tomorrow is the last day of my "lime", back to work on Tuesday. I'm sure it won't take me long to get the "thousand yard stare" back.