Overwhelming –  to put it very mildly. Really, I can’t even begin  to thank  all of you enough for your generous offers to test knit. But, boy, I am  so going to take you up on it. And as all the test knits come back  to me  over the next several weeks I will be singing their praises (the knitters and their knits) near and far. Be sure to check back, there will be some real cuties.

Coming Attraction – Plucky Socks! You may recall a mention of a collaboration with the  ever so talented Kirsten. Well, she is putting the finishing touches on two patterns made for Plucky Yarns. I am so excited!

Both of the  patterns should be ready by early next week.   They will be available at my etsy shop  (and, once  I  figure out how to have them available right here on this site the patterns will also be available here) and at Kirsten’s site, Through The Loops. Boy, she did a stellar job coming up with patterns that really suit the yarn. Pure design and knitterly  brilliance that Kirsten. Thank you!

 Anna’s Sock pattern in the 80/20 Cashmere Merino blend

 Achillea pattern  in 100% Merino Fingering

Much to my disgust, I thought I was putting cinnamon in  my  coffee this morning…. instead  this happened:  

This        + this    = Not a good thing.

I know the site has been a bit quiet lately…. it seems I’ve had a bit (ok, not a bit, a lot) of a shoulder, neck, rotator cuff issue and it is sapping energy (both physical and creative) big time. But, the good news is, on doctors orders, I have started physical therapy and other rememdies and they seem to be working. And even more good news is that what I thought could be the beginnings of a nasty bout of carpal tunnel is, in fact, related to the neck issue (instead of several physical issues to deal with, now it is just one and all related – what a relief!).

Ok. Enough of that boring stuff…. (just wanted to fill you in on the reasons for lack of knitting and dyeing content). I need help. Big time.

I need some examples of Plucky Yarns all knit up and with the issues I’ve just mentioned, I have not been able to get much knitting done. Would anyone be interested in knitting up something for me? Being a test knitter of sorts? Of course, it goes without saying, that  I would pay you handsomely  - in yarn!!! for your generosity. I  was thinking perhaps knitting a pair of handwarmers  out of some of the merino single yarn, perhaps a neck warmer, socks or even a scarf.

Please let me know if there are any takers……Thank you!

We are back on the grid….finally. Longer post to follow later, but suffice it to say it could have been  so much worse, so I am not complaining at all.  Just catching up on laundry, dishes, dyeing  and email and yes, big trees and limbs to get rid of (Mr. Plucky  is excited as we will have wood for bonfires  ’til 2009!).

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

No Electricity.  Which means no internet (currently at Panera Bread enjoying their wifi), no dyeing (so much for the dyeing goal I had for this weekend) and, the most disturbing of all, no hair dryer! Estimated time of re-connection with the outside world….. Sunday evening. So, lot’s of trips to Panera for wifi.

Later, when I can find the camera we’ll have to post “eye candy” of the destruction around the house. Huge trees down everywhere.

But, on the bright side of things….. I will have lots of time to knit and go see this with the Plucky Girl.

Continuing with a look on the brightside of things, this past week I had been suffering from a  somewhat mild, but nonetheless disturbing case of bloggers block. So at least today I have something of interest to  post.

On the knitting front – one down, one to go. Charade #1 is done and I am pretty happy with it. The k1tbl, p1 ribbing is a little more loosey goosey than I would normally like, but that is my fault. Next time I think I will knit the ribbing on size 1’s and then the body of the sock on 2’s (sounds backwards doesn’t it? Don’t people usually have trouble with the ribbing being too tight and then going down a size on the actual sock portion?).

***Edited to add***

Not to worry though. Come heck or high water (high water being a definite possibility) I will get to the dyeing. So, if you are waiting on a special order from me – I haven’t forgotten you and it will be done!

 Nicole – (I am not sure if you have a blog or I would link to it…..) You won!!!!

Madonna and Menachem Begin were both born on August 16. And, the co-winner for the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize was Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat.

During August, in the evening, the “Summer Triangle” can be found in the Eastern sky. The triangle consists of the three brightest stars in the sky. The three stars in the Summer Triangle are Vega (constellation Lyra), Deneb (constellation Cygnus), and Altair (constellation Aquila).    

Margaret Mitchell first called Scarlett O’Hara “Pansy” when she was writing Gone With The Wind. Can you imagine?!?! I mean, it just doesn’t have the same zing.

Jackie Kennedy said “I want minimum information given with maximum politeness.” Pure class.

Thanks for playing along everyone – it is so fun to see the answers come in. And, yes, I know you can Google anything and find the answers, but that isn’t the point. The point is to learn something new!

Shop update. Yay!! And, don’t forget to play along with the contest….tonight is the last night. Pluky girl (a.k.a. the random number generator) will be picking the winning entry tomorrow.

Petifores – 100% Merino Wool Fingering

Lt. Dan – 100% Merino Wool

Shrimp  Gumbo  - BFL Alpaca

Little Lambs Eat Ivy – BFL Suri Alpaca

Bronze Age – 50/50 Silk Merino Wool Lace Weight

Rose Quartz – 50/50 Silk Merino Lace Weight

Pewter Goblet – 50/50 Silk Merino Lace Weight

These and quite a few more are now available in the shop. Thanks for looking!