A Day In New Hampshire and Related Ramblings

Thank you for all the lovely compliments on my wilted-flower photos of me and the red sweater.  In case I was not clear yesterday (heh), I love the cardi, and I think it's much better in person, as these things always are.  We really should have taken the photos at the beginning of the day when we were all fresh, but we were too busy having fun and running into groups of people and talking and eating and catching up and hugging -- as you do -- and even doing a little bit of shopping.  I'm sure that last one comes as quite a surprise.

I washed the cardi yesterday, and damp-dried it in the dryer, and I wonder if it's possible to love it even more as of this morning, because it came out of the wash-and-dry process even more beautifully finished than before.  I've become an even bigger fan of Calmer.  I think I want all my sweaters (just kidding -- I'm still a wool devotee), and certainly all sweaters made for others, to be made in this yarn.  This is a yarn that the most picky non-wool-loving gift recipient would love.  And of course it carries the price tag to go along with it.

Here's a nice photo that Sandy took of me and Gale Zucker when we first got there and things were a wee bit more fresh:

Gale was sharing space with Woolybuns Chris, and that booth was our first stop.  I bought these sweet cards from Gale, and Paula got some of Gale's excellent beach glass buttons.

About the shopping, I personally didn't do too much.  Read my lips:  I.don't.need.anything.  Sandy, Paula and I, who mostly stuck together throughout the day, did not even get to all the barns and all the booths and tents.  New Hampshire's has always been, and still remains, my favorite of all the festivals.  It's low key and comfortable, it's countrified, it's got enough, but not too many, vendors, and the crowds are low.  We focused on friends instead of stuff, but of course that also means that we missed seeing some people, too.  I had festival-goer's remorse on Sunday morning when I realized lots of other good friends and vendors were there, but I missed seeing them because of taking this approach. 

I didn't buy much, but I did get a NH festival t-shirt.  As soon as I got home, I promptly modified it into the Flashdance version for gardening. The lady who sold it to me got a kick out of my telling Sandy that I was going to make it into a slut t-shirt.  I had to explain about the SL,UT.  She loved the story.  While I was shopping at the festival table, Sandy breezed through that building.  When she came back, I asked her, "Is there anything I need to see in here?"  She responded, "Meh. It's all spinning stuff and sock yarn."  "Alrighty, then," I said, "Not my things.  So we're done."  The lady behind the table, with a big giggle:  "You two are a pair."  

Yes.  That we are.

Paula bought a sweater's worth of Green Mt. Spinnery Mountain Mohair in a wonderful colorway called "Mesa."  After she had done the deed -- that is, this deed:

...she liked that yarn enough that she wanted to get some for her own sweater. 

So yes, there it is, looking like so much caramel-colored fusilli in that bowl.  That's the yarn that was formerly the sweater Marta.  I drove to NH, and Paula ripped.  When I pulled the car into the parking lot two and a half hours after we left home, she literally had one more row to rip.  And so it's done.  What's going to be made next with that yarn is still in flux.  I've washed the yarn to get the kink out, and I bought two more skeins to add to it, because I'm thinking of making a much longer sweater.  The dye lots are not the same and the difference is somewhat noticeable, but I don't at all mind alternating them while knitting, or using the different dyelot for collar and button bands or something, if need be.  I've been thinking about using it for this design [Ravelry link.  I can't find a direct link to it otherwise. I hope you are on Ravelry so you can see it, and I apologize to those who aren't, because it's really great.  BUT I would lengthen it, as Katiska did -- (scroll down).  Love her version of it. And of course I would not do a hood.][It is pattern DROPS 109-3.]

We ran into Grumperina Kathy and her hubby when we were trying to decide if I should buy the extra two skeins in the different dyelots, holding it out in the natural light, and they weighed in on the dyelots.  As Kathy (whose taste and instincts are impeccable, as we all know!) says, "As long as you go into it with intention and planning...."  Yes, indeed.  I'm actually going to swatch.  I know!  Crazy, huh?  But I really do think that sweater will look good in this yarn.  Only time will tell.  And I also believe that that garter yoke and sleeve will help to nicely blend the two dyelots of the yarn without any issues.

Speaking of lengthening, I am just sick to death of sweaters that are too short. Sick to death, I tell you!  I am a quite short person, so I've always assumed I needed short sweaters.  But after trying on all of Cheryl's sweaters, who is quite a bit taller than I am, and finding to both our surprise that they all fit perfectly -- I don't understand it, but apparently because of my body shape, I need more length in my sweaters even though I have a short torso.  *scratching head*

I guess it's to do with my wide shoulders and big arms -- and possibly the front porch.  I dunno, but these are the things that we learn through trial and error and through experience knitting, I guess. Claudia has made the comment that she is getting a kick out of seeing Now Norma Knits actually turning into a knit blog.  Heh.  Me, too. 

...Which segues into the comment I made when I ordered my friends to get in line for this photo:

 

That's Martha, Terry, Paula, Claudia, and Sandy (Who is looking off at left field again!  Snap out of it, Sandy!!!!) She was probably close to passing out from the heat, because she wore her beautiful Town & Country cardigan all day.  The things we knitters will do to show off our knits -- honestly!  And then on Sunday it was only 40-something degrees, but we weren't there.  That's New England, and that's New Hampshire Sheep & Wool, for you: Pack a halter top, a wetsuit, waders, sandals, a parka and mittens, because it could go either way.  And that's just before lunch.

But anyway, it was so great to see Laurie and Manise and Mamacate and her kids, and Cheryl and Dale and Carole, and Lucia and Ruth, and Jean and her whole family, and Kim, and Jo and her family, and Kris and Thea and Julia and Marcy and Alison (who saved me by showing up at just the right moment with French fries) and oh, dear.  When one starts these lists, one quickly starts to worry, "Who am I forgetting?" and one quickly starts to get link fatigue.  So I'll end with the usual disclaimer:  "And those are just the ones I REMEMBER!"  Or it more properly should read:  "I hope I haven't forgotten anyone, and if I have, I hope you will forgive me."

The comment I made when taking that photo above was something to the effect that I've decided to go back to my roots and try to be a more legitimate blogger; to stop forgetting the camera, and to do a better job of chronicling these things!  Well, that lasted all of three seconds.  That above was the only photo I really took. 

Illegitimate blogger, I guess that makes me. 

Sandy took this one of me before her camera battery died:

 

Moo.

Comments

[Kristen]

Yeah, you'd be surprised how the front porch can affect a sweater. 'Specially if it's got gables.

[Seanna Lea]

It sounds like a really lovely day. I was smack dab in my last show (complete with heavy lifting and pushing scaffolding around), or I would have been trying to get there by hook or by crook.

[sandy]

Oh, it all seems like a wonderful dream! :D It is by far my favorite festival too!
Moo you.
LX

[Nora]

Fun! Wish I lived closer. The sweater is perfect!

[AnnaMarie]

Moo to you too *giggle* That is a very cool photo and I do love the cardi. I'm inching closer to trying to make a sweater but honestly I think it's going to be a next winter thing. Gardening and working my fanny off is actually, well, working my fanny off and I don't want to make a sweater in one size only to rip and downsize. There's a reason I love shawls and socks...

Next year I'll be in better shape to go, my shop is actually taking off (even if it is only spinning stuff) and I'm rather looking forward to having you all to myself next week. The sun is shining, time to garden!

[margene]

The sweater is perfect! POIFICT!! My grrls, oh my everyone was together...you all look SO good!

[gayle]

Still can't believe I missed you...
And you took one more picture that I took!
Love that Drops cardigan - especially the longer version. That's my favorite cable, too. I can picture you rockin' that sweater, too!

[Lucia]

Yeah, I had a great time and missed some people too... but got to see so many lovely friends, I had a great day. (Dang, I just gave myself an earworm.)

[Carole]

I loved getting to see you! I know I missed people, too, and I kind of wish I had visited all the building with more intention but - - - whatever. It was FUN.

[Mary K. in Rockport]

Katiska's "Alaska" IS nice. I like it better than Isolda's similar design because it doesn't ride up over the rump.

[faerielady]

I have to admit that I almost got into trouble at work when I saw the last picture...

[Ruth]

It was wonderful to see you, too, as always. NH came at just the right time for me ... I was gasping for some adult time.

Here's a non-Rav link for the sweater: http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=109&d_id=3&lang=en

I love it, too. The yarn you have will be perfect, I think.

[Jean]

It was SO good to see you Norma!! You looked FABulous Dahling! :-) It went so fast. I wish we could have hung out more.

[Marcia]

And Marcia and Terry.....

[Cheryl S.]

Sounds like you had a great time. You were sure taking a risk sitting in that Milking Parlor. Who knows what might have happened. (Which reminds me of one of my grandmother's favorite phrases - whenever you lifted something heavy, she'd say "Don't strain your milk!")

I've been eyeing that Drops cardigan too. But would definitely do it without the hood.

P.S. - Even though I'm tall, the length is in my legs, so my back-waist length is actually "normal" by standard measurements. But in proportion to my height, that makes my torso a little short. Larry's slightly shorter than me, but when we sit, he looks taller because he has a longer torso and shorter legs. Maybe your torso is longer than you think it is, in proportion to your height.

[Vicki]

Looks like a fun day!!

[marianne]

...and a grand time was had by all... I really need to move north. or just somewhere else. preferably north. I'm feeling more than a little wistful this morning :^) ahem, french fries? did they not have pie? cobbler? (I know you love your spuds)
Moo. hee.

[Gillian]

Speaking of fit and proportion, I just attended a workshop on fit by Sally Melville, based on her newest book "Knitting to Fit and Flatter", written with her daughter. It was very interesting & useful. Now to put it into effect.

[marie in florida]

c'mon now; really ; you must link to the story of the SL,UT. please? salt lake? i cut up a lot of t-shirts; it's almost always too hot for a t-shirt in florida

[Kim]

It was GREAT to see you!

[Caro]

I was looking for you on Saturday 'cause I thought you might be there, but alas, I didn't see you. One of these days we'll actually meet all real and in person like. Looks like you had a great day!

[claudia]

That was a super day.

[Katie B.]

That really is a gorgeous sweater, and I agree about the longer version.

In fact, I agree about sweaters needing to be longer in general... even though I'm a tall person. ;P

[sil]

Well no wonder the milk vending machine was empty, they're trying to milk ladies...

Sounds like a fab day and I hope to join y'all someday.

[Cookie]

I really do live on the wrong coast. /sigh

[grumperina]

I hope the new sweater works out for you! You looked fabulous in your red cardi, and pictures don't do it justice, you're right. Wonderful seeing you, and everyone else!

[--Deb]

Sounds like quite a day! And that Alaska sweater is gorgeous.

[Birdsong]

Sounds like you did just great! And such people you got to hang out with.. I'm envious, though I doubt I will ever make it back there.

[Tracy J.]

Norma, you are awesome. That is all.