12/12 in 2012: Souvenir Shawl

This, you might recall (but probably not), is a lovely skein of Plain & Fancy yarn in the colorway Turquoise, that I picked up at the Taos Wool Festival. I used a lovely pattern called Arroyo for it, as they all seemed to meld together in the perfect souvenir--Arroyo, Turquoise, Taos.

This is the shawl just after I cast-off, unblocked. Shawls do amazing things when blocked properly.

This is the lace after blocking--all lovely and open, and a bit pointy.

I love that even though there is a true riot of colors in the yarn, the overall feeling is of Turquoise.

I struggled getting pictures of this one, as it is so long and lovely, but this gives you an idea. You have to see it in person to get an idea of its drape and softness.

The 12/12 in 2012 Project: I have acquired a relatively small yarn stash, but a stash nonetheless. My goal for 2012 is to knit a shawl and a sock each month. Arroyo is this month's shawl, and I'm well on my way with my sock of the month. Not every shawl do I necessarily need to keep (nor every sock, I guess), so if you see anything that you like, let me know! You may receive the shawl, or one like it, for Christmas.

Blinding Knitwear: Highlighter Cowl

Remember this skein, from the Taos Wool Festival? I was between a hat and a cowl, and I decided to go with a cowl. The more I looked at the yarn, the more I realized it was made up of the colors you find in a pack of highlighters, and I wanted to play that up.

I chose a pattern that used slipped yarnovers, to really give a slash-y, highlighted look to the bright yarn.

I made it extra big, so that it would fall more into the mod/trendy "infinity" scarf realm of cowls.

It can be worn long and looped like the above, which is still keeping me pretty toasty.

It is also long and stretchy enough to be worn doubled up into a really cozy cowl. This was fun and fast, and if I see Fiber Fanatic at another wool festival, I will definitely be snatching up more yarn!

A Trip to Taos: Fall Color Explosion

I hope everyone gets a chance to see some gorgeous fall leaves this year--I'm not very good at photographing the beauty we saw. My favorites are a flash of golden leaves trapped in a green conifer zone.

A Trip to Taos: See-Saw & Swim

Lincoln and I go to a lot of parks, but a piece of vanishing playground equipment is the see-saw--in Taos (in a fantastic playground right next to the Wool Festival) he was able to discover a see-saw. After he and Mr. Cool worked out their technique, he loved it. Where have all the see-saws gone?

He also discovered that classic of all road trips--fabulous pool lounging!

But most of all, he loved splashing in the pool. The first time, he was all about splashing mama--we were both in hysterical giggles.

The second time, it was all about splashing with his "new green tugboat!"

A Trip to Taos: Fibery Loot

This may not seem like much loot, but there are two reasons: I stuck to my budget, and I picked up a fair number of gifts, which will be revealed at a later date.
This was my favorite booth--I've purchased from them before at Estes Park, and I love the colors and softness of their yarn. I got there early, and so didn't have much of a crowd to fight through to make my selections.

I'm sorry my yarn pics aren't better--this skein is gorgeous. It's named turquoise, and I picked it up as my "souvenir" skein, and I have already picked a shawl to make out of it called Arroyo. Perfect, huh?
This lovely "graphite" skein is destined to become another shawl--one of my purposes at the wool festival was to find a great grey for an everyday shawl, and this fit the bill.

I had not been to this booth before, but it became a favorite. The owners/dyers/workers/whoever was running the booth was delightful, and their colors were gorgeous, and their wool affordable. Trifecta!
I have been oddly drawn to neon colors recently, so I couldn't pass up this skein. When I bought it, one of the workers said, "Ah, the OMG skein." I was also informed that it will fluoresce under a black light. I really want to knit it under a black light now!

I think I have enough for a nice hat or cowl to sear people's eyes with this winter!

Mark's favorite vendor was selling "Taos Tortillas"--placemats, potholders, and napkin rings made of scorched 100% wool felt. They are really awesome--that looks just like a tortilla, doesn't it? We think we need some cactus or chili pepper salt and pepper shakers to complete the table with that.

I really, truly loved this festival, and I can't wait to go again--I think I need to make a trip with my knitting group, one with my sister . . .

A Trip to Taos: Wool Festival Overview

The festival vendors were laid out in a lovely circle around this huge, gorgeous park. It was easy to wander and browse, and there were a ton of fantastic vendors. I'll get more into those later!

It was a beautiful day--clear and sunny, with enough of an early chill that I was able to wear a shawl comfortably, and declare myself one of the knitters!

Lincoln liked the brown sheep--and climbing gates!

A Trip to Taos: Taos Cow Blows Our Minds

When looking for recommendations on Taos, Taos Cow kept coming up. It's actually in Arroyo Seco, about 20 minutes from Taos, but if you are in the region--go. Just go.

Lincoln loved all the cows, and as soon as we walked in and he spotted the ice cream, he wanted ice cream. We told him he had to eat something else first and led by example.

Mr. Cool had "the best roast beef sandwich I've ever had" with insanely good Thai coleslaw,
while I had Thai coconut curry soup, loaded with yummy veggies and intense flavor, and accompanied by awesome rye toast.

Mr. Cool and Lincoln with the ice cream beauty shot--you can see that Lincoln is really into this ice cream. From left, clockwise: Chocolate Mexican Chocolate, Raspberry, and Lavender.

We asked Lincoln if he wanted raspberry or strawberry, and he answered, "Chocolate." So that's what he got. It was yummy--almonds, cinnamon, fudgyness.

He also deigned to try some raspberry--the best fruity ice cream we've ever had, and the lavender which seriously blew our minds. Definitely worth the trip!

A Trip to Taos: Travel and Rest

Because Mr. Cool and the new Cool loved me, when I was unable to attend the Estes Park Wool Market, they agreed to take a long weekend and journey down to Taos, New Mexico, for the Taos Wool Festival in October. So, we headed out on a road trip, trail mix in our gyro bowls!

Lincoln is pretty excited here about two orange chocolates. It is, as all parents know, immensely fun to head out on the road with a kid who is old enough to enjoy trail mix, books, and other road fun.


We stopped at this veteran's memorial on the road, replete with a plane. Lincoln loved it, and cried to go back after we left. I hope he remembers his parents were willing to stop in the first place!

Our "new home" as Lincoln called, the lovely El Pueblo Lodge--large rooms, lovely staff, and green space all around for small boys to run around.

Fireplaces, grills, and chairs were scattered all over--truly a great place for families and others getting together. Lincoln had fun pointing out the suns.