Radio Silence.

So.

This, I think, is going to be my last post here for a while.

Even though I am not spending every waking spare second in grad school, I am still busy (better busy, different busy, but still busy) and I just don't have time to blog and currently, don't actually have anything I can really blog about with much frequency.

I am sill fostering from the PSPCA, and loving every minute of it. After Cookie, who was adopted to a triathlete who uses her as a running buddy, we had Jack, a gorgeous gentleman who is now living in a converted 17th century tavern in upstate New York with Erin (a great knitter!), then we had Murray, a collie mix who stole my heart who is now living with a couple near us and then Caesar, a handsome black lab who was adopted to a college student who could not have been more excited for his first dog.

Right now, we have Maple, a 6-8 week old puppy who is a mix of shepherd + lord knows what, and she is all kinds of cute.

Hello and my name is Maple. I am made of cuteness and awesome.

We also have had 6 foster kittens for the last 7 weeks and most of them are coming up on being ready to be adopted! I would love to do more "in-house" adoptions (in lieu of putting them up on Petfinder, especially during the holidays when many unwanted "presents" get returned after Christmas) so if you or anyone you know is seriously looking for a kitten and lives in the Philly area (fully up to date on shots and already fixed! Well socialized around other cats and dogs! If you adopt one the second one is free!) let me know. I can be reached via ravelry (which I check at least every other day) or via email at catherinemgagnon at gmail dot com.

Another thing that has been really taking up all my spare (knitting and blogging) time is something I am very excited -- and nervous -- about! (drumroll please.....)

Courtney and I are doing a book with Interweave!

The process began at the June TNNA in Columbus and was finalized later in the summer. I have to say, working up the proposal was a nice distraction from last minute wedding planning. I can't say much (except that we are past deadline 1, and deadline 2 is swiftly approaching...and it looks like a Fall '10 release..I think...) but the general theme is basically what we do: modern knitwear with very traditional inspiration and will feature garments and all manner of accessories.

Okay, peeps. That's it. I really wanted to catch everyone up on what is happening personally (and professionally!) in my life, but I have to finally admit publicly I have no idea when I will post on this blog again. We do try hard to post (more) frequently on the Kelbourne Woolens blog, and maybe, in time, will add some personal tidbits here and there, but I just have to say between that, the job, the knitting, book deadlines and the four legged ever-rotating menagerie, something has to give.

I really appreciate everyone's comments and support over the few years, and am grateful for the outlet. As the book publication date gets closer and closer, we will definitely be announcing more on the Kelbourne blog, and all new patterns and projects will be there as well.

Vogue Holiday 2009!

Many you may have seen the new Vogue Holiday preview last week. I am lucky enough to have 2 designs in the magazines -- a yoke cardigan and a lace beret, two very "me" projects!

The fist design is a remake of the original Cold Hands Warm Heart cardigan, a sweater I wear the most out of any handknit I have made for myself.

Like the Herringbone Pullover, I have received a lot of pattern requests for the CHWH, so I was delighted when Tanis thought it was a great fit for the "Color Vibes" story in the issue. For this new version, I used an 100% alpaca yarn, Baby Twist. It is a really pretty heathery yarn.

Image from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2009

I knit this sweater in the 4 weeks leading up to the wedding (in the middle of TNNA and during a huge Kelbourne Woolens project you will hear more about as the weeks go by) and the 2 weeks after. Looking back, it was a little nuts, but I really enjoyed knitting the sweater. (And there was no guilt involved in knitting in the days before the wedding when I had a deadline to meet!)

Like the original, the sweater is knit from the bottom up back and forth, then the sleeves are knit in the round and joined for the yoke. I really don't mind knitting back and forth, nor do I mind Fair Isle back and forth, and the fair isle pattern is simple to memorize, so this project is knit that way. If the idea of knitting Fair Isle back in the forth gives you the willies, the pattern can be easily adaped for knitting in the round-- just add 5-6 sts then steek as usual.

(Ravel It!)

The other pattern in the magazine is the cousin to the #13 Lace Beret from the Fall Vogue. It incorporates a lot of what I love when knitting hats -- integrate ribbing, increases + decreases, lace, slight slouch....etc.

Image from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2009

In terms of "slouch factor", I would say this beret is slouchier than the Springtime in Philadelphia beret. If you want more slouch, use a slightly heavier yarn or one with quite a bit of drape. (I am definitely re-knitting this in Road to China Light). Less slouch, use a smaller yarn or one with less drape.

(Ravel It!)

Enjoy!

Stash Sale Update!

I've added some new yarns to the trade/sell page and hope to update even more tomorrow. (But this is it for the sock yarn).

Koigu KPPPM in P539 32. 2 Skeins, one wound and knit with (then re-wound), one in skein with tag. $18 for both.

Knitting Knotions Merino Sock in Grapefruit. I have two skeins but only want to sell one (but am easily persuaded). One wound: $19 or Unwound: $21

Dream in Color Smooshy in Wisterious. Wound but not knit with. $15. (Eta: this is a photo of my yarn!)

Thanks to everyone who bought yarn from the previous post! I have updated it to reflect what has sold.

Remaining:

Rowan Chunky Print (I know one of you wants to knit a crazy funky cowl for fall!)

Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed (Plenty for a sweater. Really pretty color!)

Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Serengeti

HUGE STASH SALE!!!!

Apparently, having three dogs makes you want to clean out your house. Also, working with yarn all day long makes you realize you have too much yarn to ever actually knit with in your lifetime.

So....I just inventoried and moved a TON of yarn over to my trade/sell page on Ravelry! All have free shipping in the US and come from a smoke (but not pet-free!) home. I store all my yarn in sealed bags with herbal moth sachets, so it may smell like peppermint.

BMFA Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Loch Ness. $15 (sold!)!

BMFA Socks that Rock Lightweight in Faulty Dyer. $15 (sold!)!

*Also, BMFA STR Mediumweight in Pebble Beach (sold!)! and Cracked Canyon (sold!)!

Pagewood Farm Yukon Sock in Crayon. $12.50 for skein. (sold!)!

Rowan Chunky Print. 2 skeins $20 for both.

Fleece Artist basic Merino Sock in Parrot (discontinued!) (sold!) $13

Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre Province. 4 skeins in ball 2 wound (with maybe a yard or 2 missing). Full lot for $20 (sold!)

Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre Citronella 4 skeins in ball 2 wound (with maybe a yard or 2 missing). Full lot for $20 (sold!)

Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed. Lot of 10 for $50, (or $5.50 a ball).

Dale of Norway/Dalegarn Sisik in 156 Light Grey. 11 skeins in ball with label, one swatched a few times. Will sell the lot for $40.

Davidson Domy Heather $7 (sold!)

Davidson Domy Heather $7 (sold!)

Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in Serengeti, $15.

1 in skein with tag, 1 wound into ball. Will sell for $14 for both, retails for $11 per skein. (sold!)!

If you're not on ravelry, but are interested, post a comment here and I will get right on it. If you are on ravelry, send me a pm and I'll let you know if it is still available and give you my paypal email (if you dont want to pay via paypal, we can figure something out, too!)

Thanks!!!

Edit: Some skeins have sold (marked in Coral), but I found some more goodies so I will add more fun stuff and great deals Sat evening. Thanks, guys!!!

COOOOOOOOKIE!

Lookie here!!! A kick-ass dog!!! Just what you have always wanted!

Meet our new Foster, Cookie. (Fondly referred to as Cookie Monster, or just The Monster for short).

Here's the deal: She is housebroken, fine with cats (although Desmond is very very interesting to her still), doesn't really bark unless the other dogs are going nuts, is happy sleeping in her crate at night, does really well on-leash with her EZ harness, doesn't react to other dogs/people/bikes/kids/noises/cars while walking and is really lovey and sweet, and not skittish at all. We gave her a bath soon after getting her home Saturday, and she was totally fine in the tub.

She is quite exuberant and energetic, but we owe part of that to her still being young and also just in the shelter for 3 weeks with no exercise. We went for a long walk last night and she met a few dogs who were on leash and a dog that was off leash and she was GREAT. Tonight, she had 45 min of playtime in my neighbor's backyard with 2 bulldogs who are both really large and goofy and she was so awesome and had a blast. I do think if she was going to join a home that already had a dog, it would need to be a similar size and energy level so they could really play. She also absolutely LOOOVES squeaky toys and it pretty much makes my day to watch her bounce all over the living room with one in her mouth.

As happy as Opus is to have a short haired doppelgänger and as much as he thinks he has a pretty great home, he thinks hers should be somewhere else.

We do know a bit about her history as she was an owner surrender because they could not care for her anymore. She came from a family with kids so is really well socialized around all manner of people. She is getting spayed on Sept 30th so as soon as she is healed she is ready to go! Spread the word!! Grab her while the grabbing is good! She really is a great dog. (The whole point is to *foster a dog and find her a good home, foster another and find her a good home; repeat from * to end of all sad, homeless dogs. If we didn't already have two, I would seriously contemplate keeping her, though...)

********

Thanks for putting up with the slew of "life" posts as of late, especially your support re: MV. I do still knit, I swear. Want proof?

Oh, the irony.

Lady, I am sleeping. Stop taking pictures of me with your phone.

These past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind -- we are super busy at work, due to some really great and exciting stuff, but I am also really distracted.

We (Bird, Rollie, Opus + I) took our annual trek to Maine in August and it could not have been better: the weather was perfect, the dogs got to be dogs 24 hours a day, which to them means either swimming, rolling in filth, romping with the other dogs, or passing out in the sun, we ate, we spent time with family, I knit. It was great.

Going on a trip, going on a trip, smells like cows, going on a trip...

But, right before we left, I heard about the signing of Michael Vick to the Eagles, and when we came home, I was overwhelmed with the number of house projects we have been putting off since moving here 3 years ago. I want to spend time investing in our home -- especially now that I am there so much more than I was when I was in grad school, but a switch flipped in me a few weeks ago and I do not love this city the way I used to, and making it our permanent landing spot is looking less and less like a reality. The backlash, racial tension, and anger that has been stirred up here as a result of Michael Vick joining the Eagles has left a horrible and unwelcome taste in my mouth, and I don't think it will go away just by refinishing the (wood paneled covered!) walls in our bedroom.

There is a HUGE problem of dog fighting, animal abuse and neglect in the city of Philadelphia. With the signing of Michael Vick, there has been a resurgence of awareness regarding the problem our city faces, but also, horrifically, sadly, and most importantly, there has actually been a RISE in dog fighting since his conviction two years ago. To many, in fact, Michael Vick is a hero.

Michael Vick and those who support dog fighting are not heroes, and do not deserve a penny from this city, nor do they deserve our respect. Michael Vick admitted to "cruel" behavior, and you can be sure those dogs did nothing to deserve their treatment, nor did they return it to him. This is a man who bred and trained dogs to fight others, then shot, electrocuted or drowned his dogs who did not win in the fights he arranged, bet on and supported for over five years. Disagreeing with the signing of Michael Vick to the Eagles does not equal in measure -- or even come close -- to what he did to those innocent dogs. Many argue that by opposing Michael Vick, those who do value the life of a dog over that of a human. This argument to me, is insane and has no base. (We are not arguing that he should be electrocuted, drowned or shot in return, just not treated as a hero in a city already fraught with issues involving dog fighting and abuse and suffering from millions of dollars of lost funding). It is like comparing apples to....bricks.

Happiest.

So, where is the irony here? As this man is being lauded as a hero, paraded all over town, plastered on every news show and given million dollar contracts, the shelters in this city have to euthanise dozens of dogs on a daily basis due to lack of space, human neglect or illness. I have not seen a single article, save for the informed and well written cover story of the Philadelphia Weekly (beware: this article is very, very, sad) really talk about the issue in this city, instead it is barely mentioned in passing as an anectode to the "second chance" we have supposedly freely given this murderer. 90% of dogs in the Philadelphia shelters are pit bulls, dogs who are bred for fighting and aggression, a trait manipulated from their loyalty, strength and intelligence. Pit Bulls are a wonderful, amazing, sweet, loyal and silly breed, and I know many many here that I trust, love and respect more than some people I have met. The PSPCA does not receive a single penny of funding from the city of Philadelphia, but Michael Vick has the option of earning 6.8 million dollars over the next two years with the Eagles, (not taking into account the sponsorship deals he may get by any company dumb enough to pay him).

I visited one of the shelters yesterday, hoping to find a dog we could foster and find a great home. (Still in progress). My dogs are spoiled -- to a fault, in fact: we are weeks into a training where I am supposed to be working on winning back my role as leader -- and the contrast to their lives and that of the dogs in the shelter is staggering. (I woke up this morning to Rollie + Opus on their backs, snoring, noses touching, at the foot of my bed). I am also going to volunteer at the shelter. I really hope, ultimately, I can make a difference, however small, in theses dogs lives, and show them that people love them, regardless of their previous situation. I do still feel really really helpless, I know I am just one person and there are individuals who work 60+ hours a week with the sole purpose of rehabilitating, saving and helping these animals. But I also know if this motivates one person to try an help, either by donating money or food, volunteering, opening up their home to a foster dog, or adopting a pet from a shelter, I will have done something good.

If you don't have the time or space to volunteer or foster an animal, please consider donating to the PSPCA here. (I just did!) If you have downloaded a -- or a few! -- Zeitgeist Yarns pattern(s) (or Kelbourne Woolens pattern of my design) recently, please consider making a donation to the PSPCA, however small, as a thanks. (Thank you).

Oh, an please: spay and neuter your pets.

The end of inevitable wedding talk.

(Photograph by Spencer Leonard - highly recommended!)

Warning: lots of wedding content below! If you could care less, my apologies! If you would prefer knitting content, check out the Kelbourne blog here.

Thanks so much for the kind words regarding the wedding and my dress! The weeks leading up to the day were really busy and stressful -- and we had tons and tons of help! -- but the actual party was so much fun and totally worth it.

(I stopped biting my nails for about 3 whole weeks. Photo by Graham Osborn).

From the beginning, I really wanted to have a wedding with a lot of handmade elements in it, with minimal environmental impact. My colors were steel grey, Martha Stewart Mint Gelato Green, and coral. We were really lucky to have Bird's amazing talented brother letterpress print our invitations, which started the whole handmade theme. (Owen's aunt painted the signs above, as the wedding was on a private windy road).

For the wedding party, one of my bridesmaid's Colleen and I designed the prints for the groomsmen, ushers, Bird and our fathers which she digitally printed on silk. The week before the wedding I hand-sewed all 9 ties using the Purl Bee pattern. There was a pretty steep learning curve -- my 3rd was exponentially better than my first, and the last was a relative piece of cake. Although they were incredibly time consuming (you would think after a 19 month engagement, I would not have waited until the week before...) the end result was really awesome. I also made necklaces for my bridesmaids and our mothers, too.

(Photograph by Spencer Leonard)

For the actual wedding, Colleen and I (mostly Colleen) made a ton of flowers in all different styles and colors using Paper Source Flower Kits and I photographed the individual flowers and use those in lieu of table numbers, then printed cards with people's names and they had to find their flower to find their table.

(Photos by Dave Katona)

Instead of cut flowers on the individual tables, my mom and a few friends grew potted herbs which we than gave away along with homemade maple syrup that Bird's dad and mom made in their sugar shack on the property.

(the bouquet and additional table flowers were white and coral organic peonies we got from a local farm. Photo by Dave Katona).

And the dress! Two summers ago, my talented, patient and incredibly generous friend Jackie brought a swatch into one of our classes and I (somewhat) jokingly said something along the lines of "when I get married I want that to be my dress". When, 4 months later, bird and I got engaged, the potential for that actually happening became more plausible and before we both knew it, I had somehow convinced her to make my dress.

(Photography by Spencer Leonard)

For the top, I went with a very traditional princess (my "New England side") seamed scoop neck -- the back went into a deeper - V -- that ended in a slightly dropped waist. We dyed the skirt fabric in my backyard and then it was all hand made by Jackie (and the end result was pretty true to the original swatch I fell in love with). The entire skirt is two layers, a woven silk dupioni that she randomly attached to hand-loomed panels as they were being knit that were then hand-sewed together. I could not have imagined a more perfect dress for myself, and the fact that it was made by someone I admire both artistically and as a person only added to my happiness.

Like most of New England this summer, the weather in Vermont leading up to the wedding was mediocre at best. Luckily, the rain held out all day until minutes before everyone went inside for the dinner, when there was a torrential storm. Right as dinner was ending (really, the timing was insane), the rain stopped and we were surrounded by a double rainbow. The night ended with fireworks, roasted marshmallows and lots of dancing to the Starline Rhythm Boys, an amazing rockabilly, bluegrassy, honkey-tonk band from Vermont. We had friends and family from all over -- it was a mini-college reunion, a good Philly representation and people we have known our entire lives.

One of the best parts? Bird's mom knit me a sweater. But not just any sweater, the sweater that I have been obsessed with for years, but have never had the time to knit. (Which she had no idea I was totally obsessed with, and somehow just knew). It was pretty amazing.