It finally came to me what happened here. Either something was lost in translation, or the writer of this fortune confused the Golden Rule with golden sh*wers. (Gross. Sorry.)
Anyway.
How 'bout those March socks? I'm sure you've all been sleepless with anticipation. Well, they're not done:
They weren't done on March 31, either, but that's they day I almost finished the second one and decided to try on the first one. It was too short. (It's been a while since my last pair of top-down socks.) My first thought was to give them away so I wouldn't have to knit on them any more, but I really want them.
So I ripped out both toes and added some length. While I was at it, I adjusted the toe shaping. Toward the end, I decreased every round rather than every other to get a more rounded shape. The other is ready for its purple toe now. Maybe today.
I've been super busy in the shop. There's an update on its way soon, hopefully tomorrow. I've got merino/silk yarn, to die for:
A crapload of Colonial Superwash:
And hopefully, I'll have blended up what you see there on the table (in the SUNLIGHT):
That's a coil of merino top on several batts of Sophie's Border Leicester fleece I dyed up. It's soooo pretty:
Whatever this turns into, half will be for sale (yes, Sherri, you get first crack at it, as promised) and half is going to become the yarn for my April socks. The last two times I've hoped to spin sock yarn, it's turned out too thick. It's not because I can't spin finer; I finally realized it's because I knit so loose that I dread spinning something so fine I have to use really small needles. This time I'm not going to worry. If I have to, I'll 3-ply it.
I also have some merino roving to dye up but that won't go up until next week. I just ordered a bunch of new fiber, including some merino/bamboo top, which I'm dying to try and which could become my next Clapotis, because I really want one out of handspun, and I lost my last one. I also bought some pure silk and something else (which I can't remember at the moment), which I want to use in some more custom blends. I have some light-colored alpaca coming in from my friends at the alpaca farm, and I see great things happening with all those fibers.
I will be busy today, since a guy from the local computer store* is coming to test the shop and see if I can get a wireless connection from the house--because I will have a new computer out there by next week! Then all my photography, packaging, and shipping can happen right from the shop and I won't always be lugging stuff back and forth to and from the house. As my friend Jenn says, "Work smarter, not harder."
*I am a big fan of buying local, having concluded that a slightly higher price usually is a good tradeoff for personal service and higher customer satisfaction. I noticed that a certain computer mfr was having a big sale online. So I built the system I wanted online, got a price, and called my local store. They are coming within $100 of the major manufacturer for an almost-identical system (and that's assuming there was no shipping charge from the online place) and they're already going out of their way to make sure I'm all set up and good to go. And they know my name. And when I have a problem I don't have to wait on hold for hours and speak to someone on another continent. Buy local. Saving pennies for crappy customer service is totally not worth it.
Since I'm on my high horse, I might as well throw in some other animal pictures. Polly and Gert:
The four little piggies:
Love the curly ears on this one:
And, of course, Milo causing trouble:
We are in full mud season in this part of Vermont but today we will get a break before the next two days of rain/snow: sunny and 52F. Now that's springtime, for us.
Ooooh, a rainbow. We're in mud season here and we don't really have one. As for the fortune? Good analogy. Made me smile at 6:30 in the morning. And, I love your socks.
Posted by: CindyCindy | April 03, 2008 at 07:32 AM
I love how the yarn is caught on Milo's ear.
And the purple toes and heels - great!
Posted by: trek | April 03, 2008 at 09:23 AM
You're so right about buying local. Is your computer store part of a chain or owned by an individual? In Vermont, I'd hope the latter. And the animals -- always winners, esp. Milo.
Posted by: Luise | April 03, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Pretty rainbow! We never see one of those this early in the season.
Posted by: Carole | April 03, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I love all the yarn you've dyed...and that blue fiber is to dye, er live for;-)
Posted by: margene | April 03, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Oooh, look at all that beautiful yarn. I'm trying to go on a yarn diet and there you go putting the equivalent of a chocolate cake in front of me. Oh, and that rainbow above all the mud - what a great metaphor. This morning, I saw a cluster of crocuses (not opened yet) next to the remains of a snowbank. Hope springs eternal. And, yeah for you and your high horse about shopping local-so many benefits.
Posted by: Little Miss Curious | April 03, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Gorgeous as always.
And the rainbow... perfect. We could use one of those. Today is finally sunny, but cold again.
Ahh well, that just means more days to wear yummy socks.
I'm about to frog the sock I started with my Gift PoV yarn... I underestimated the necessary needle size..... the current object, while lovely, will NOT go over my heel. Which is a shame, as it's a top down sock. :-(
Oh well.... I'll try again on slightly larger needles, neh?
Posted by: ShadowDancer | April 03, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Looks like our spring but we don't have as much Mud. Ick.
Love the green/purple socks - and seeing all of the skeins hanging. Love that. I really think I need to come live with you cause I also want your shop and fun new business toys! :)
Posted by: Laura | April 03, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Love the new yarn and the rainbow. And are those little cat feet in the upper corner of your new (and beautiful) socks????
Posted by: Cynthia | April 03, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I don't know about your other readers, but when I see the pictures of the cows and the piggies, while they are super cute on one level, part of me thinks (in Homer Simpson's voice) "yummm, bacon..." I love what you've done for the shop! And yay for wireless internet, I hope it works awesome! I cracked up at the fortune cookie, my coworkers probably thought I was a freak, snickering to myself with my headphones on!
Posted by: Bea | April 03, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I really need to subscribe to your shop feed. lol
Milo looks mischeivous as ever.
Posted by: Kelli | April 03, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait :-)
Posted by: Sherri | April 03, 2008 at 06:31 PM
~snort~ What a fortune! Does that curly eared pig have a mohawk? How cute! I love the new batch of yarn...droooollll
Posted by: Carol | April 03, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Good deal on the computer! Our paper had a piece yesterday about the kids at the tech school (now combined w/ the high school, or vice-versa, they built the new high school adjacent to the tech school)...ANYhow, the kids are building their own computers, for kids in the CAD class to use to design a house, that the kids in the building class will build. how's that?!?!
Posted by: lisa | April 03, 2008 at 09:00 PM
love love love that merino silk. yummy.
And how lovely that a rainbow appeared amidst the spring mud. :-)
that silly Milo - he reminds me of my kitties.
Posted by: Teyani | April 04, 2008 at 01:45 AM
Pretty rainbow - and pretty fiber! Congrats on the new 'puter! :o)
Posted by: JessaLu | April 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM