Episode 205 Georgia on My Mind

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This episode is sponsored by Quince& Co, where you will find 100% American wool yarn spun in their historic mill, as well as purveyor of responsibly grown plant fiber. Find them at www.quinceandco.com.

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You can also find me here:

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Ravelry Group

Knitting Pipeline Retreats Group.

Events and Announcements

Knitting Pipeline Georgia which was fabulous. There were 28 of us at the retreat... Thanks to all of you for coming and a big thank you to Jo, Qwiltnknitnut for finding the venue and helping me with details. I’ve had some questions about next year, and yes, I have tentatively booked dates so we’ll be planning on it again. I would also like to thank Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade for coming over from London to be a part of the retreat. Helen’s been talking about the retreat on the Curious Handmade podcast and it’s really fun for me to hear her thoughts on it.

Photo by Susan Wilkins of Fresh Photography

Those who are interested in the Maine Retreat in Kennebunk ME (I’ve had questions), that is next on the agenda. Previous attendees will have preference in the sign ups and the spots that are left will be lottery fashion.

Nature Notes

Happy Earth Day and Earth Week!

John Muir Misquotes (if it has the word “tug” in it, then it is a misquote.)

First version he wrote (and later paraphrased or reworded).

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."

Also correct:

When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe.

This morning as I sat down to breakfast I saw a Barred Owl sitting on one of our still-mostly-leafless trees near the house. Owls can stay in one place for a long time so I had time to get my camera and got a few good photos I will share on the blog. He watched me from his perch and flew to a few different branches. There wasn’t much activity at the bird feeders while he was hanging about although there were a few birds still feeding and not too concerned. I was hearing chip notes from them which I’ve learned is a warning call to other birds.

Can you find the Barred Owl?

He's in the middle of the photo.

Later on he gave me a nice view of his beautiful back feathers.

Then he flew away.

If you see a predator bird such as an owl or a hawk being “attacked” by other birds, that is called mobbing. I’ve witnessed this many times especially with owls in the woods and hawks. The smaller birds are essentially letting the predator know, “Yes, we see you and no, you are not having any of us.” They are on the offensive, so to speak. Owls rely on stealth, not speed or fancy maneuvers, to capture prey. If you have seen an owl in flight it isn’t doing acrobatics like a hawk can do. I’ve seen hawks swoop around the area of the feeders chasing after a smaller bird. They can make sharp turns and do it quickly. Owls are more straight line fliers and generally are catching their prey unawares.

Today was my lucky bird sighting day because I also happened to be looking at the creek when a Great Blue Heron flew down along it and landed somewhere along the banks. I grabbed my camera, coat (yes we still need them as it was 38 and windy), donned my mud shoes and hiked down there. I walked as quietly as I could but did not get another glimpse of the heron. I was telling my new birding friend, Liz, at the Georgia retreat that I usually see a Great Blue in the spring at the creek but had not seen one yet this year. Liz, I saw it!

Our woods and creek after the Great Blue Heron left.

It was so refreshing to leave leafless Illinois and land in leafed out Atlanta. The trees were not completely leafed out when we were there, about 50% I’d say. Outside our meeting room was a large deck and porch where we could sit in big wicker-like chairs and knit while being surrounded by bird activity…and frogs too. When it rained, as it did every day, we sat underneath the large porch roof with our knitting. In the early mornings the bird song was so intense that it was almost impossible to discern one bird from another. Our rooms had doors to the outside as well as to the hallway so I opened the door every morning to listen before getting dressed. It was a perfect setting for knitters and nature lovers.

Our nature quote is from Theodore Roosevelt, who was influenced by John Muir, and is responsible for much of the preservation of natural areas and national parks in the US.

Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” — Theodore Roosevelt

What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young.

Needle Notes

We had Show and Tell which is always good for adding to the queues. We had break out sessions taught by volunteers. Thank you Liz, Kim, Helen.

Magic Cakes that were born at Charlie Elliott. Three of these were made by Heather and one by me.

·        Magic Cake Instructions on my blog (Episode 150)

·        Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl

Lis with giant Magic Cake

Magic Cake making in progress

·        Sock Discussion lead by Liz. “An Investigation into Sock Performance”

Whippersnapper by Hunter Hammersen (discontinued pattern) (LizzieH)’

Donna0314’s Rumpelstilskin and Pisum Socks both by verybusymonkey.

Angie (silverbell) picot edge on top down socks. On turning row does a p2 tog instead of k2tog to give it a sharper point.

·        Beading with Kim

1.      Prestringing

2.      Crochet hook

3.      Flosser method

Tip: don’t need to work stitch after placing bead.

·        Color theory by Helen Stewart

We also had impromptu sing-alongs led by Donna with her ukulele.

Dianne and Missy sing along

Favorite tip:        (Lisa or Lee?) tighten interchangeable needle with non-dominant hand.

My Retreat Projects

Lichen by Larissa Brown

PrairiePiper’s Lichen

Socks in 3 x1 Ribbing

Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stealer Anne’s Story

PrairiePiper’s August 20 socks

Reinforced toes with Kid Silk Haze.

The Blethering Room

 

Porch Knitting in Georgia. This says it all.

High Note Low Note

Little phone or internet service: High note and Low Note

In the Pipeline

Pebble Beach KAL with Curious Handmade.

Paula and Helen

Helen graciously donated two patterns to each person at the retreat. One paper and one digital. I intended to have a Knit along before the retreat but instead we are doing one after to celebrate the release of the updated version of Helen’s popular Pebble Beach Shawlette on May 5.

Jo aka Qwiltnknitnut is going to help me so I’m going to let her start the thread when she is back from Stitches South.

Previous Pebble Beach or Helen’s other shawls count! Must have a project page for each entry.

Curious Handmade KAL

30% off KPKAL30 until May 30^th

30% with code KPKAL30 until 31 May (I’ve made it for any Rav pattern and any collection).

The Uncommon Thread will donate a skein of her Merino Lace as a prize which is what I’ve used for the medium sample.

Here is the Yarn and Needle info for the new sizes of Pebble Beach:

Medium
The Uncommon Thread, Merino Lace 100% superwash merino, 600m/660yds per skein, 1 x 100g skein, Colourway: Mermaid

Or 1 x 100g skein of heavy lace weight yarn totalling approximately 600m/660yds.
(Note: The used approximately 75g of the skein so you may be able to knit piece with a slightly smaller yardage – approximately 500m)

Large
The Uncommon Thread, Heavenly Lace 70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere 800m/880yds per skein, 1 x 100g skein, Colourway: Attic Room

Or 1 x 100g skein of lace weight yarn totaling approximately 800m/880yds.
(Note: The sample used approximately 75g of the skein so you may be able to knit piece with a slightly smaller yardage – approximately 650m)

Needles
Small: 4mm (US 6), 100cm (40”) long circular needles (or size to obtain gauge)
Medium and Large
As above. If you prefer you might like to use 3.75mm (US 5) needles for laceweight yarn.

Keep close to Nature’s heart ... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”-- John Muir

Have a great week, haste ye back, and hold your knitting close.