tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73217120486342145392026-10-13T11:29:02.971-07:00These are the somewhat non-fictional tales of an over-ripe paralegal who lives with her husband (ToolMan) and their dog (Andy Rooney), in which she goes on about her knitting, her work, her knitting, her life, her knitting, her friends, her knitting, her hedgehog collection, her knitting, her spinning, and her knitting. And has an occasional hissy fit.Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-31125911698222018582013-04-29T22:09:00.002-07:002013-04-29T22:09:49.044-07:00

Things have been moving at break neck speed it seems so here's a "drive by" blog post! ToolMan and I spotted this on our way to the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival a couple weeks ago; we seriously considered forcing him onto the shoulder for a quick refill! The fiber fest was full of the usual goodies and old friends. I didn't have much time to shop; I spent most of my time

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-17332788587012159732013-03-24T21:10:00.000-07:002013-03-24T21:10:07.434-07:00

Right after I posted last week, I got sick.  So sick that I didn't knit, play with the new loom, or even read the Spin Off magazine that arrived.  Now, that's really sick. I was too sick to knit, but that didn't keep me from being busy doing knitting related things, though.  I"ve accepted the position for Superintendent of Textiles for the Washington County Fair.  The

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-5103608379246504572013-03-17T21:27:00.001-07:002013-03-17T21:28:51.797-07:00

I'm still working on my edge tension; so I knit the first two swatches in Cascade 220.  I"m pretty happy with how they turned out, except for the cast on.  The tension across the swatches is pretty good; there's very little rowing out. I think I've got the edge tension on the left side conquered by wrapping the yarn for the first and last three purl stitches the wrong way, and

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-50249589858436249362013-02-26T21:41:00.000-08:002013-02-26T21:41:26.099-08:00

This week had me working on yet another swatch in the quest for the elusive "gauge" and settling on a yarn to use for the submission swatches.   Greenland is a superwash, and while delightfully bouncy and a joy to knit with (I can hardly wait to make a sweater out of it), it just doesn't block very well.  Oh, you can soak it, pin it out, steam it, and it looks great.  Unpin

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-66486744460499663322013-02-18T15:47:00.001-08:002013-02-18T15:47:09.421-08:00

One of the requirements for Level 1 is a report on blocking and care of knitted items.  I thought I knew all about this subject; then I started research and discovered that I don't know nearly as much as I thought I did.    The more research I read, the less I find out that I knew, and the more I want to learn. The report is supposed to be at least two2 pages but not more

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-63997431138818749852013-02-05T21:36:00.000-08:002013-02-05T21:36:02.057-08:00

Last time I blocked the swatches, I gave them a soak in warm water, squeezed them dry in a towel, and gently patted them out into shape.  They were nice and flat, mostly square, and all were within the gauge needed for worsted weight as required for Level 1 of the TKGA Masters Program.   I wanted to see how the swatches looked after a more involved blocking, and to see how the

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-80376913327556320372013-01-27T22:31:00.000-08:002013-02-09T13:26:17.603-08:00

The Instructions for TKGA Level 1 require that Swatches 1, 2, 3, and 14 all use the same yarn and needles. These are also the only ones that require a calculation of gauge, both stitch and row.  I initially started to knit Swatch 1, and progressing through to the end.  However, Swatch 1 has 2x2 ribbing with garter stitch, Swatch 2 has 1x1 ribbing with stockinette, and Swatch 3 has a

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-90330895119665518742013-01-21T18:52:00.001-08:002013-01-21T22:06:52.141-08:00

There's an old saying, "Start as you mean to go on."  It suggests that being prepared and laying a plan for yourself is more likely to mean success in the end.  And to that end, I began my way to the Masters by preparing my Level 1 Notebook.  Fortunately, when you get your Level 1 materials, it includes not only the Instructions for the work to be done, but also General

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-92041471835726509642013-01-09T21:13:00.000-08:002013-01-09T21:14:50.407-08:00

It's been a long time.  I don't know if anyone still reads this, but I'm plunging into the blog again.  But with a new focus this time. I've changed the layout and look of the blog to something simpler, cleaner, less cluttered.  I plan on focusing more on knitting, crocheting, spinning and fiber arts than personal topics. I'm starting the Master Knitting Certificate from The

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-17566968080114305652012-04-01T21:31:00.000-07:002012-04-01T21:31:47.962-07:00

Yes, I realize I've been silent for a LOOOOONG time.   I've meant to get back to the blog, and this week a couple of friends sent nudging emails so here I am.  I'll try to give the long story short to get everything caught up.  Last fall, our son and his wife separated.  You may remember that our son discovered he had a daughter from a relationship before he met his

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-509036551058999782011-10-09T20:11:00.000-07:002011-10-09T20:11:15.698-07:00

Hang onto your hats, this is a pretty disjointed post because I'm trying to catch up to everything that's happened since OFFF.  First, the good: I gave a demo of chain plying at OFFF.  This is the skein that resulted, which was just skeined and washed up today.  If it looks familiar, that's because it's the leftover of The Big Blue Thing.  I won't knit more turquoise lace, but

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-3059041426994748982011-09-29T21:35:00.000-07:002011-09-29T21:35:28.390-07:00

Last weekend was OFFF.  This year, I had demonstrations to do and a workshop to attend, so I handed the cameras over to ToolMan.  This is how he sees OFFF. Judy Becker taught her Magic Cast On. Old friends were greeted. People watching was done. Hello Kitty pants for cute toddlers were knitted. Lots of pictures were taken. Trtlgrl had a trtlbirthday, complete with trtlcake. The

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-72997912831057090232011-09-21T21:57:00.000-07:002011-09-21T21:57:55.800-07:00

It's official.  THE Book is out in public. And so is the Secret Knitting. I am beyond honored to have a pattern in this book.

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-70101214179586959882011-09-18T20:57:00.000-07:002011-09-18T20:57:15.151-07:00

ToolMan and I made it to the Pearl District for the Refresh Your Stash sale at Urban Fiber Arts.  I was surprised at how much people brought in, and at the low prices! The shop looks so nice with the new slat wall; it shows off the skeined yarn so nicely! I didn't put any stash up for sale, but I did manage to find some lovelies to come home with me.  I think all this case from

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-56703672126572870312011-09-11T00:15:00.000-07:002011-09-11T00:15:07.332-07:00

I remember waking up to the telephone ringing; hearing my sister-in-law's voice on the answering machine.  "Are you guys awake?  You need to see the news."  ToolMan and I jumped out of bed and turned on the television to see the reports of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. A few minutes later, the cameras showed the second plane hitting the other Tower. Then

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-16838398630980928602011-09-04T21:17:00.000-07:002011-09-04T21:17:46.831-07:00

Seven dollars. 

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-86987458520121883642011-09-02T21:44:00.000-07:002011-09-02T21:44:44.348-07:00

ToolMan and I are looking forward to the long weekend; we've got lots of things to get done.  Here's our To Do List for tomorrow: Shopping at Costco (the $200 dollar store)Groceries at WincoGet the laundry doneVacuum and dust the living roomMake a fruit salad for the family get together on SundayGo to Urban Fiber Arts to deliver shawl pins (and for the Refresh Your Stash Sale)

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-79762983291648728402011-08-28T18:36:00.000-07:002011-08-28T18:36:24.564-07:00

I used up some of my hand spun odd balls to knit myself a little bag to carry around my mp3 player and while I was at it, I covered my ear buds in I-cord.  I thought this would be ideal for listening to audio books from the library, and it would be if my mp3 player was compatible with Windows 7 and hadn't reached its "end of life" according to the manufacturer, who is not providing upgrades

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-26987371113130403292011-08-23T21:15:00.000-07:002011-08-23T21:15:40.814-07:00

Remember when I said that I was enchanted with the new Elizabeth Zimmerman book, Knit One Knit All?  That link to the book is for Amazon, but if you're going to buy it, please try to buy it from a bookstore; if we want to keep them around, then we have to shop at them.  Or get it from your local yarn shop, they'll appreciate it. These are the garter stitch sideways

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-43978015502976150112011-08-14T20:56:00.000-07:002011-08-14T20:56:48.754-07:00

Remember a couple years ago, when I knitted ToolMan's Driving Cap? Remember a year or so ago when I was doing Secret Knitting?  Remember my friend, Judy Becker? Judy has written her first book, Beyond Toes: Knitting Adventures with Judy's Magic Cast-On, which isn't available yet - it's due to be released in mid-September - but you can pre-order it from Amazon now. In the book, are 23

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-28852860987064622462011-08-09T20:44:00.000-07:002011-08-09T20:44:14.007-07:00

As hard as re-entry to the regular world was after the first Sock Summit, it felt harder this time.  Maybe it's because I spent so much more time in the market and out amongst the knitters.  I know it's not possible, but what I really want to do is live there.  I'd be perfectly happy; living in a convention center full of knitters and spinners.  I bet I'm not the only one; I

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-88900635078565559332011-08-01T17:02:00.000-07:002011-08-01T17:02:36.703-07:00

Aren't these the cutest things?  Their names are Instep, Heel Flap, and Gusset.   They came from Spinning Ewe Farm in Beavercreek, Oregon.  On Sunday morning, they were sheared, a sample of the fleece was spun and divided into six small samples while the remaining fleece was divided into six two-pound bags. Here's a picture of our team, the PDX Puddle Jumpers, before the fleece

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-22516664625979980202011-07-30T21:16:00.000-07:002011-07-30T21:16:08.784-07:00

I was at Sock Summit again today, but I can't remember what day it is.  Day 3?  4?  Is it Saturday?  My mind is so boggled, I can hardly remember who I am. I do remember who this lady is; she's Anna Zilboorg.  I went to her fantastic lecture, "The Deeper Meaning of Sock Knitting".  Fabulous! After Anna's lecture, I got in line for Larissa Brown's new book, "My

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-29793595202915001742011-07-29T22:16:00.000-07:002011-07-29T22:16:29.119-07:00

This morning, my first duty was to monitor the Marketplace doors for the morning opening.  We checked for badges or stamped tickets.  After the biggest part of the rush, Tina asked if the PDX Knit Bloggers and Spinnerati would host the World's Largest Sock for knitting. She told me it was in a box at the Information Booth; it was so big that I needed help carrying it!  I unpacked

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7321712048634214539.post-24288444589601371572011-07-28T23:00:00.000-07:002011-07-28T23:00:13.516-07:00

Early morning at Sock Summit 2011.  The calm before the storm. Knitters were still getting registered, heading for classes and waiting for the Marketplace to open. I was a teacher's assistant again.  This time, I helped Franklin Habit who was teaching Photographing Your Fiber.  Although teacher's assistants don't get to participate in the class, I still

Bobbie Wallacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00075577612153134396noreply@blogger.com4