Various and sundry

Much to my delight, the Black Bunny Hopalong is in full swing. Visit the official Hopalong blog and post about your project (even if you haven't cast on yet - part of the fun is watching things develop) and add yourself to our Frappr map. (If the map doesn't work, please let me know -- I had to fiddle around to get it to load and I've never done it before.)

I just finished dyeing 2 skeins for myself to play with:



Details on the Hopalong blog -- as soon as I get my stir-crazy kids aired out somehow.

A huge shout-out to Wendy and Christina, for thinking up the idea and doing so much to get the project going. I really appreciate it. If you are looking for a podcast to listen to, check out Knitty D and the City. Occasionally you may even hear the dulcet tones of my heinous Philly accent on there.

Excellent New Pattern Source

My pal Courtney, who is a Rosie's staff member and extremely talented knitter, crocheter and designer, just began her own line of patterns, called Smith Island Pattern Factory. You can visit her blog and purchase the patterns there; they're also available from Rosie's. Her adorable pattern for a vintage-styled baby jacket knit in Koigu, called "Beatrix,"



is flying out the door at Rosie's (along with our new shipment of Koigu....) and I've already purchased a great men's sock pattern that I might knit up with some BBF yarn. I wish I was one of those people who only needed to sleep three hours a night. There's so much I want to do and not nearly enough hours in the day.

Excellent New Yarn Source

Loyal reader Barb Brown, who is also a regular at Joe and Marilyn's blogs, has begun her own enterprise, called Wild Geese Fibres. Barb is another amazing knitter, and she is offering some unusual breed fibers in various weights. I've seen some samples and they are lovely.

Louet Spinning Wheel for Sale

And last in the category of shameless commerce, my friend Mary is looking to sell her used but in excellent condition spinning wheel. Sadly, I have lost both the Post-It note on which she wrote what kind of wheel it is (although I believe it's a Louet) and the JPEG she sent me of it. However, she takes excellent care of her wheels (she has several; hence the need to divest herself of one) and is a kick-ass spinner and knitter. She lives in the Philly area. If you would like more info, please email her at MtheSpinnerATverizonDOTnet.