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We arrived safely in Tel-Aviv, Israel. So after a flight that felt like it took forever with less then 20 min of sleep in the 10 hour flight and full day ahead of us my mom and I embarked on our adventure.
Our first stop The Gourmet Yarn Shop in Ra'anana, I found out about this store from a post in a ravelry forum. I wasn't sure what I would find in the store that would be any different then what I can get in America but with my current obsession with all things knitting related I needed to at least check it out. At the shop they had a decent selection of yarns: cottons, cash-merino, acrylics etc. The owner took the time to talk to me about the shop and the yarns she carried including which ones are a better deal to buy here rather then in America. While my wish to buy Israeli made yarn was not to be fulfilled I did pick up some locally dyed yarn in a turquoise and purple color that I can not wait to work up.
All in all a great first stop on the trip.
Just like my travel plans were delayed by 4 days due to snow so too my blog posts. My Mom and I were suppose to leave NJ a week ago but due to a one day snow storm ( we received 18 inches) the day of our flight we didn't get to leave til this past Sunday.
Not to worry I kept busy those extra days in NJ by making a Honeycomb Tote. Another great pattern written by Grace Akhrem. I picked up the yarn (Punta Yarns Merisoft Space Dyed) at Wildfiber before I left LA and while I was on the east coast I headed over to Purl Soho Patchwork to pick up fabric for the lining.
Before I left on Sunday I was able to assemble the bag but not line it so it will be the first thing I get to work on when I get back to the states in a few days. Until then I will be enjoying and sharing the sites of Israel.
I arrived in New Jersey just in time for it to start to snow. Having lived in LA for the last 6 years I forgot what the morning after a snowfall looks and feels like. It is so peaceful.
Today I started my February travels yes I know its not February yet but its close enough. First stop on the itinerary Skokie, Illinois for a visit with my Aunt & Uncle and cousins for the weekend. Not sure what I was thinking coming to the mid-west this time of year it freezing (12 degrees out) oh why oh why did I leave the warm LA weather.
I made sure before leaving Wildfiber last night to stock up on some knitting projects for the travels. Of course I was too excited about them to wait until I actually left town to start them so I casted on the Cabled Beanie (pattern by Grace Akhrem) using Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed while I was pulling an all nighter packing up for the subletor and being nervous that my sister would over sleep and I would miss my flight. But alas the sis was on time and I got my knitting needles through the nightmare security lines and made my flight. Phew.
While on board I made great progress on the project before completely passing out. When we landed I was about 1/3 of the way through the pattern. The pattern works up so fast, looks amazing and is completely addicting I didn't want to put it down.As soon as the pilot announced the temperature (in case you missed it earlier i will say it again 12 degrees) I was so tempted to stay on the plane and finish knitting the rest of the hat before braving the cold. And in case you didn't know this flight attendants really don't like when you linger.
After a quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts for some delicious coffee I was in the warmth of my uncle's home working on the hat before the kiddies came home from school. I'm sure if it weren't for some Rock Band action and my cousins rendition of pants on the ground the hat would be done already. Now I'm debating between sleep or a finished hat :)
One of my favorite things to do is make lists, that is the one and only thing I like about the concept of New Years as a holiday. Making lists are acceptable practice around this time of year and I am darn good at. Last year my list consisted of losing weight, cleaning my apartment, exercising more, spending less and a whole other bunch of unexciting goals. I am happy to report that some of those goals were achieved unfortunately some were achieved because of crappy circumstances in my life.
I'm looking to the future to my new goals and this year they are all about crafting and culture. I'm learning to let go and going with the concept things happen for a reason.
First up on my goal list is starting a year long Granny Square project. It's simple I will follow the ravelry group 2010 block a month crochet along making 16, 6 inch squares every month for the next year. At the end of the year I hope to have a beautiful blanket for my bed.
I picked out my yarn yesterday at my favorite knitting store in Los Angeles (well technically it's Santa Monica) Wildfiber. This month the pattern is called Little Dahlia. I chose 6 colors for this month, I will be using both greens in all 16 squares and I will pair up the other 4 colors to make different color combinations for the "Dahlia" in the square. Last night I got right to work on my first square. One down 15 more to go.
I'm really looking forward to this project/challenge and being able to have a place to share my progress.
I was at a holiday party on Saturday night and all I could think about was getting home to finish knitting my mittens.
That's when I realized I was a 28 going on 82.
Wow this week has gone by faster then I expected. For the few short days we have been here we seem to have covered a lot of ground. So far our trip included, a stop at the mall in Talpiot (we are from Jersey after all, malls stops are in our blood), power walks around the city for great views, a trip to Yaffo, and a tour of the Aylon Institute which is the site of an underground bullet factory. I'm pretty sure it was a good tour at the Aylon Institute but all I remember is the screaming baby in the group. Here are some pictures from the trip:
