Wait, Wait...Not Yet!

  I'm not ready to go back to work! Four days flew by, but I loved every moment of my four day weekend, whether scrubbing the kitchen, laughing with a friend, lazing with Linda on Sunday, or immersing myself in wool most of yesterday. Totally stumped on the sock thing...it's time to start the heel and the directions are baffling me. At some point I'll try to follow them as best I can, but suspect that in a couple of weeks I'll be arriving at Countrywool pleading for assistance. Found a Ravelry group dedicated to sock knitters, with an emphasis on beginners, so I'm hoping there may be guidance there, too. One of my issues is that I have no idea what a 'slip stitch' is, or what 'with yarn in back' means, so research is needed!

  Rather than allow my woolly day to end in stress over it, I put the sock aside pending help, and started working on a felted Earth goddess. Got off to a false start and found myself looking at a blocky green wedge. Sometimes ya gotta know when to start over, so I began again, and this is where I've left off:

 

There's alot more to do, obviously. My imagination has a finished picture, but I was fascinated to find myself letting go of that and allowing the wool's variegated colors and texture direct me. That's so unlike the control-freak me, but a pretty cool ride!

  I wrapped up the day with some practice spinning using that dark brown Shetland I showed you previously. I wondered if I'd experience a difference between spinning that and the Romney and Merino I've been using. The Shetland I have is a shorter staple than some of what I've been using, but either I'm getting better, or it's pretty good to work with... dare I say I was actually pleased with my progress (for the most part)? There was definitely more consistency. Feels very good to see myself improving! I'll fill up the current bobbin, and move on to some plying practice. The next class is almost three weeks away, so I'll be a happy camper if I'm spinning reasonably consistent yarn, and have a solid grasp on plying. TRYING to...not lower my standards exactly, just be kinder and more accepting of my personal learning curve. That's a challenge in and of itself!