I was in Taos

How does one offer her regrets for being absent so long?




Can I offer you a delicious cupcake?

My creations in the past couple weeks have been restricted to birthday cupcakes and my continued work on the dad scarf.

My energy has been better spent thinking about new projects that I plan to begin before I finish even one of my seven (yes seven) works-in-progress. I know. It's an often heard bit of blog-whining, but it's troubling me, so I whine.
I've been finding great solace, during this drought of tangible things, in my impressive ability to daydream about all the things I wish I could make.

The good news is that this was an excellent state-of-mind to be in as I strolled through the Taos Wool Festival. I just harnassed that daydreaming energy and marched around tossing yarn into the stroller:

Yarn for big-boy mittens (largely purple, of course).

Thick, loosely handspun bright orange yarn for big-boy hat (with pompon, of course).

Holy cow-big hank of super-colorful yarn that I wound into a ball the size of a watermelon. No project in mind there. I just knew it had to be home with me.

A beautiful skein of pale lilac handspun for my mother-in-law.

The best find of all was at Taos Sunflower. The constant rain forced us inside for a time and I believe it was destiny, because that warm and lovely shop is where I found six skeins of Malabrigo Merino. Spectacular yarn. More like cashmere than merino. So lofty and light and so !#(%!%@ gorgeous.

I will use it to create the sweater I wrote about here.
I want to do a simple top-down (one piece) with a deep v-neck and with a few funky touches that will make it all mine.

To say I'm excited about this sweater is a gross understatement.

Taos was perfect. I was accompanied by my dear friend Kelena (who was sans kiddos, and consequently more giddy than usual) and my little kiddo, who is pictured here, at Embudo Station in a pair of little pants knitted by me. I think its perfect that he's wearing his denims as he leans casually against the Jeep.



Embudo was so stunning. Glowing yellow leaves, and a tranquil little river's edge, where people sat looking relaxed as only New Mexicans can. The views astonish me everytime I drive between Santa Fe and Taos. It's a drive I've taken many times and it always makes me feel grateful.





At the festival I saw many things that made swoon, but I had to capture this knitted biplane by Ellen of Ellen's Woolly Wonders. She had a whole flock of knitted critters all of which charmed me completely. She sells the patterns and I was tempted, but there is no time now for knitted biplanes.



Finally, here's a shot of our encounter with Chrissy the Alpaca.


Thank God for furry animals to make this trip worthwhile for the one year old.  ¶ 9:45 PM