07 January 2013

Holiday knits?

I spent the last two weeks at my childhood home in central Kansas where I spent time with my family and made some good memories.

Some highlights were my mother making Steamed Red Bean Buns (which were super yummy) and watching the full, 312 minute long version of Fanny and Alexander directed by the talented Ingmar Bergman (it was still just as profound and confusing).  I was also able to meet up with my close friend Lisa and knit with her, which is always wonderful.

My mother and I visited one of our favorite yarn shops, Oh Yarn It! in McPherson, Kansas.  In addition to having a hilarious name, it is run by a super nice woman who tries to carry mostly U.S. and local yarns.  The store is also a few shops over from a pretty, old opera house.


Uncharacteristically, I also quickly knit up some gifts for my cousin (although I didn't finish them quite in time). 

The hat is Opus Spicatum, a pattern I've knitted before and loved.  The matching gloves were to use up the leftover yarn, I now wish that I had used a pattern to knit them.  Both projects were made out of Cascade 220.  Hopefully my cousin likes them!


I also went flying with my father, which is always fun because we are both private pilots and he has some great stories.  I was able to take some gorgeous aerial photos during the flight, Kansas looks super pretty after it snows a little.


That was my vacation home, I hope you all had a memorable and relaxing break as well!

24 comments:

  1. I'm impressed - a knitter, a spinner, AND a pilot!

    The old building is gorgeous. It would be fun to explore it.

    The hat and mittens are wonderful: I love the color combo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are a pilot too?! That is so neat.

    If I'm ever in McPherson, I know what yarn shop I'll be going to. It looks like a sweet town.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a fun holiday! Love the pics, the presents, and the fact that you can fly a plane :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. You amaze me! Sounds like you had a wonderful break.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to visit that shop so bad. Maybe next time I'll come to you :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like an amazing trip! You are a pilot?! So cool! I also love Ingmar Bergman films, though I don't think I've ever seen that one. I'll have to check it out.

    P.S. I can't wait for a KAL with you! Just say the word!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like you had a great vacation. Your hat and mitts turned out well its a good colour combo I'm sure your cousin will be more than happy with them.

    I love steamed buns but sadly have never made them

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely hat and mittens! I also love the Coke billboard, I love anything that looks like a vintage coke advert!

    And a private pilot? That's so impressive!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Does your mom knit too? I guess fiber addiction often runs in the family...
    I'm sure your cousin loves the hat and the mittens! The color combination is great! I've had the hat in my queue for... well, way too long!
    You're a private pilot?! That is SO amazing! That's probably the most exciting hobby I can think of!

    ReplyDelete
  10. love the mitts and hat - but WOW flying? you are a braver woman than I ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. The hat and mitts are great - it can be good to match without being EXACTLY MATCHY, if you see what I mean.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the tip on Kansas LYS and I sure do like that Opus business.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Yarn It! - LOVE the name! :) Looks like you had a wonderful time at home! Your FOs are lovely, and I love the aerial photos. Flying must be so liberating!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks like you have a great vacation. Love the hat and mitts. Flying, wow!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, I wasn't expecting the bit about being a pilot, very cool! Also, I'm jealous of that yarn shop, it sounds awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You fly too! You have the best hobbies ever! I love your finished knits, chevron is my favorite thing right now.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Quite an exciting holiday time! That picture is exactly how I envision Kansas in my mind's eye. :) So old fashioned and small town! Lucky cousin to get that sweet set you knit up for her.
    *smiles*

    ReplyDelete
  18. The hat and mittens are fantastic!
    I'm glad you had a great time while you were home!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh I like the hat, I think it would also look great with Chroma from Knitpicks with a neutral color inbetween. Anyway, I know that feeling I was knitting a bunch of cup cozy gifts before the party where the new owners would receive them. Sigh why does December go so fast?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow! You had a busy and interesting trip home; I like the scene of the Opera House and it's so nice that they have kept the Coke sign intact. I'm also knitting a beautiful scarf with Cascade 220 in a heather color.

    ReplyDelete
  21. If I were your cousin, I'd be over the moon to have that hat and those mitts! Thank you for sharing your vacation highlights. It sounds like it was wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You're an amazing gal !

    So very talented!

    Love the hat & mitts. Fantastic colors. I may have to check your Rav Project page and these two my list

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful holiday with your ohana! A private pilot? You are amazing. Your cousin's hat is fantastic. Grey looks great with that orange.

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you!