I started to do the purl lace socks from Socks X3 but as you can tell, it wasn't really working with this particular yarn. I have tried 3 times to find a pattern for this yarn so finally I just kept going so I'd be done with it. This yarn was from a previous sock-of-the-month kit and is from Fleece Artist.



I started on another pair of socks. I need something I don't have to look at during the Red Sox/Yankees series this weekend. And yes, the socks I've started are red. Too bad I can't knit up some good pitchers for their bullpen instead!

I'm hoping that Albuquerque will soon have a bona fide rabbit rescue again. I've been invited to a party in a couple of weeks for all the rabbit rescue people and I have high hopes. If nothing else, I'll start up the Four Corners Bunnies web site again with photos of rabbits for adoption from the various rescuers.




I can't seem to find Peaches anywhere. Has anyone seen her? For more fun rabbit photos, I highly recommend Peaches' charming and talented friends at the Blog of Pratt, Diva Kitty and the Fluffies, and Simone's Parsley Patch.

Just a quick update to let you know that yesterday I received a postcard from Black Water Abbey Yarns. They said they're going to be at the Albuquerque Fiber Arts Fiesta next week.

The Fiber Arts Fiesta is from May 26-28 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) in the Creative Arts Building in the Fairgrounds. Parking is $2 and admission is $4.

I've been to the Fiber Arts Fiesta and it is fascinating but usually doesn't have a lot of knitting content. But this year the featured artist is Valentina Devine.

I'm not sure I'm going to attend but their web site also had a blurb about a fiber farm and studio tour early June here in the East Mountains. They also had info about the Spring Festival and Animal Fair June 4/5 at Los Ranchos de las Golodrinas which will have sheep shearing, spinning, carding, dyeing and colcha embroidery. I've been to that one before and I definitely want to go again. I promise if I do to take a camera so I can get blog photos.

My current life doesn't allow me much time for knitting or blog-posting so I think I'll keep trying for one post a week instead of anything more ambitious. I've started a few knitting projects and I've abandoned a few knitting projects. I should get started on something new - perhaps just a mindless spontaneous scarf. I do have a pair of socks to finish but that is my only UFO. I'll show those next week and hope to start something new.

I've been meaning to get a photo that shows Peaches' beautiful rabbit eyelashes. This is my best effort so far. It also looks like she only has one ear but you get the idea. Actually after looking at this photo I've decided she needs to go on a diet. What a bunny blob!

You know how rabbits multiply...




I prefer my way for the ears - it is quicker and they can be bent in any shape.

Here are the pithy instructions for the rabbit finger puppets. Knit in the round with size 0 dpns and fingering weight yarn. Cast on 24 sts, join. Start with two rows of purl then knit until desired length. K2TOG across row. Repeat. Draw yarn through stitches. For ears cast on 10 or 12 stitches. Bind off knitwise. For carrots - do 4 stitch I-cord until desired length and top with some green yarn that has been frayed. Use the fraying technique also for the whiskers.

Here's a quickie hat done in Cascade 220 (on sale now at Webs) from Nicky Epstein's hat book. It has those fun curlicues on top.




Speaking of great sales, Gaiam appears to have all their yoga videos on sale for between $1.99 and $4. I ordered almost 20 - every one I didn't already own. That will effectively double the amount of yoga videos I have and I can't wait until they arrive. I usually do between 1 and 2 yoga videos a day.

My favorite yoga video of all time is Ali McGraw's Yoga Mind and Body. It really has little to do with Ali McGraw - the talented instructor is Erich Schiffman. This video for intermediate yogis was filmed here in NM and is beautiful to look at. I love this music more than any other video and it is perfectly coordinated with the energy of the poses. It includes my 2 favorite poses - the bow pose and the bridge pose.

Rodney Yee's AM yoga is a really nice and simple little 20 minute practice when I can't manage a longer routine or I'm feeling under the weather. It includes lots of good hip openers. He manages to include a breathing segment and a relaxation segment.

Yoga for Relaxation has two routines - a restorative practice with Patricia Walden and a practice using forward bends and a chair with Rodney Yee. If you're not terribly flexible, are a beginner, have any health issues or just really need to relax, this video will help. You'll need a variety of pillows and blankets to do the first routine but the results are just as good as a day at the spa.

Crunch Candlelight Yoga with Sara Ivanhoe is perfect if you can't sleep. This video has lots of twists and forward bends to help you relax. The instructor emphasizes being gentle with yourself and not pushing yourself into poses. After the Ali McGraw video, this is my second most used yoga video.

Sacred Yoga Practice with Rainbeau Mars - this is a 4 volume set. I can't stand the Beginners routine - it doesn't even strike me as yoga. The other three are worth the money though - Pure Tranquility (also good for before sleep), Pure Power and Pure Sweat. Pure Power and Pure Sweat always get my muscles shaking. I love that she holds the poses longer than most yoga videos.

Total Yoga with Tracey Rich and Ganga Lee is perfect for when I have 70 minutes to spend on myself. This video is for intermediate and advanced students and Ganga shows variations of poses which are only for advanced students or human pretzels. I know some people find her strong southern accent distracting but it works for me. On the other hand, those fingernails... :) I've always thought if I could ever go to a yoga retreat I'd choose one at their studio, White Lotus.

A new video which is growing on me is Rod Stryker's PM Peak Performance Video. The music doesn't really work for me but it is a nice well-rounded routine for evening. I ordered the AM one to go with it from the Gaiam sale.

I finished spinning all the bunny fur. I am SO HAPPY. As much as I loved being covered with fur, vacuuming every 60 seconds, and continuously having fur in my mouth and my nose and my eyes, I am thrilled this project is finished. Some of the fur was too short for me to spin so I'm sending it back. I believe there should be enough fur to knit 3 scarves to auction off for the House Rabbit Society.

I have a few knitting projects in progress and should have something to show you soon.

I'm trying to decide if I should shampoo the carpet but Peaches is already mad at me for rearranging the living room furniture. Do I dare irritate her further? Here is my favorite photo of her from last year.