Sheepie's Little Helpers

I'm an independent old cuss...or so I've been told. But even the most dedicated loners amongst us are grateful for the little elves that like to help out from time to time. Of course, there is that level of assistance that is less than helpful, however well intentioned...

After re-knitting the cursed collar on the almost-flung-across-the-room-in-disgust sweater, I learned a little something about myself. I could have lived the rest of my life without having to deal with this revelation, but epiphanies come whether you are in a receptive mood or not sometimes. My latest little life lesson is this: I bind off tightly. Even when I don't mean to. Even when I am actively trying to bind off loosely. And with some fibers, this means a very, very curly collar. Very. Very. Curly.

Before making a third attempt at this small, but vital part of the garment, I decided to try some aggressive blocking. I pinned out the offending collar on the ironing board, soaked it, steamed it with the iron and even pressed it with the aforementioned block of hot metal. That collar was screaming for mercy by the time I was done with it, lemme tellya! I then left it to sit and think about its behavior and make better decisions for the future. Apparently, someone took this as a sign to step in and monitor the situation.

Do you see the sweater? No you do not. She has the situation covered.

There was no moving the Big, Fluffy Kitty. Hysterical Mind, ever concerned with the possibility of poking, flapped her arms and made dire predictions with regard to the pins finding their way to her fluffy hindquarters, all to no avail. When Persephone decides she is going to help, she is helping and heaven forbid anyone get in her way.

There was also a little of the helpful stuff awaiting me in the mailbox this morning. And this was the good kind of helpful! My blogging circle includes those who would help keep the fiber fire alive here at Sheepish Annie's House Of Hobbies. I mentioned earlier this week that there are some new Etsy stores that were calling my name and the fruits of my on-line shopping labors arrived at the same time.

This should help keep a Sheep out of trouble for a while...

The Samurai Knitter is now sharing her hand-dyed yarns with the world in her on-line store and I was lucky enough to get in there early and snag some very spring-like yarn. The colors make me think of the grass in summer and might just shake a bit of the winter blahs from my brain.

Right around the same time as I was perusing the sock yarns, I got a little heads-up from my favorite fiber pusher. It seems that Anne's store had quietly opened its virtual doors before the official grand opening. Wooly Wonka is due to be fully stocked soon, but there are some delightful things there in the here and now. That includes The Shire blend that found its way to my home and is currently residing on and near my new spindle. To say that this is merely a "pretty" fiber would be an insulting understatement. It is a luscious blend of angora bunny, alpaca, silk and just a touch of angelina...I wandered around hugging it for the better part of an hour.

These are two stops that I highly recommend in your Internet wanderings. Anne's store is linked in the sidebar and I hope to have Julie's up by the end of the weekend. Both are worth the trip even if you simply want to gaze upon the fibery goodness and make plans for your income tax refund...just sayin'!

And now it seems that "the help" would like to be fed. By that I mean the feline assistants that reside here in my home. I'm pretty sure that Anne and Julie know how to operate can openers all by themselves. And that they probably eat a far more balanced and healthy diet than they would get around here anyway.

But the ones who live here need me for the filling of the bowls. And I shudder to think what kind of "help" they might decide to provide should I slack in that duty...

SA