Lots of chocolate and a little yarn

Apparently Valentine's Day is the time of year for chocolate tasting... last weekend I stopped at the Orenco New Seasons for a chocolate taste test, and today was the Chocolate Fest at Whole Foods. I had planned to go the Tanasbourne Whole Foods, but, since I ended up at PSU for most of the afternoon, I decided to check out the Whole Foods in the Pearl District. There was a $5 fee (which was donated to the Christy Care). Not long after I arrived, I ran into Rachel, who I had met during the Seattle to PDX Yarn Crawl. There were chocolate bars to taste, chocolate mousse cups with berries on top, really rich chocolate brownies, chocolate dipped clementines, and even chocolate stout ice cream floats. The Pearl Med Spa was also giving free 5 minute chair massages (totally worth it!). I also got a coffee mug from them, with a peppermint scented body lotion. The other freebie was a Mexican Cocoa scented candle from Pacifica.

After I had my fill of chocolate, I headed to Knit Purl to check out a pattern for Hand Maiden Wool I bought during the yarn crawl. I had forgotten they have knit night on Thursdays, and didn't have any knitting with me. But I did have a glass of champagne. However, I don't think I can drink champagne when I'm knitting...
Though I think the real reason they give out free champagne is to lower your resistance to purchasing more yarn... at least, that's my excuse for the Shi Bui superwash merino yarn I bought. Though I am thinking this yarn will become arm warmers for my aunt, so at least it's gift knitting!

Then it was time to catch the MAX home and have dinner...

knitting in public

I've been knitting on the MAX on the way to PSU as a way to relax before class. This afternoon another passenger commented that it made her happy to see me knitting :) She shared that she learned to knit when she was 13. Since she was getting off the train we didn't get a chance to talk anymore. But I think it's interesting how knitting brings people together... and I know it makes me happy when I see other people knitting in public, too!

Hypnosis and Knitting

I volunteered to take place in a study about knitting and hypnosis. Today was the start date, and I knitted for 15 minutes while listening to the hypnosis MP3. I was surprised how easy it was to focus on the MP3 and the knitting became more automatic. There are several patterns to choose from, which are easy to memorize. I'm making the Yarn Harlot's One Row Handspun scarf using Spincycle yarn that I bought at the Knitting & Crochet show last fall. Glad to have found a pattern that works so well with this yarn!

I think the next 21 days of the study should be interesting... I haven't tried hypnosis before, so trying to be as open-minded as possible! and now I have an excuse to knit for at least 15 minutes a day ;)