Setting Expectations

For those of you who don't fly often, or who haven't flown in a year or two, I thought I'd let you know what to expect.

Amateur Travelers
My flight home on this past Thursday was filled with what I call "amateurs." It's a standard commuter flight, so usually there are less than 20% of irregular fliers on board, so with about a 50% amateur to pro ratio, I was able to realize something I hadn't seen for a while.

If you fly into or out of any major airport, and you have any of the following expectations, you will most probably be disappointed:

- There will be any food or drink served on board
- The gate crew will be civil, helpful or not cranky
- The flight will board on time
- The flight will push back on schedule
- The seat will be comfortable
- The plan will be clean
- There will be plenty of empty seats next to you
- There will be enough room in the overhead bins to store your carry-on
- There won't be at least 10 planes in front of yours waiting to take off
- The plane will take off on time
- The plane will arrive on time at your initial destination to meet any connecting flight
- The ground crew at your initial arrival will help you make your flight in any way
- You will be provided any vouchers for food or lodging if you miss the last flight of the day
- If your flight gets cancelled, you will get any compensation whatsoever

Don't get me wrong, there are times when many of the things on this list happens, but you can't expect them to, or you will often be disappointed.

I felt awful telling the woman next to me that landing at 5:45 at the F terminal in Philadelphia airport, would not allow her to make her 5:58 connecting flight out of C terminal (the flight was supposed to be in Philadelphia before 5:00).

Current Knitting
This past weekend, I spent most of my knitting time working on (and finishing) the secret project that I can't discuss or show pictures of.

I also searched for, and found, the pieces of the dark tweed pullover, and sewed on the sleeves, and sewed up one side seam.



After this picture was taken, I finished sewing up the other side seam and started knitting the collar. I also weaved in all ends, so all I have to do when the collar is finished is wash and block this sucker.

Another wool sweater finished just in time for the warm weather.

Readers' Comments/Questions
Ellie writes, "Since you do a lot of spinning I wonder if you might help me with a question. I wondered why yarn like Noro Silk Garden and a few others I know of come through with really bad strands of yarn. Very very thick in spots and very thin in others."

There are many reasons for thin and thick yarn, most of which occur because of the preparation of the fiber prior to spinning, or the spinning or plying itself. Even though I've used Noro a lot, I'm not sure what specifically happens to Noro, but I consider it to be part of the yarn's charm that it's uneven. Especially with the Silk Garden, it gives the knitted fabric character.

Lorraine asks if I'd like to sell the Handspun Treasures from Rare Yarns book.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I just took a look at the book this past weekend, and I think I'd like to keep it in my library. Getting it second hand looks like the way to go, if you can. It never seems to be discounted from the $25 price.