August is here...summer coming to an end, Xmas on its way!!

So I finally broke down and bought a ball winder at the Crochet and Knitting Guild Convention in Oakland last month. Up to that point I have always wound my hanks of yarn the old fashioned way. Around the back of a chair while I watch one of my current favorite movies such as Napoleon Dynamite or Old School--uncensored.
I tried to locate a 'deal' on eBay for a ball winder(no success) and read lots of forums on swifts and ball winders that all helped me on my quest.

I bought my winder from Village Spinning and Weaving, who had a booth at the convention. They are located in Solvang CA. They have awesome yarn for felting and are nice people too. I had visited their shop in April and stocked up on Lambs Pride Bulky for my holiday gift of choice this year. I decided I wanted to make everyone in my family felted clogs.
So back to he ball winder, I can't believe what a dream it is! It winds hanks of yarn into the most beautiful ball of yarn!! I LOVE IT!! I'll never be without it again!

And as for the felted clogs, I am using Beverly Galeskas pattern. It is pretty easy. So far, I have knitted 4 pairs of clogs, in 1 week. I commute to work on BART so that gives me some knitting time. I'm planning on felting them all over my vacation in a couple weeks. I'll post pics before and after.