Pamela's Knitting

Giving a hand to the new year

2012-01-17T22:29:00.005-05:00

I spent the final week of 2010 very focused on two projects for the December Old Maiden Aunt KAL. This month was colourwork gloves or mittens. Three patterns were picked and I wanted to do one. I ended up doing the other two. Here they are:

Year End Paper Mitts

Pattern: Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jung
Source: Her website
Yarn: Old Maiden Aunt Merino Superwash 4-ply, colourway Baobhan Sith and natural
Yarn Source: Bought from Lilith at different times.
Needles: US 0 and 2
Cast-on/off: 12/20-31/11
Mods: These are actually fingerless gloves. I made them into fingers. For this reason, they ended up too soon as I made them to fit my fingers but didn't think mittens needed to be looser. So did size small but wish I had done medium. Fun: I absolutely loved watching this pattern unfold. So proud of it. And a good present for Valerie,who has very small hands!

Thought I was done, but then someone made another pair of fingerless mitts into gloves. And they were cool. And I needed blue gloves. So off I went! Didn't have a printer, so entered the new era and did the pattern in the computer.

Not the Winter Blues

Pattern: Lusekofte-sque Mitts by Mary Rourke
Source: Ravelry Download

Yarn: Old Maiden Aunt Merino Superwash 4-ply, colourway November Blues and natural
Yarn Source: Bought from Lilith in November
Yarn notes: The November Blues was a special one-off colour. So happy I grabbed it! The other colours I bought just for the project I'll use another time.
Needles: US 2 and 2.5
Cast-on/off: 12/31/11-1/2/12
Mods: Pretty major, the whole adding fingers. If you have Rav, Lillerina made detailed notes that I followed. Came out perfect. Fun: Actually had lots of fun doing these, they moved fast, were interesting and enough challenge to feel like I was always moving. And I totally adore living them.

Trip Through Your Wires, or Fingers

2012-01-14T21:23:00.005-05:00

Here's a pair of socks I totally missed posting over the summer. I like to knit socks with bamboo in them over the summer. Like wearing them too. These were this summer's pair. I started them and took them along with me when we went to see U2 in Baltimore in June- I know, again! We got there quite early on a beautiful summer evening and I got lots of knitting done waiting for the band to come on and another few hours waiting for the police to open the road we were parked on after the concert.

Thus, these socks are part of that memory. For us old fans (ie retro!) we remember when Bono was called Bono Vox. I figured the Irish Girls yarn would be happy to be named after Ireland’s biggest star. They are very nice socks. Won't be trying to save the world or anything, but will make me happy each time I wear them.

Bono Sox

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks by Evelyn Clark
Book: Favorite Socks, ed. by Ann Budd
Yarn: Three Irish Girls McClellan Fingering, colourway Niall
Yarn Source: Bought it at the 3IG booth at the Homespun Yarn Party several years ago. What a horrid event it is, so very crowded, but you can get good yarn!
Needles: #1 16" addi circulars. My first pair of socks on two circulars. I really like it, especially for bus knitting. Cast-on/off: 5/18-8/12/11 (May YOSS)
Mods: Can't remember--- I think it's just the stitch pattern on my standard vanilla pattern.
Fun: Ummm, knit on them waiting for U2, so duh! Also they match fun nailpolish!

Hederas, finally

2012-01-14T15:12:00.008-05:00

In spring 2006, Cookie A released the Hedera pattern in Knitty. I bought yarn almost immediately to make a pair. Never did. I joined Ravelry in November 2007 and one of the first patterns I queued was Hedera.

Last October, the Cookie A group had a "do random Cookie A pattern" KAL and I saw my chance. I have made Hederas, finally.

The project travelled and I loved knitting it. I even sat on the NYC subway knitting them (photo by Sooze after we spent the day together. I bought Madtosh DK yarn in Steam Age). And why did I wait so long? I don't know!

Hederas, Finally

Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A.
Source: It was originally in Knitty but is now in Cookie A's book Knit Sock Love.
Yarn: Madtosh Tosh Sock in Baltic
Yarn Source: Eat Sleep Knit
Yarn notes: Was always going to knit these in black but then Lisa in WI knit a pair in bright blue that were so amazingly beautiful! So these are blue. Maybe I'll do them in black next.
Needles: #1.5

Cast-on/off: 10/17-12/12/11
Fun: These were- enough to be interesting but not so much as to be distracting. Mods: None, not allowed for Cookie KALs. And I'm fine with that as these were lovely.

So happy I finally made them. So lovely! And they count as part of my pair a month!

Year end report for 2011 Socks

2012-01-09T21:39:00.011-05:00

Still playing December catch-up! Have quite a few projects to report on...one every few nights. But this is my last Christmas present report!

Aunt Sheila got a pair of stripey socks. They're vanilla and knit out of Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett in 04453 I bought in Knitty City two years ago. Knit them on 1.5 needles and knit 9/17-12/10/11. They were also my September socks.Now that 2011 is over, how did I do on my Year of Stash Socks project?
Not great. The problem was they kept picking crappy patterns I had zero interest in. And I kept getting distracted with other challenges. Ithink I only did an official YOSS pattern like six times. Still, I did 16 pairs of socks in 2011! So I did not follow the program, but I still did awesome! Almost all from yarn that had been in my stash over six months.
I'm continuing the theme this year. I've joined the Personal Sock Club group. I wrote 12 different things on cards- a specific pattern or yarn or instructions to pick something at random using the random number generator. Pick one a month. Hopefully knit down stash more. This month I got rng with my yarn stash so am doing a pair of vanilla socks in this beautiful Twisted Fiber Arts yarn. Awesome start!

These are the droids you're looking for

2011-12-29T23:21:00.006-05:00

(thanks to Liz for the title)

Growing up, my brother was a huge Star Wars fan. Everything for years was Star Wars. Now that he's grown, he still keeps that interest (although it's hard to tell what is interest and nostalgia) This fall he started e-mailing me R2-D2 sweaters and hats. They were a bit over the top for my taste. So I found something else that still had the Star Wars theme, but sedate enough a grown man wouldn't feel too kitschy wearing it.

Pattern: Isn't really one. I took the basic construction from the Pirates hat I made in 2007 and then selected some charts from a website with Star Wars charts. I cast on 128 stitched with size 2 needles for lining then switched to size 4 and with 144 stitches for the outside of the hat.
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Sport in Winter night, black, white, peapod and cobblestone heather
Cast-on/off: 12/16-19/11
Fun: So cool how it ended up!
Other notes: Not hard and had forgotten how much I like colour knitting.

Oh, it did end up being a bit big on a grown man with a big head.

Stay tuned, there's more Christmas knitting coming!

Shiny as a Christmas ornament..or stripper pole

2011-12-27T16:29:00.005-05:00

I made these socks for mom for Christmas in good faith. But somehow by the time presents were opened yesterday, they had been dubbed stripper socks. Actually mom calls the New England stripper socks, cause only in New England would strippers wear socks. The socks are shiny and have peek-a-boo parts. Started off so much more classy.

Dewy Bluebells

Pattern: Kai Mei by Cookie A
Pattern Source: Sock Innovation
Yarn: Old Maiden Aunt Merino/Nylon/Sparkle in Bluebells
Yarn Source: Ordered directly Yarn Notes: Sparkly yarn? Yeah right. Neither my morther nor I are sparkly people. But then I saw it IRL when I was visiting Lillith this summer... and it was so beautiful! So got some for both of us! Here's a bad sock photo, but you can almost see the sparkly. It doesn't photograph.Needles: 1.25 dpns
Cast-on/cast-off: 10/29-11/25/11
Fun: These flew once I figured out the peek-a-boo stitch. And that was really fun and so cool how it worked everytime! I didn't like the casting on again after it though.

Aren't they beautiful? And mom loves them, even if they're stripper socks.

And they qualified for the Cookie A Celebration Tour.

What's Scottish for Along? Or Lemming?

2011-12-03T20:14:00.005-05:00

Remember Lilith and her wonderful Old Maiden Aunt Studio I visited in Scotland last summer? She hosted a Knit-Along of the Karise Shawl in November. So of course I joined in! I had the yarn I bought on the trip that was wound at the studio, but it had not found happiness in the project it was being used for. So it waited and found much happiness in November.

Last Night's Red ShawlPattern: Karise by Karina Westermann (I met her at John Lewis in Glasgow! This report is teaming in celebrities!)
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Old Maiden Aunt merino/cashmere/nylon in Last Night's Red Dress. Two skeins
Yarn Source: I bought it at the studio itself in West Kilbride!
Yarn notes: And the first skein was wound by Lillith herself! It's famous person yarn! And it's lovely, as famous yarn should be!
Needles: #6 Chia Goos
Cast-on/off: 11/1-18/2011 (in KAL time! Boo-yah!)
Fun: I think I was a bit too focused on the timing
Mods: I made it bigger because it's designed as a shawlette and I don't like shawlettes! The mods are: 179 stitches for stockinette section; 6 repeats of chart A; 6 repeats of chart B (wish I had enough yarn for a 7th); Extra repeat of the last row of chart C.

Love! It's my new office shawl. Warm AND pretty!

Time and Relative Dimension in Socks

2011-10-03T20:45:00.006-05:00

Season 6 ended Saturday (he married River! Or did he? It was wonderful no matter what!) And right on schedule, I finished the Tardis socks I started during the Christmas special. So long! But I only worked on them while watching the show.

And the highlight of the finale? Not the crazy skulls. Or Amy defending Rory. Or River standing up to the Doctor. Or Dickens promoting his Christmas show on morning tv. Or even the wonderful tribute to the Brigadier. Nope, it was the Doctor reading a knitting magazine. So cute!

But I get distracted

TARDIS socks

(notice- I also have a Tardis project bag! Birthday gift!)

Pattern: Tardis socks by Keladry Bonnett
Source: Ravelry Download
Yarn: String Theory Caper Sock in Bye Bye Blues, Natural and Jet

Yarn source: Loopy Ewe for the Blue and directly from String Theory for the other

Yarn comments: Why do I love this yarn SOOO much! Feels so great to wear. And the colours? Wow! This blue is perfect and lovely.

Needles: Knit Picks Harmony #1

Cast-on/off: 12/30/10 (during the Christmas special) to 10/3/11 (right after the season ended!)
Fun: These were cool to see how they worked. And the yarn is to die for!
Mods: The stripes at the toes were added. I was running out of blue yarn so the stripes are to buy a couple extra inches. But I love the stripes!

And they aren't bigger on the inside. Which is a good thing since I like my socks to fit! We'll have to go. As Idris said to the Doctor she didn't take him where he wanted to go,but "I always took you where you needed to go." We'll see where these take me.

The End of Summer

2011-09-30T19:46:00.003-05:00

There's a nip in the air this evening. Summer must be over. My summer was a bit wild in the knitting area. Realizing this early on, I did a chart to keep track of my projects. See-not as much pink as I would like- but I did pretty good. I finished all 3 Camp Loopy projects and have the wollmeise to prove it. I finished on IndigoDragonfly KAL project and finished my first pair of Cookie A socks. And I knit a shawl that got a big fancy ribbon!

So here is the final Camp Loopy project. You could knit anything you wanted as long as you used at least 800 yards of yarn. I used 1,029 yards. In half the time! And it's the perfect colour for the gray end of summer we've had.

Camp Stripes on a Rainy Day

Pattern: Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Valimaki
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Loopy Solid Series in Black (2 skeins), Smoke (1.5 skeins) and Dove (1 skein)
Source: The Loopy Ewe, duh
Needles: #5
Cast-on/off: September 1-14, 2011
Mods: I kept going till I ran out of yarn. I did the stripes at random intervals, mostly because I had more of one colour. Iadded a big stripe in the middle of the contrast colour, which I really like the effect of. I wish I had had more black yarn to do more rows on the edge.
Fun: It was pretty much all garter. At times mindnumbingly dull. But it was fun to watch it unfold. And I love wearing it- it's my office shawl now.

What I did on vacation

2011-09-18T15:15:00.005-05:00

These is the aforementioned Old Maiden Aunt Last Night Red Dress yarn I bought for a special scarf, but the scarf needed more than fingering weight yarn. So that got frogged.

I started the Wendy Johnson pattern Highland Fling. It's fun, but I didn't run through it! Will keep working on it! Here is Kevin modeling the socks. I named him Kevin after the man who created our trail so when got annoyed at it, we had someone to yell at.

Otherwise whenever I had time, I did more rows of my second BFF sock part of a KAL. I sat at Lilith's studio and knit on them. I could have finished on time, but British airport security don't like knitting needles, so I didn't. It seems odd I couldn't finish, but most nights I just fell asleep in the evening. They are finally done, and I love them!

Their beginning was just as auspicious- I started them in the lengthy queue to get into the Alexander McQueen exhibit- Savage Beauty. Therefore, they are

My Savage Friend

Pattern: BFF by Cookie A
Source: Knit Sock Love
Yarn: Old Maiden Aunt mcn in Moody
Source: Direct from Lilith (but mailed, not picked up!)
Yarn Note: I used this yarn for a lovely pattern last December. But it was a bad pattern and the heel was completely wrong and I put it in timeout. Lilith was a sponsor the the Knit Sock Love KAL so I decided to frog the evil project and restart. So happy- cause this yarn deserves to be worn!
Needles: #1.5 chia goo circulars
Cast-on/off: 7/13/-9/16/11 (the deadline for the KAL was Sept 1. Oh well)
Mods: None. I did have problems keeping track of rows for cable, then when I was at the yarn shop in NYC after the exhibit, I had a brilliant idea that one of those little row counters on a stitch marker was the answer- and it was!
Fun: Not painful...and the yarn is lovely! It's a good basic pattern I'm sure I'll do again and again.Because of deadlines knitting and craziness, I am counting these as August YOSS sock.

And to the title, I also walked on vacation. A lot.

Vacation report, part two

2011-09-05T16:21:00.006-05:00

Now for more exciting yarn news- going to places yarn comes from! After a day in Copenhagen, I got in a puddle jumper to fly over a puddle, or the North Sea which is a huge cold puddle, to arrive at Scotland.

Day One we went to New Lanark- a utopian mill town from the early 1800s. A very cool site, but terribly interpreted. You learn more about it in a mill visit in New England, as many of the US mills took Robert Owens' utopian ideals. There was also no yarn to be bought as it only sold by the bag. But it was still a good day out.

Then the next day, Amanda met us at our hotel and took us out to visit the Old Maiden Aunt studio in West Kilbride. I did my Highland Pathways in her yarn and am currently working on two projects- BFF socks and Crow Waltz shawl.

So we took a lovely drive and wandered around the village until Lilith opened the studio and spent a few hours sitting around, chatting, having tea and buying yarn. Since it was the start of my trip I was restrained- what a mistake! I bought two skeins of Last Night's Red Dress in mcn to knit the Glasgow Argyle Scarf- although after two repeats I ripped it out as it needs heavier yarn. But Lilith wound the yarn just for me!

While Lori and Amanda knit.

Look at the wall of yarn!

And the yarn drying! (not that many because she was testing future club skeins and no photos allowed! They were pretty though!)

Here's the goodies I brought home- all in a ghillie dhu bag!<
I need to go back and buy more!

Vacation Part One

2011-09-04T19:52:00.005-05:00

My trip began with a flight change in Copenhagen, where I got to spend a little over 24 hours. I saw the sites.

And learned the miracle of the Little Mermaid. Having made much progress on the walking tour, I decided to enjoy the view of the mermaid and water and sit and knit a bit. But I dropped the stitch counter in my bag, dug in... and found the sternum strap I had lost before the trip!

And then it started raining, so I decided to put my coat on. But wait... there was an impediment!

Sticking out of my coat was the needle I lost in January! I was knitting on my whiddershins on the bus and the needle disappeared. Poof into thin air! I looked all over my part of the bus. Nothing! Weirdest thing ever. And they were really nice dyak needles I had gotten in a sock club package. So sad. Went on with a heavy heart.

And then boom- 9 months later in a park across the world, it came back! the magic of the Little Mermaid.

Now I have to remember where I put it after I found it...

Victory at last

2011-08-15T18:46:00.003-05:00

I've had a mighy good run at the county fair the past few years winning first in the knitting category. There was peacock in 2008, champion wrap in 2009 and the amazing and beautiful karaburan of last year- which won the knitting category at the county fair and the state fair. But the needlework department prize has always alluded me- losing to a quilt, hardanger and the worse sewing job ever. But this year, everything changed.

Fair Shawl

Pattern: Jaali by Kitman Figueroa
Source: Purchase from Ravelry
Yarn: Wollmeise lace garn in Zimptapfel
Source: The Loopy Ewe
Needles: #4 and 6 chia goo red needles. New discovery, love them!
Cast-on/off: 7/25-8/5/11 (yes, one week! It was a 3-day weekend)

Fun: After a couple rows, had the pattern pretty memorized so it was not as painful to do two sided lace as I thought. It felt like an old friend before we were done. "Ah, we're in the k2, yo k2tog part" or the "part with all the knits." In many ways I feel this is the most simple of all my fair shawls.,

I wasn't so sure about being able to win or how much I would like it, but I really really like how it looks on. And the colour is a knockout!

In other news, my Akasha gloves won the gloves/mittens category and my poor whale hat won second place in hats.

Campfires and embers

2011-08-13T14:09:00.006-05:00

Two more projects! Combining them into one post as there aren't many photos or much to say

Camp Braid Socks

Pattern: Braided Cable with Garter Braid by Charlene Schurch
Source: Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Wool Candy Meringue Merino Sock in Gothic
Source: The Loopy Ewe (it's still a marketing scheme after all!)
Needles: #1.... circulars! Yes, I did a pair of socks on two circulars and kind of like it. For these I use chia goo red circulars,which are a new favorite. Cast-on/off: 8/5-8/12/11 (nuts, a week I know!)

Fun: While the colour was beautiful, the pattern easy, the pattern didn't quite work. It doesn't look like in the picture in the book. Looking on rav there was some sort of a problem, but noone gave a solution. And ofcourse, I didn't even look till I was done

These were the second project for CampLoopy. They were finished last night, photographed this morning and already have a new home.

And looking less like a live fire than dying embers

Widdershins

Pattern: Widdershin by Brooke Chenoweth Creel
Source:Knitty, summer 2006
Yarn: Indigodragonfly MCN sock in Goth to a Flame
Yarn Source: Ordered right from Kim!
Needles:#1.5 Cast-on/off: 11/28/10-7/14/11. They layed fallow for awhile while all these monthly projects took over. But then as part on the Summer of Doom KAL hosted by Indigodragonfly, one category was to finish a WIP and I decided here's a good excuse. And they're finally done!
Fun: They are much better than the time to complete suggests. I would do them again.

Letter from Camp

2011-08-06T20:21:00.006-05:00

Every once in awhile at camp, at the end of lunch, the director would get up and announce he had gotten too many calls from parents that they had not gotten letters from their kids. (I blame the boys, as it happened when I went to Camp Woodstock, not to the girl scout camp) So out would come postcards for us all to sit in the dining hall till everyone has written home. Guess this is what this is.

The Loopy Ewe is having Camp Loopy this summer and I said no. My knitting schedule is out of control with deadlines. But then I saw this and I got sucked in. So I rearranged my knitting spreadsheet and ordered some yarn. Project #2 was a shawl in two colours.

Mackintosh Rose Shawl

Pattern: Catkin by Carina Spencer
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Madelinetosh Merino Light in Isadora and Lichen
Source: The Loopy Ewe (it's a marketing scheme after all!)
Needles: Can't remember! Whatever was in the pattern
Cast-on/off: 6/23-7/14/11 (had to be done by the 15th!)
Fun: I thought I was going to kill myself by the end of chart #2. The rest flew and was cool to see how it worked.

There's about 10 ways to wear this shawl-I love that!

Now what does this mean? Basically I saw the pattern and it reminded me of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh project. I chose colours that said Mackintosh to me. I had to switch how I wanted to do them as the green did not allow the pattern on #2 to show. Then I killed myself to find buttons that would give the appropriate art nouveau feel. Found these at Aylins

Welcome to summer

2011-07-15T22:28:00.006-05:00

And so we continue catching up. You saw the tease earlier, but here's an extra project I've thrown in- an F5 KAL

Summer Solstice Socks

Pattern: The Solstice Slip by JC Briar

Source: BMFA Club Pattern (gifted by someone else)
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in Quinault Canopy
Source: Direct- bought it for a blankey yarn swap but liked so much I kept it
Needles: #1
Cast-on/off: 5/18-6/21/11--- finished with about an hour left to the solstice!
Fun: Not fun, but I liked the pattern quite a bit. I also liked photographing them!
Mods: Went toe-up

They have ended up with Liz-she liked them and I know I have enough socks these days!

Now that the summer is here, time to embark on a crazy pile ofprojects. It's so crazy, I have a spread sheet to keeptrack of all these projects! And you can see I have a theme this summer, only more strongly reinforced by going to see the Alexander McQueen show at the Met the other day. None of these will become amazing McQueen red satin gowns, but they'll be all beautiful in their own way.

In June...

2011-07-14T22:32:00.004-05:00

I'm behind on posting projects. So here's the June socks for Year of Stash Socks. For once, I didn't go for the vanilla pattern! And finished the same month!

Lake Cotty Socks

Pattern: Cotty by Irishgirlieknits

Source: Ravelry download

Yarn: Wool Candy Biscotti Merino in Crater Lake
Yarn Notes: What a beautiful colour! And it was so quick to knit sportweight socks!

Source: Knitty City last December
Needles: #3 Knit Picks
Cast-on/off: 6/4-18/11
Fun: It was awesome for projects to go so fast!

Mods: None0- went too fast!

Solstice

2011-06-21T21:40:00.006-05:00

It's the longest day of the year- and what better way to celebrate than finishing my Solstice Slip socks. But I just finished them, so you'll see more and better photos in the sunlight.

In the meantime, something for sun salutations.

Storm Waves Bag

Pattern: Kriya Yoga Mat Bag by Jennifer Fleury
Source: Ravelry download

Yarn: Cascade 220-2433 Pacific and 8400 Grey
Source: The Loopy Ewe and the Elegant Ewe in Concord
Needles: #8 Addi Turbos
Cast-on/off: 4/24-5/16/11
Fun: Took forever, but the cable pattern was fun. The only slow and painful spot was the strap.
Mods: not on purpose, but I messed up the strap placement.
This was mom's mother's day present- I felt after taking such good care of me after my surgery, she deserved something extra special. She's been taking yoga teacher certification, so this seemed perfect. She says its not the most practical bag as the sticky mat makes it tough to slip it in. But she also says its so beautiful, who cares. I agree with that- it is really pretty!

Summertime!

2011-06-10T18:07:00.003-05:00

Welcome to summer! I spent a weekend at the beach knitting (oops, dpns loose in the sand!)

Not much to report, but I have lots of single socks!

Lots of blue!

Finnish lessons

2011-05-16T20:21:00.005-05:00

That's not a typo- I meant finnish language. Last month for Year of Stash Socks had dull patterns, so I did plain vanilla, again. But picked a beautiful colour which really is amazing. It's not a dull colour, so instead of saying "teal" they called the colourway "tavikki" Finnish for teal. So my socks are

Not Plain Teal Socks

Pattern: Vanilla toe-up sock with gusset heel by Wendy Johnson, added a 3x2 rib
Yarn: String Theory Caper Sock in Tavikki

Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: yummm....it feels great and glows! It's mcn!
Needles: #1
Cast-on/off: 3/23-5/8/11
Fun: they were vanilla and brainless. But moved fast.

I'm looking over a 4-leaf clover

2011-04-23T21:42:00.012-05:00

I have been knitting-I have a big pile of single socks! But at least one pair is done! And it's the first pattern from the Charlie Sock club- my favorite sock club! No yarn! Just presents and a suggested pattern.

Four Leaf Clover Socks

Pattern: Clover by Kate Blackburn

Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere, Irish Sprout (March club) Yarn Source: Simply Sock Yarn Company
Yarn note: Cashmere.... and a lovely colour, even if the one skein yielded two slightly coloured socks. Not as blue as it photographs. I normally don't like DIC, but when they released this colour, I had to jump on it.
Needles: #1-- no clue what brand, but I really liked! Cast-on/off: 3/6-4/23/11
Mods: None
Fun: Never learned the pattern- that isn't fun. But not a terrible difficult one.

Gloves are cool!

2011-03-21T21:46:00.009-05:00

Last summer I got addicted the Dr Who.... love it! I'll admit, I'm a light fan and only really watch the new series. I spent December watching the most recent series. And I was inspired by the Doctor's most recent companion, Amy Pond. She always wears something red and I love it. After I knit Kathy's gloves, I had twin inspirations. And so here it is.

Gloves for Amy to Wear Traveling With the Doctor

Pattern: Nunt's Cabled Wristwarmers by Nunt
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Handmaiden Casbah in Ruby Red
Yarn Source: Simply Sock Yarn Company
Yarn note: Cashmere....

Needles: US #3

Notes: Should have used smaller needles, the gauge was too loose. They're much less elegant than Kathy's were.
Cast-on/off: Jan 16- March 10, 2011 (there was a big break in the middle!)
Mods: Added fingers. Can't help it-I hate fingerless gloves. So took the stitch count from Ringwood gloves. I love the cable pattern on these so much.
Fun: This is still a fun pattern! Although boy am I tired of fingers!

Now, don't think the Who knitting will be over anytime soon. When I watch it, I work on my tardis socks! New season starts in a month!

And I have Tardis yarn- both Goth Socks and Indigodragonfly!

And today, my first package from the Nerd Girl yarn club arrived- it's awesome! Who doesn't love the Ood! And the packaging is brilliant- just like when the 10th Doctor came to see the Ood one last time! "Your song is ending"-makes one cry!

So, come along, Pond! Let's go...somewhere! (I know, I'm mixing up the doctors here!)

Slainte, birthday boy!

2011-03-16T21:53:00.004-05:00

Apparently, if your birthday is St Patrick's Day and you have green eyes, you are a leprechaun. Doesn't matter if you're Irish or not. So my dad is a leprechaun. Thus, his birthday socks!

Leprechaun Socks

Pattern: Vanilla toe-up sock with gusset heel by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Dye Dreams Luster Sox in Shades of Ireland

Yarn Source: Destash from Rebecca. She got it as part of the Loopy Ewe sock club in 2009.
Cast-on/off: February 4- March 12,2011. February Year of Stash Sock project.
Fun: None. Enough of this light fingering yarn projects. Between this and the charades, I feel like I've been knitting with thread too much lately! Time for some good fat MCN!

Happy birthday, Daddy!

One word, sounds like locks

2011-03-10T22:36:00.007-05:00

Grab a glass of wine and come on over. It's Aunt Sheila's birthday- and we know what she likes-- booze, games...and knit socks! So here are her socks.

Drunken Charades

Pattern: Charade by Sandra Park
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Zen String Loopy Legends in Theresa's Italian Vineyards
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: It seems Zen String no longer exists. I like their version of the Loopy Legends better than the new ones. But dang, this yarn was barely thicker than yarn! But the colour is pretty.
Needles: #1 Knit Picks Harmony
Cast-on/off: 1/30-2/27/11- just in time to be wrapped and sent for Aunt Sheila's birthday
Mods: Did gusset heal. On the back of the legs I added ribbing with the 2K stitches changes to 2P. They'll fit much better.
Fun: I've done this pattern before. And found it too much work- so quit after about three rows. It was easy and simple and could memorize without much work. But... not really worth all the work.
And this doesn't count for the Year of Stash Socks!

Now, have some wine.

Once More With Feeling!

2011-02-18T23:25:00.005-05:00

Buffy might not be quaking in her stylish yet affordable boots, but I bet she's jealous of these gloves!

Enough with Buffy- onto my favorite group of vampires- Anne Rice's (you thought I would stop with a pair of socks named for pre-Melanie Antonio Banderas character Armand?) Cause when you're knitting another pair of the Drusilla gloves in a colourway with a tiara, you have to pick Anne Rice's Queen of the Damned- the original vampire from Egypt, Akasha. Let's not mention the movie that featured her- some things should be forgotten.

Akasha

Pattern: Gothic Gloves for Drusilla and other Lady Vampires by Glenna C
Source: Indigodragonfly
Yarn: Indigodragonfly MCN Sock in Rachel H's Tiara Yarn Source: Direct from Kim
Needles: 1 1/2 Holz & Stein (still the most amazing!)
Cast-on/off: February 4-15-11, 2011 (there's a one week span in there for Jaya's gloves. Each glove took about 2 days)
Fun: How can knitting with such amazing yarn not be fun? It almost killed me to wait to do the second glove till after I was done with the other pair.

Oh, and these are mine. Don't even try. Others have and failed.

Now to decide what colour to knit these in next.

I've named all the stars the same thing and there's terrible confusion

2011-02-16T21:04:00.004-05:00

It's time to celebrate Drusilla, the wonderful crazy vampire! One reason I'm more Team Angel than Team Spike is I like Spike and Dru much more than Spike and Buffy. So when Kim announced she was doing a line of yarn and patterns inspired by various Buffy characters, of course I was there (ok, Oz and Willow patterns are mittens and I'm not so much there). Gloves! For Dru!!

I started one pair, but needed to finish Jaya's birthday/ swap gift. So I took time out to do a pair for her!

Jaya's Dru Gloves

Pattern: Gothic Gloves for Drusilla and other Lady Vampires by Glenna C
Source: Indigodragonfly
Yarn: Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Black Plum
Yarn source: Eat Sleep Knit
Needles: 1
Cast-on/off: February 6-11, 2011
Mods: The yarn was a lighter fingering than the yarn I was using for my other pair, so I did the large size with size one needles and they fit perfectly.
The pattern is written to be done index finger to pinky finger, but I have found to avoid some of the holes between fingers, it is best to do the pinky finger and then do several more rounds around the other fingers before moving onto the rest of the fingers. So did that.
Fun: Fast and beautiful! I don't like brown, but I loved these gloves and was sad to give them away.

Stay tuned for more-- I said I was going nuts on the glove front!

It's raining, not snowing

2011-02-02T17:20:00.007-05:00

It's been a dramatic few weeks- I had emergency gall bladder surgery a little over a week ago. Completely not planned! But lucky for me, I had metroed to the party I was going to that night, so I had knitting with me. Between getting pricked, tests and all the waiting one does in the ER, I got some knitting done. Which was good cause for a few days after the surgery I didn't feel like picking up needles or anything else! But been living in my pj's and getting some knitting done.

I joined the Year of Stash Socks group on Ravelry, which means a pair of socks a month. Yes, again. They chose two patterns a month or you can choose to do a vanilla sock. My time in bed last week helped me finish the first month's vanilla sock on time. Now to start February's pair!

Puddle Stomping Socks

Pattern: Vanilla toe-up sock with gusset heel by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Rainy Days & Wooly Dogs GothSocks - Asphodel in Puddle Stomping
Yarn Source: Yes, somehow I emerged from one of those monster sneak-ups on the site with a skein of yarn! I think I might have gotten two that day- miracles! Those things make the old Wollmeise sneak-ups look calm and leisurely.
Cast-on/off: Oct 8, 2010- January 28, 2011
Timing note: Yes, I started before Jan. But I was barely past the toe, I have this rule I could only work on these when it was raining. Which it never was.
Fun: These just made me happy. So as dull as vanilla socks can be, these were fun. Watching the stripes go makes a difference.

I do love how these work with my rain boots- which have a striped knit pattern on them!

Now to finish healing- I need to wind the February sock yarn!

Hands but not fingers!

2011-01-31T19:37:00.003-05:00

It's Loopy Swap time, which means knitting for strangers! I got an amazing black shawl I'll be living in. And for Kathy, a nurse in Tennessee:

Kathy's Mitts

Pattern: Nunt's Cabled Wristwarmers by Nunt
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Moss
Yarn Source: Eat Sleep Knit
Cast-on/off: December 19- January 9, 2011 (also put aside during the holidays, moved fast when I focused.)
Mods: None.
Fun: These moved fast and had enough detail to keep them challenging. I really really love how they ended up- the colour of the yarn with the pattern is just amazing!

I like them so much, I'm making a pair for me. With fingers!

Let's give it a hand

2011-01-19T22:10:00.004-05:00

OK, the hat part of the blog is done. Onto the hands! I'm in a glove mode at the moment.

Starting off with

Mourning Rings

Pattern: Ringwood Gloves by Rebecca Blair
Source: Knitty, Deep Fall 2010
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Morning Dove
Yarn Source: Eat Sleep Knit, my new favorite yarn shop
Button Source: M&J Trimming, NYC
Cast-on/off: December 19- January 16, 2011 (put aside during the holidays, moved fast when I focused.
Mods: None. If I made them again, I would use smaller needles on the cuffs as they are loose. And the cuff on the right hand is wrong, so would figure out how to change that one. Fun: these were quite fun. They moved along at a handy pace.

This is the most accurate colour:

Habit forming

2011-01-13T16:48:00.004-05:00

I made a hat in December for Texas Liz- she claims she can't knit hats. I don't believe her- what can be easier? But I made her a hat. And aside from it being pink, I really liked it. So I then made it for me.

Two Non-Nun Habits

Pattern: Habitat by Jared Flood
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in Punky Fuschia (pink) and Cascade 220 Heathers colourway #9491 (grey)
Yarn Source: Let's just say Loopy Ewe
Cast-on/off: Both in December- took 3-4 days each
Needles: #7 and 8 circularsMods: For the grey one I added a brim. I like brims.
Fun: It was quick and fun and never got boring. And results in a lovely hat.

But wait, there's more!

2011-01-03T19:38:00.004-05:00

Oh, the projects keep coming. And don't think I'm about to stop- I had a pile of hats on my table this December!

And since it is January, you know what time of the year it is. Time for a

Triple Ransom Hat

Pattern: Twisted Rib Watch Cap by Terri Lee Royea
Yarn: Tahki Donegal Tweed, Color #853
Yarn Source: Jimmy Beans Wool
Cast-on/off: 11/30-12/10/10
Needles: #7 circulars
Mods: None
Fun: Why does my family like this hat so much? This one was for Aunt Sheila- thus why it's purple. But several years later, daddy wears his and has asked for his Christmas scarf to match. And mom wears hers. Sheila wore hers around the very warm house, so I guess she likes it too.

Old knits to kick off the new year

2011-01-02T12:10:00.003-05:00

Happy new year! Time to catch up and post Christmas projects. Starting with mom's hat. You might remember several years ago I made her a hat for Christmas. I promised to make her a new one in the same colour yarn. Took a few years, but she finally got it.

Road to Brattleboro Hat

Pattern: Brattleboro by Melissa LaBarre
Pattern Source: New England Knits by Cecily MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Don't Be Blue
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Cast-on/off: 12/1-9/10
Needles: 8 (?)
Mods: Added four rows to the crown as reviews said it was too short. Then got nervous and removed some rows from the decrease. Shouldn't have- would have been perfect with the four extra rows.
Fun: It was super fast and the construction was interesting. And anything with buttons- went up to NYC to see the lights and got buttons at M&J Trimming. And yes, they're the same buttons as on my Olympic sweater.

And it matches my current favorite nail polish!

It's a good thing to keep

2010-12-11T18:19:00.004-05:00

Anyone who reads Snacks, please's blog knows she's pretty fanatic about keeping ones maiden name. Well, perhaps fanatic is putting it too mild (see her guest appearance elsewhere to argue the case). Once the girls are old enough to take care of themselves, I wouldn't be surprised if she started spending Saturdays crashing weddings to test the food and then scold the poor bride who has decided to lose her identity and take her husband's name blindly (for the record, I believe whichever name is better should be kept. Why should anyone want a boring or ugly name? But there are some cool names out there too) So when a pattern was released with her last name, how could I resist?

Don't Change This Name Socks

Pattern: Flannery by Spilly Jane
Pattern Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn: Koigu KPPM in colourway 844
Yarn Source: Gift from Jaya
Yarn Note: I picked it because it had all the colours she said she wanted- green, blue and purple. It proved to be a bit too busy for the pattern and maybe too dark too, but I still kept with it. But the celtic knot pattern is quite lovely so I would like to do again in a light solid colour. Three Irish Girls has just released a new colourway- Flannery

Cast-on/off: 4/6-11/28/10
Needles: 2.5mm Laurel Hill Palmwood Needles. I bought them in Cambria on the Californian trip. Beautiful needles. And if you looked at them wrong, they split. I threw them out the second the project was finished.
Mods: Switched them to toe-up and did a gusset heel.
Fun: Really not fun to start at all. I felt it was an overwhelming chart pattern. Kept delaying working on them, then I left the pattern at Mrs Flannery's. When I finally decided to get them done, mostly because someone on Ravelry was begging me for my leftover Koigu to help save her project- and I put my head into the pattern and understood it, it was actually very manageable and quite enjoyable. Could even memorize it.

In other news, I finished my Christmas knitting today. With two weeks to spare! You'll see why in a few weeks. Nothing overwhelming. Now to fight the "maybe I'll knit so and so for a little extra gift" urge.

'Tis the Season

2010-12-10T21:25:00.003-05:00

It's December, which means most knitting blogs have gone dark for secret Christmas knitting. Don't worry, I didn't! Mostly because the start of December is crazy birthday time for me, so I can show you birthday knitting!

Lori's birthday party came first, so here's hers. Unlike last year's mittens, I just made these not on request. Well, follow along.

Angel Socks

Pattern: Bloody Mary by Sandra Park
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino in Angel Fish
Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: The colour is spectacular- a really beautiful blue with rainbow colours. But soon after I started knitting I realized I would never really wear something so bright. So Lori fell on the sword and offered to take them from me. (so the socks weren't really her present, she got a really good one too)
Cast-on/off: 5/23/10-11/28/10- vacation knitting for the California trip
Needles: US #1
Mods: None. This was a good brainless commuting project.

Quicker than... me?

2010-11-26T20:35:00.004-05:00

Yesterday morning ran a turkey trot fast as the wind... well, maybe a really really slow wind. Like the doldrums at the equator. Only not that strong. But I finished, and that is what is important. Perhaps. There must be a reason why running in a circle on a cold fall morning is important. If you figure it out please let me know. Before I can be talked into a 10K.

In other things I don't do that fast, but do finish- here's a finished pair of socks. Plain old vanilla ribbed socks. And not sure what yarn it is either. But the socks are mighty pretty. They've been commuting knitting since spring. Clearly I'm vague on a bit of them, so I'll just show and not report.

Walking on

2010-11-06T16:19:00.006-05:00

Another week- and more new socks! With more cables! These were the best socks. Now you might look at the dates and say "she couldn't have loved them that much- took almost two months to knit!" But these went the South Dakota with me. Which means these stayed in that scary hotel with bed bugs with me. Which means these spent a month sealed in a plastic bag... just in case.

Sock #1 was finished last Friday. I started #2 on Saturday and although I didn't knit two days for other reasons, like a life, #2 was done by Thursday. Now that is fast. Especially for me.

In honor of my favorite vacation activity made from yarn from the same country, I present to you:

Highland Pathways

Pattern: Pembrokeshire Pathways by Brenda Dayne
Pattern Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Old Maiden Aunt Superwash Fourply in Bracken
Yarn Source: I'm pretty sure I ordered this directly from Lillith.

Yarn Notes: This is from her Homecoming Collection- to celebrate Scotland Homecoming 2009. She created a number of colours inspired by things Scottish. Bracken is a sort of fern ground covering that is all over Scotland. It really reminds me of walking in Scotland- like this photo from the Speyside way. Seemed right for this pattern.
Cast-on/off: 9/6-11/3/10
Needles: #1- perhaps? I didn't record it. Shoot!
Mods: None, really. It was a complex enough pattern to keep me occupied but also memorize of lace and cables.
Fun: This pattern flew! And they are really nice to wear. The pattern and yarn really work well together here.

Booo!

2010-10-31T21:33:00.004-05:00

It's Halloween and I unveil some scary socks!

New Orleans Vampire Socks

Pattern: Whitby by Nancy Bush
Pattern Source: Nancy's book Knitting on the Road
Pattern Notes: Get it? Whitby is where Dracula came to England....
I started off these socks last year in New Orleans with a different pattern, designed in honor of the Sookie Stackhouse vampire Eric (it's a guilty pleasure. In so many ways!). But the socks were alot of work and focus and I wasn't sure about how they would end up looking. So after almost a year of them sitting around, I frogged and switched to this pattern.
Yarn: Yarn Love Scarlett O'Hara in Red Delicious
Yarn Source: Got it at her booth at Stitches East. In 2008.

Yarn Notes: Yup, still love this yarn! Used it for my cherry chocolate socks all those years ago
Cast-on/off: 8/15-10/23/10 (only counting since I switched patterns)
Needles: #3- Knitpicks?
Mods: I cast on less stitches that called for and the adjustments, well I goofed up. And then I didn't really follow directions and ended up with too much ribbing on the top. And it's odd.
Fun: They moved and although it was a pretty lengthy repeat, it was memorizable. I'm kind of tired of cables at the moment (you'll see more cables soon. You're gonna see so many cables soon you're gonna be looking to see if I'm including HBO)

Shawl of Vindication

2010-10-10T18:56:00.009-05:00

I've been promising photos for awhile. And then I did not win the county fair- Karaburan won the category, but not even the knitting section! My February Lady sweater won for fair theme- Wonder of Arlington- whatever that means. But I was annoyed, so I decided to submit it for the Virginia State fair. Where it did better. Won the whole thing! So now a big purple ribbon, $25 in winnings and many bragging rights later, I give you the best piece of knitting in Virginia!

Karaburan Shawl

Pattern: Aeolian Shawl by Elizabeth Freeman
Pattern Source: Knitty Spring 2009

Pattern Note: Yup, same designer as last year's laminaria.
Yarn: Wollmeise Lacegarn in Schwarz
Source: Visiting gift from Leslie when I was in California. Yarn notes: What was I thinking? Black lace???
Cast-on/off: 6/15-8/13/10
Needles: #3 addis of some sort Mods: None. The whole thing was challenging enough!
Fun: A race to knit a black lace shawl in just over a month? No, not really. But I got lots of tv series watched and became a total Dr Who and Torchwood fan. Plus the end result was so wonderful, who cares?

The project photos were taken at Rock Creek Cemetery. For some reason I was obsessed with the idea of this shawl in a cemetery setting. I was reading the new Audrey Niffenberger book Her Fearful Symmetry when I started this shawl, maybe that is it? Well, I like the photos. But here is one of the shawl blocking in all its glory to show the details

They're ready for their close-up

2010-10-09T20:14:00.004-05:00

Oh, I know, wrong actress. But the plain vanilla socks I started in Hollywood are done. They're comfy but not quite my colour- so maybe mom wants them.

Hollywood Kate Socks

Pattern: Plain vanilla toe-up socks, the standard Wendy pattern
Yarn: Lime & Violet Sasquatch Superwash in Katherine Hepburn
Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: L&V no longer exists. It's kind of sad- but I have lots of the yarn left!
Cast-on/off: 5/23-10/4/10

Needles: Lantern Moon #1 Rosewoods. Broke one so had to find a yarn shop in LA to replace, but got the same thing.Mods: None- they were a good don't pay attention metro knit.
Fun: Not fun. But they were good to a CA trip. And will be nice to wear.

Hopping along

2010-09-29T22:10:00.005-05:00

I just got back from a trip to South Dakota-Wyoming. Even got to spend the weekend exploring Yellowstone and environs with Raveler Sandy. What fun!

And I've gotten four socks done in the week since I came home. All single socks. Now have to do their partners! Two are plain vanilla, the third the bloody mary pattern which is a notch past brainless and then my New Orleans Vampire socks in the Whitby patterns (the red sock). Need to finish them by Halloween!

Oh, you want Yellowstone pictures? Enjoy some falls

My luve is like a blue, blue rose

2010-09-07T19:22:00.006-05:00

Apologies to the Bard- I might have been bastardizing his poem, but it serves for the greater good! Cause here I present a project from a Scottish designer knit in a Scottish yarn. Hadn't planned the Robbie Burns link as well, but now I like it.

Clearly I am in a hat mood. In the mood for colder weather!

Blue Rose

Pattern: Red Rose by Ysolda Teague
Source: Download from her website
Yarn: Orkney Angora St Magnus D.K. in Jade
Yarn Source: K1 Yarns in Glasgow (from Speyside Way trip)
Needles: #6 Addi turbos and #4 for ribbing
Cast-on/off: 9/3-5/10
Mods: On row 64 I switched to 2x2 ribbing to make the brim fit smugly. Also went down to size 4 needles (ok, after finishing and trying it on and it was too loose)
Fun: Another quick project. And the yarn is DIVINE! I understand the angora thing now.

The pattern was frustrating in the beginning as the hat is lacier than it looks in photos. I have a love-hate relationship with Ysolda- her stuff either comes out brilliant or a complete mess. Just last week I started her scroll lace shawl, to disaster (I've ordered more yarn in a contrasting colour to do something else with it. Old Maiden Aunt is not to waste!). So it is always scary starting one of her projects. But this one ended up brilliantly, and I want to make it in purple. Need to get the Madtosh DK back from Lori.

But there is still more knitting to do! I've even cast on another Scottish project- socks in Old Maiden Aunt Bracken, from the Homecoming Collection.

But before I do, enjoy the song that inspired the title.

Ahoy matey! Thar she blows!

2010-08-30T20:58:00.006-05:00

Like many New England girls who came of age in the preppy early 80s, I loved whales! I had headbands, barrettes, izods with whales instead of lizards and even a nantucket bag cover with whales on it. For a brief time in 5th grade I needlepointed. This short foray into needlework resulted in one piece. With a whale on it. It never did get made into a pillow.

And then I grew up, discovered punk and black. But there is still a place in my heart for whales. I loved the Nathaniel Philbrick book on the Whaleship Essex- and have been reading Leviathan on and off for over a year, except for the break to read about cod instead. My favorite Christmas present this year was a fair isle sweater- with whales! And I do tend to have a propensity for picking up things with whales. Here's the whale stuff that was on my bedroom floor just this morning- bag, pj's, flip flops and a brilliant t-short from the New Bedford Whaling Museum (I still have a whale shoelace I bought there in 1981. It's in my toolkit on a pair of old scissors).
So of course, the second the previews of the new Interweave Press book New England Knits came out, I was all over it. I'm a good Connecticut girl, so I love the whole idea of many things in the book. But the clincher--- a hat with whales on it!!

It's a Whale of a Hat

Pattern: Whale Watch Hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Source: New England Knits by Cecily MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre
Yarn: The Loopy Ewe Solid Series Line in Navy, Colonial Blue, Ivory & Celery. Used about 1/2 skein of each.
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe, of course
Needles: #o and #2
Cast-on/off: 8/26-30/10
Mods: None
Fun: It moved quite quickly. And was so fun to see coming out.

Now of course, I can't wear it for months! Back to my whale t-shirt and flip flops for now.

Something quick and different

2010-08-21T19:20:00.004-05:00

This poor Schaeffer Yarn company yarn had had a hard life. Wanted it to be gloves- bad pooling. Then socks- too thick. Then this week I had a twelve-hour drive ahead of me, just sitting there. So I grabbed the yarn again and grabbed the pattern from the spring Loopy sock kit. And it all came together. I might even wear the thing! Since it started on Cape Cod and the colours are cranberry and pine, it just reminded me of that part of the Cape. There was a sign for a place called Cranberry Cove- the scarf!

Cranberry Cove

Pattern: A Little Jazz by Samantha Roshak
Source: Looopy Ewe spring sock club
Yarn: Schaefer Yarn Company Nicole in Jane Addams

Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Needles: #6 Addi circulars
Cast-on/off: 8/15-21/10
Mods: None
Fun: It was a good brainless knit. And nice and quick. And I like the results.

And a pretty Cape Cod picture from a cloudy day on the beach

And it's a wrap with this wrap!

2010-08-14T22:12:00.006-05:00

It's Saturday and fair drop-off is Thursday. It's been a long 6 weeks. But multiple seasons of Burn Notice, the new Dr Who and Torchwood and who know what else has gotten me through it. But last night as the Ninth Doctor died (how can such a good doctor go on such a bad episode?)- I finished the shawl! Blocked it this morning!

Here it is unblocked

And blocked. No, not showing that yet. But if I ever do this shawl again, the sheet I blocked it on now has the pattern. Courtesy of my blood. Lots of pin pricks on the fingers. Ouch! I have bled for this. It better do well.

Now the big question is not will I win at the fair. But should I buy the last season of Dr Who on amazon or wait for it to come out on video. And what should I knit as I watch?

Ten Days

2010-08-06T19:18:00.004-05:00

And I have four rows left. Of course a row takes about two hours. It still looks like a black puddle. The stitch markers sparkle.

22 Days

2010-07-25T12:58:00.002-05:00

I'm on the border. Of course, the border is the bulk of this project. I currently have 600 stitches per row. One episode of Dr Who for every two rows. Not good speed. I have 39 rows to go. It is not the nothing it sounds like.

Let me tell you about winds

2010-07-12T19:49:00.003-05:00

My favorite scene in probably any movie is when Ralph Fiennes as Count Almasy tells the story of the winds. Not the scene as much as his voice reading the lines. It makes winds the most romantic thing ever.

I have begun a shawl named after the wind. The pattern is aeolian, but because it is black, I am calling Karaburan, after the black storm wind of Asia. It is a hot, dusty wind, which develops because of the warming of winds blowing down the lee side of a mountain. Sounds romantic, but then all wind does.

We shall see how this goes. Perhaps it will become one of those winds which drive people to insanity.

31 Days of Madness

2010-07-12T19:35:00.005-05:00

Thirty-one days from now is County Fair drop-off day. Will I make it?

When I was in LA I got to visit Leslie and the infamous stash storage locker. I love getting to travel the country and see my knitting friends in real life! In LA I got to see Leslie AND Dani and Marla (Marla's not in the photo, but let me tell you, that woman has the best restaurant recommendations ever!)

And as a parting gift she gave me Wollmeise lace-garn in black. Yup, a HUGE amount of black lace weight yarn. HUGE I mean. Look how tiny gnome is with it.

Took it home to sit in the stash. Until I came up with the idea that a black lace shawl would be spectacular. Specifically the aeolian shawl from last year's summer Knitty. The sequel shawl to last summer's laminaria that I won with. So this year I am knitting Karaburan- we've already discussed its name.

Jaya wound it for me and I started a couple weeks ago. Was brought to tears by nupps. Then had to frog the nupps and the rest of the transition chart and add more repeats of the yucca chart.

Then it still didn't work, so I frogged the transition chart AGAIN. Until someone on the Aeolian group on Ravelry mentioned that the reason why the decreases in the Agave chart looked different was they were in bold. Which means decrease three, rather than the decrease two that unbold means. Ugh! Not very much of a difference, especially when not knitting in good light or paying enough attention or a bad printer.

So am back on track, but not making great time and am worried I won't make it. We shall see. This is pure madness. I might just end up in the insane asylum.

And the shawl as an adult

2010-07-06T21:06:00.004-05:00

And here is the rest of the story.

Spicy Hot Shawl

Pattern: Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston
Source: Ravelry download
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Tiziano Red Yarn Source: Simply Sock Yarn Company
Needles: #6 Addi Naturas
Cast-on/off: 5/23-6/14/10

Mods: None on purpose. But this pattern drove me nuts with unclearness so there was some improv.

I wasn't too happy with the final size, although I didn't block it that hard. I don't really like one skein shawls. Pretty pattern- I would double it in size next time.

Here's hoping it has a nice life in Kansas.

The story of the shawl as a young project

2010-07-02T13:29:00.007-05:00

It's Loopy swap time again. My package went to Jessica in Kansas. Jessica is originally from California so I took the project with me and took photos of it in progress so the shawl arrived with a story of its creation trip. So this project post will be in two parts- one process, one final.

The shawl had a really nice trip. There were some hairy moments- such as becoming a bit unraveled at the outlook for the Hollywood sign (and then I deleted the photo by mistake!) But much of the trip was wonderful.

There was a trip to the Getty Villa. Also the day we both learned that fog was common in all of California, not just San Francisco.

And some time on the beach in Malibu. Next time, surfing.

And LA traffic can not be avoided. Booo!!!

But finally left LA behind and got to see Big Sur

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T13:18:00.004-05:00

The Saturday before Daddy's birthday in March we had this chat:

Me: I have no clue what to get you for your birthday.

Daddy: Oh, I don't need anything.

Me: Don't be silly, it is your birthday!

Daddy: Another pair of socks would be very nice [he had gotten his first pair for Christmas]

Me: Well, your birthday is Wednesday. There is no way I can knit a pair of socks by then.

Daddy: I'll be on vacation. That gives you another week.

Non-knitters!

But Daddy got his socks. We neogatiated and he got them halfway through birthday and Father's Day as a joint present. I hurried so I could send them home with mom when she visited in May. The only problem was I forgot about the grafting on the toes before mom was about to leave at dawn for her flight home. So I hurried and finished them almost asleep. But I did not get alot of photos.

So it is Father's Day and although Daddy is off in Peru vacationing, hopefully he is wearing his socks that hold some extra love today!

Socks for the Son of a Mason

Pattern: Masonic Lodge by Emma Haigh (Daddy is not a mason. But his dad was. I liked the pattern!)
Source: Ravelry download

Yarn: Zitron Trekking XXL , color 71
Yarn Source: Knit Happens

Yarn Notes: This was probably the third or fourth skein of sock yarn I bought when I started. All with the idea to make socks for daddy in!
Needles: #1
Cast-on/off: 4/5-5/15/10
Mods: Just added some love. But I guess most handknit things have that
Fun: They're pretty basic and plain, since they are man socks. But I enjoyed them, especially once I understood the pattern and could do without thinking. And I think the cable up the side adds a dash of style.

And daddy loves them, so that is the important part!

Shawl takes a vacation

2010-06-11T18:32:00.004-05:00

You might remember a long time ago I did a blog about how I was only knitting blues. Well, I am done. This blog post will have alot of photos and big ones. Well, because they are beautiful. The shawl had a fun vacation in California (as did I). It posed for photos at the Getty Center during sundown and along the coast at Big Sur.

Pirates of the Pacific Shawl

Pattern: Brandywine by Rosemary Hill
Source: Ravelry purchase

Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Sock in Ocean
Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: I knew I wanted to do this pattern at some point and I wanted to do a shawl for my California trip. But I bought a skein of the Ocean from my TLE wishlist to get to free shipping on an order. And then it arrived and screamed "Pacific Ocean... you want to wear me with that maxi-dress in the Garnet Hill catalogue to dinner by the ocean with George Clooney." Well, I didn't get the maxi-dress or George Clooney, but I hurried up and bought a second skein for this shawl. It only calls for one, but I wanted it bigger.

Needles: #6 Addi Turbos circulars
Cast-on/off: 4/805/19-10
Mods: I did five extra repeats. Wish I had done 10-15 extra. Could have been bigger
Fun: Not really. Kind of a boring pattern. It is the yarn that makes it so beautiful. The pattern is pretty, but plain. I would do it again. I love wearing it- wore it all over the place on my trip. I think the simpler shawls are more wearable as it's not that delicate.

The name is from Brandywine pattern. I love the Brandywine illustrators- Pyle and Wyeth. Since the yarn colour was Ocean and they did wonderful pirate illustrations--the name!

Weekend of sheep and fun

2010-05-08T10:34:00.006-05:00

Last weekend was Maryland Sheep & Wool Weekend. Which meant out of town visitors in the form of rabid knitters to see yarn and sheep. And heat. But boy did we have fun!

Look at all the yarn!

And the gnome got to ride a tractor.
And lots of sheep and fiber beasts!

Even this one- I guess that is where camouflage comes from.

I was only kidding- here's the yarn I go for me. And it's a combo of festival yarn and hostess gifts

There's a Miss Babs's in Crazy A and another in Frog Princess (a gift for someone else), Madelinetosh in Malachite, Wollmeise Sabrina, Socks that Rock Bobbie I, Dragonfly Djinni Sock in Villianess and Koigu mill ends. And lots of other yarn as a gift.

Colour stories

2010-04-25T20:46:00.004-05:00

Was over at Mary Ellen's this weekend and Josephine broke my heart saying green is no longer her favorite colour. What can she be thinking! It's a great colour! I've even discovered green nail polish which I love love love! And it matches my current commuter knitter project- Mary Ellen's mom sent over a bunch of yarn and one skein grabbed me so I cast on with it immediately.

Josephine's new favorite colour is blue- which seems to be mine in the knitting world these days. Both my main projects are- a pair of belated birthday socks for daddy and a shawl for me to take to California. They both make me happy to work on, but kind if dull to look at.

And then there's my singleminded shopping. I bought three skeins of yarn recently- one on a wollmeise destash, some Sanguine Gryphon from the Loopy Ewe (which I liked so much I bought it again- by mistake) and then some Indigodragonfly in the most beautiful colour- Vancouver Melt. Clearly I'm going to a pale blue-green phase next.

In my Easter.... socks?

2010-04-04T15:39:00.004-05:00

When I was younger, my Easter dress was always a big deal. Mom and I would spend countless weekend hours buying the perfect dress and then the perfect accessories. Marked a lot of fashion milestones with those outfits- first pair of shoes bought in the women's department, first pair of nylons, first dress from the juniors department, first pair of heels. Hmmm, explains a lot about why as an adult I'll spend weeks looking for a pair of earrings to complete an outfit.

But then I got older and would spend Easter Sunday in my acolyte robes, so it was more comfy not to have a dress. Then I got even older and stopped celebrating Easter. So no more pretty spring dresses for me. But I have pretty purple socks!

Armand Socks

Pattern: Anastasia
Source: Ravelry download but also on Mintyfresh's webpage
Yarn: Wullenstudio Superwash Sock Yarn in Wolly Bully
Source: The Maryland Homespun Yarn Festival last year

Yarn notes: Purple and black- what is not to love?
Needles: #1 Knitpicks Harmony
Cast-on/off: 10/18/09-4/3/10 (so they kept getting out aside)
Mods: Just used the idea, adjusted the rest. Did a toe-up gusset.
Fun: This yarn was meant to be these socks.

They are also the October sock club...from last year!

Welcome to spring!

2010-03-19T20:24:00.005-05:00

Spring is most definitely here- and so I finally finished my snowmageddon project! These amazing gloves work great with the coat I knit them for and they look great. And now they go into storage until next winter.

Big Snow Gloves

Pattern: Bobbie by Julia Mueller
Source: Sent as part of a KAL, but available on her page
Yarn: Wollmeise 100% wool in Guide to Galaxy and the contrast is Sabrina
Source: Both were from Joanna, another F5er who has a talent for finding Wollmeise. The Guide to Galaxy was from the The Loopy Ewe sock club. Had to have it just for the name- and then I realized it matched my favorite coat which needed gloves, so perfect! (see the combo! The coat is cranberry if you want to adjust your screen))
Yarn notes: It's wollmeise- beautiful but also splitty
Needles: #1, several different kinds
Cast-on/off: February 6-Match 16, 2010 (there was an Olympic break in there)
Mods: Good little girl, I followed the pattern
Fun: Actually not really. Was ready to shoot myself if I had to do one more row of linen stitch.

On the medal stand in my sweater

2010-03-15T19:45:00.006-05:00

So standing on the medal stand to get my medal, wearing my sweater. Which I love love love. It's comfy and looks good.

February Olympics Sweater

Pattern: February Lady by Pamela Wynne
Source: Ravely download

Yarn: Cascade 220 in 8904 Prune (I call it Dried Plums as it is more attractive)
Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: I'm impressed. I've always used Cascade as my goto yarn for colorwork and hats, but it is actually really soft and nice for a sweater.
Needles: #8, all kinds
Cast-on/off: February 12-28. The fortnight of the Olympics. Cast off a couple hours before the closing ceremonies.

Mods: None. Followed away!

Fun: Actually, it was enjoyable. At times seemed alot...but I did it! And I love it!

The torch is out- but the spirit will continue

2010-02-28T20:56:00.002-05:00

Well, watching the closing ceremony. What a fun couple of weeks- I really do like the winter Olympics better. Must be the whole edge of death thing. Awesomeness!

And I think I watched every minute. And as a result, about an hour before the closing ceremony began, I cast off my sweater! I did it! It's kind of short, but we'll see when it blocks. Everyone says it grows.... and I also need buttons. Will get them in NYC next weekend. So final modeling photos are still to come.

And now I'm going to rest.

Light the torch!

2010-02-13T21:02:00.004-05:00

And the Olympics have begun! The biennial fortnight when you test your knitting skills to the max (although let's admit it- winter is so much cooler!). During the Turin Olympics I did my first colourwork project. Then during the last summer Olympics I did two projects- my first gloves and a stuffed animal.

So now we come to Vancouver 2010. What will keep me company while I watch as much coverage as digital antennae tv will allow (quite a bit!). I'm going to knit a sweater. In two weeks.

And as an appropriate selection, I am going to knit the February Lady sweater. I even have a couple of maple leaf stitch markers!

The second glove is almost done, but has been set aside. So off I go. Citius, Altius, Fortius!

Still snowed in!

2010-02-10T23:10:00.006-05:00

Friday it will be a week, all snowed in. Yikes! What is shocking is how little knitting I am doing. When you have endless time it is easy to waste it.

But have done one glove- would love to have the second done before the Olympics start, but doubt it. I am also getting tired of linen stitch.

Snowed in

2010-02-06T23:23:00.007-05:00

Yup, we have a lot of snow. Two feet. Not going anywhere anytime soon. So have settled in watching the From the Earth to the Moon miniseries. And starting stuff.

I needed some plain projects. The purple is the second Armand sock- finished #1 yesterday. The pink is what I wanted to do my Bobbie gloves in and it just didn't work- when I found gauge, it pooled bad- so they'll be pretty socks. The green under the purple is what I am doing Bobbies in- Wollmeise Guide to the Galaxy. And on the metal needles is some Koigu for vanilla socks.

I do have a finished object!

Bon Temps Socks

Pattern: Belle Epoque by Melissa Morgan-Oakes

Source: Melissa's book 2-at-a-Time Socks

Yarn: IndigoDragonfly MCN Sock in One Turtle Short of a Pond

Source: Ordered directly from Miss Kim on what might have been her first sneak-up.
Yarn notes: So pretty and soft! I had it sitting, waiting to be stashed and in the middle of the night woke up and said "it wants to be Belle Epoque!" And so it is. Bumped it up to September Sock Club. Perfect choice!

Needles: #1.5 Holz & Stein needles dpn. If you ever see these, buy them! You can gift them to me or I'll buy them. And if you're going to Zurich, I can tell you a shop that carries them.

Cast-on/off: 9/9/9-1/29/10 (got put aside for travel and Christmas)

Mods: None. It was a pretty complicated pattern so I followed it.
Fun: The yarn felt so good to work with! And it was a nice pattern, but not woo-hooo fun. I did as cuff-down singles, still too scared of two at a time.

The snow in the sock photos is from last weekend's snow storm. Life!
And the name is from the Sookie Stackhouse books- I was reading them when I started the socks and the name of the town seems a good name!

Just updating

2010-01-27T19:00:00.002-05:00

Let's not mention progess- I have begun the glove curse. Too big, pooling, too small--- grrr.

But at least the Blanket of Madness is moving along. Although I am no longer meeting my weekly goal of ten square. Maybe it's a good idea to work on that tonight instead of the gloves.

Ice castles

2010-01-16T11:25:00.003-05:00

Another finished object! I feel like all I have done lately is blankey squares, but that isn't true- look at this! It is such a beautiful combo of yarn and pattern and reminds me of an ice castle. Thus I have christened it Spitsbergen which according to wikipedia is the Ice Queen's castle. It seems like a beautiful cathedral of ice, but castle is close enough.

Spitsbergen

Pattern: Claudia by MJ Kim

Source: Ravelry download

Yarn: Rainy Days & Wooly Dogs Worsted Gothlings in Black Ice
Source: Etsy store.

Yarn notes: Yikes, those sneak-ups make wollmeise look available! I left my work holidcay party (it was in the board room, so not that dramatic!) to catch it and having imbided in quite a bit of champagne and not knowing the ins and outs of Etsy, the sock yarn I wanted went poof! But I managed to get this, quite a bit actually since well, I was kind of drunk and unable to do math. And so happy I did! This is an amazing colour- kind of silver/grey/blue with a hint of green. Love it!

Cast-on/off: January 7-11, 2010
Needles: #4 and #6. I desperately need new #6 dpn. Ancient metal needles work, but are very slippery.

Mods: None I can remember.
Fun: Boy, did the ribbing get boring! But so pretty and a quick knit, who cares.

Let's look back to 2009

2010-01-04T18:48:00.008-05:00

Got so distracted with other things, there is one more Christmas project to show off! It is also the December sock club knit.

Daddy socks

Pattern: Roger by Anne Hanson (I actually paid for it! But it was a fundraiser for something)

Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery Spinnery Sock Art-Meadow in Deep Green Yarn. None of these photos show it, but there is some purple and blue in the socks, but they are still masculine.
Source: From their booth at Maryland Sheep and Wool
Yarn notes: Kind of scratchy, but the reviews say it gets really soft and holds up good

Cast-on/off: 11/8-12/20/09

Needles KnitPicks #2

Mods: None- it was a toughie to figure out the pattern but once I got it in my brain could knit away without a pattern

Fun: Once I understood the pattern it was easy but just enough challenge to hold attention.

These are the first socks I made Daddy, but he appears to have liked them. Kept wearing them- hope they didn't get smelly!!

And for blankey update, so addicting! Five down, 384 to go.

And a scrappy happy new year!

2010-01-02T00:46:00.006-05:00

It's 2010, which is good as I have been writing that as the year for months. I've spent the first day vegging and relaxing after the madness of the past few weeks. And organizing my scrap projects.

The first is a scarf I started last night. Cast on about 400 stitches- yikes! I'm not actually using scraps. In October of 2008 I bought some yarn that reminded me of the Scottish Highlands and have been looking for a pattern ever since. Found the Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf by Zona on Ravelry and it's so cool. Not sure if mine will be as cool, but I'm going for it! In addition to those three colours of the Highlands, I am adding some blue for the sky and cream to add and also experimenting with adding some Socks that Rocks in Scottish Highlands. We'll see how it works. The pattern is not a natural to do, but it is only a 2-stitch repeat. And I estimate only 70 rows.

The other scrap project is much much better. Like all knitters, I have been awed by Shelly Kang's blankie made of sock yarn scraps. And wanting one. So I have been collecting leftover yarn when I finish projects using fingering weight. But the vessels have overflowed recently. And some others have given me some of their scraps.

So today was the day to start. Cuddle in, watch movies and tackle this project. Took me several hours to focus- I got a whole lot done around the house. For my

first square, I picked the Pagewood Farms I used for my mineral socks. Then I had to learn to make a mitered square- I know, I should have known. That took a few hours as it is so simple, no one can actually explain it so I had much experimenting and frogging. But I did it.

I have since done a second one, a little faster (in the yarn from the July socks). And so the Blanket of Madness begins. And I have also done some stats- in order to make blankie 4x6, the size of my throw which is kind of too small anyways…. will have to make 384 squares. Or a little more than one a day. Or 566 total hours knitting at my current speed of 1.5 hours to square. Hope they let me bring the needles into my padded cell.

A stripey Christmas!

2009-12-29T23:03:00.007-05:00

Christmas is over, so the parade begins! Starting at the end. With the June sock club socks.

Oh My Gosh Socks!

Pattern: Plain vanilla toe-up socks, the standard Wendy pattern (plain, but it works)

Yarn: Rainy Days & Wooly Dogs OhMyGoth! in Summer of Goth
Yarn Source: Bought it from Dalaimama
Yarn notes: I wanted some of this yarn so bad for so long! Got some from Liz and it was the exact type of colours Aunt Sheila wanted. I still want to get some for me! Those sneaks make Wollmeise sneaks look leisurely!
Cast-on/off: 11/7-12/22/09 (was doing the cast-off as mom put on her coat to go pick Aunt

Sheila up- so close!)

Needles: Lantern Moon #1 Rosewoods. A surprise gift from Gina- so lovely!

Mods: None- they were a good don't pay attention metro knit.

Fun: It's old hat by now. But this yarn did feel great and was nice to look at.

And most importantly- Aunt Sheila loved them! I did some weird twist on one of the feet, but she didn't complain even though I offered to redo the heel and leg.

They're really thick, so should last a long time!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-21T23:47:00.002-05:00

We had lots of snow this weekend. I would like to say I stayed home and finished my Christmas knitting, but I didn't. I actually went into the second job- we were open and busy! Some people will shop through anything!

So I finished one Christmas project and need to finish the next one by tomorrow! So off I go to knit!

It was fun to pack for going home and pack stuff for ME! And since nothing will be revealed till then--- Merry Christmas!

More purple!

2009-12-13T20:35:00.003-05:00

Dawn in Canada got her swap package, so here's another project!

Pattern: Ishbel Beret by Ysolda Teague

Source: Whimsical Little KnitsYarn: Handmaiden Casbah in Amethyst
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: Casbah... ahhhhhh
Cast-on/off: 11/16-29/09

Needles: Various #6Mods: None- I couldn't get the darn thing right! I restarted them about 5 times. I finally improvised to make the psso's to line up no matter what. Took some tinking- but looks okay

Fun: Not much- it was frustrating. But I like the end result and I have some more casbah so I can make on for me. Am I mad?

And proof that the purple thing is continuing, I am so in love with my Armand socks. Haven't worked on them forever because of Christmas knitting, but can't wait to get back to them, they're so pretty and fun!

Big birthdays`

2009-12-10T20:52:00.004-05:00

Lori celebrated a BIG one on Monday and since it was so big- she got exactly what she asked for-- purple mittens!

Purple snapdragons

Pattern: Snapdragon Fliptops by Ysolda Teague

Source: Whimsical Little Knits 2
Yarn: Madelinetosh Worsted in Iris
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: Beautiful! And I have an extra skein for ME!
Cast-on/off: 11/29-12/5/09

Needles: Old metal #6 dpns
Mods: Many. They're supposed to be fliptops, but I didn't have time to mess with that so I just did them as straight mittens. So they're a bit odd as the mitten part was improvised and a bit wonky

Fun: Not fun, but the pattern emerged so suddenly, it was cool. I was just happy they were done in time for her birthday dinner!

Snow day!

2009-12-05T14:48:00.003-05:00

I'm still gift knitting. One thing was mailed off Wednesday and another will be gifted Monday, so there will be reveals soon. At the moment I am feeling good about Christmas knitting, but that might be false confidence.

And it is snowing today! Sure it's not a work day. And I did have good morning plans- it was the Scottish Christmas Walk! But I'm having a good day decorating the house, baking, cleaning and

hopefully soon sitting down to finish a birthday project. There is nothing more relaxing than a snow day, except a weekday snow day.

Jingle bells in the distance....

2009-11-08T22:18:00.004-05:00

It happened last night. I saw my first Christmas commercial. Argh!! Not to make me feel stressed or anything.

Which means alot of knitting is going into top secret mode. Here's a final glance-the recipient never comes here. But otherwise, shhhhh. There will be many updates at the end of December!

Although some knitting will be public. I finally got hit with jetlag last night and from 1-6 am, no sleep. So there I was at 3 am, going through wollmeise trying to figure out which one will match my red coat the best. Chose the colour and will print out the Bobby gloves pattern tomorrow. I'm about a month behind on that KAL. So there will be some knitting reports. Including the growing vampire sock collection- October sock club is my Armand socks. Pretty! Although I'm ripping out a few inches to add a pattern.

And all photos are by my new camera- an Elph 780. So cute and takes good photos!

I'm back!

2009-11-04T20:06:00.003-05:00

After over two weeks away, I'm home. With not much knitting done.

Had a fun week in New Orleans. Started a sock (see previous post)

And then ten days in Adelaide, Australia. Needles not allowed on Australian planes, so really, not much knitting still. I was working and each night would get home from dinner and pretty much go directly to bed. Spent one evening in the hotel and knit, only to have it be too small and frogging.

So basically I've been making like the koala and lazing. That'll change now that I am home.

Overdoing the theme?

2009-10-17T22:53:00.004-05:00

So I'm out of town and for the first part of my trip, I am working on a pair of socks that match the trip. Started them on the flight here.

I'm calling them New Orleans Vampire socks- cause I'm here. The pattern is Eric- named after the Viking Vampire in the Sookie Stackhouse series (yes, I do also have a pair of socks named Bon Temps). I picked the Yarn Love becuase it's red, like blood. I'm even using my stitch marker from the Historian kit, since it's also vampiric. Me go theme! Well, if it tempts a vampire- I'll take David*, Eric, Angel, Spike, Lestate, Armand....

Although I'm guessing less knitting will be done this week. Laissez les bon temps roulez!

*You know, from the Lost Boys. Best vampire ever! And don't any of you put anything about those lame sparkling vampires. Kids today, you are clueless on quality evil.

Placeholder

2009-10-14T22:10:00.003-05:00

Boo yah! That is three pairs of socks done in a week!

However, it is late. And the rest of the week is supposed to be ugly and overcast (although the weather man just singled out New Orleans as hot and miserable. Awesome). So I have no clue when I will take good photos of these socks. And they are the prettiest thing I have ever seen. This yarn is amazing...

Mineral Socks

Pattern: Heavily modified Charade by Sandra Park

Source: Her website which has since gone away
Yarn: Pagewood Farms, Yukon sock yarn, colourway Peaceful
Yarn Source: Bought at their booth, Stitches 2008
Yarn notes: I can't begin to describe the beauty. I love it so much. It's a little shiny because of the bamboo (and bamboo always rocks). And the colours are amazing! Olive Green, purple and light blue. Would never have put them together, but they are so beautiful together. The yarn reminds me of one of those polished stones you see.
Cast-on/off: 8/21-10/14/09 (August sock kit)

Needles: Knitpicks Harmony #1
Mods: Many. I had alot of trouble starting these. After a few rows of the charade pattern I decided it was alot of work for not much result. So I decided to give up and do the feet plain, But I get about 8 rows for detail at the top of the foot (I will try to get a photo of this). And then when I got to the leg, I took the charade sl 1, k1, yo, psso and worked it into the ribbing. It is magnificent, if I say so myself!

Fun: The beauty made it fun. They were kind of boring, but I just kept staring at the beauty of the yarn.

I will get better photos. But I am wearing these socks tomorrow!

A Life Less Ordinary

2009-10-12T21:33:00.004-05:00

"All I know is, if you don't figure out this something, you'll just stay ordinary, and it doesn't matter if its a work of art or a taco, or a pair of socks! Just create something... new, and there it is, and its you, out in the world, out side of you and you can look at it, or hear it, or read it, or feel it... and you know a little more about... you. A little bit more than anyone else does... "

Don't we all get our life wisdom from chick flicks? So I was watching P.S. I Love You this weekend and came across this speech. I like it. I know I am only following patterns when I knit, but each time I finish something I feel like I have created something new and different that is special. They aren't the great American novel or a painting that starts a new style of art, but I feel like they are adding something special and different to my world.

And in honor of the thought, I've named my latest finished socks after the place where the speech was delivered- Wicklow National Park

Wicklow Socks

Pattern: Reston by Susan Lutsky
Source: She sent it to me since I was her first test knitter. But once done it will be on Ravlery.
Yarn: Handmaiden Casbah in Hemlock
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe... maybe?
Yarn notes: I do love me some casbahCast-on/off: 9/7-10/10/09
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony #1.5
Mods: I did not continue the pattern through the foot. When I decided I wanted to, Susan asked me to at least finish them and take a photo. So I did, since I thought it was a good idea. Next time I will do as the pattern says. It's just adds a new dimension.
Fun: These flew! And I like them alot because they are ribbed and fit well, but also have more interest. And I did not hate the cuff down thing as much as I expect.
Since they were a test knit I wanted to do in a familiar yarn, they are not part of the sock club!

Summer is over

2009-10-10T23:08:00.004-05:00

The fall is quickly coming in.., so here's another ending of summer. My July sock club project is done. Never got a name though.

July Socks

Pattern: Sam by Cookie A.
Source: Cookie's book Sock Innovation
Yarn: Serendipitous Ewe Lucky Sock; colourway hydrangea
Yarn Source: Bought at their booth, Stitches 2008
Yarn notes: It's pretty and bamboo, which I love. But it bored me after awhile
Cast-on/off: 7/17-10/5/09 (July sock kit) Needles: Various #1.5- I did two at once so I could have mindless knitting. Clearly not mindless on the legs.
Mods: They are cuff down, but I did them toe-up
Fun: It did move pretty cquick and I like the result. But overall, they bored me.
They aren't ribbed, but they are actually quite comfy. I think they will grow on me. It's a cool pattern

In other sock club news, I have killed June. Killed it for all. I have been trying for 3 years

to knit something with this yarn and have decided it is hopeless. It is going to North Carolina where it will hopefully become something beautiful. I have a new brand yarn brand arriving that will substitute it. But it is going to be a Christmas present, so no talking about it!

Get on your boots!

2009-09-30T17:25:00.005-05:00

Last night was U2 at Fed-Ex Stadium. Excellent night, except for the Fed-Ex Stadium part. And because of the Fed-Ex stadium traffic, we got there after the concert had begun so even though I had knitting in my bag, I didn't need it. Shoot! Should have knit in the 2+ hours of traffic. Awesome, amazing night. I do love the lads from Dublin!

But if you have your boots on, you won't able to see socks! Cause look at all this progress! I finished two individual socks this week. I can't kitchener for the life of me.

And two other socks are at the heel turn! Woohoo!

Cause really socks....

You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how beautiful you are

Progress?

2009-09-27T13:31:00.010-05:00

So you can tell it's fall. Suddenly I am not spending lots of free time on the sofa or at the pool. Suddenly things are getting busy!

But somehow I have finished three socks since that update ten days ago. Here are two- the July sock and a test knit I'm doing for Susan. And I finished an August sock. They seriously need a name. And am turning the heel on my September sock. Progress- here's July and the test knit.

And in shopping news, I missed the Gothsocks sneak-up this week. Had a sign on my computer but was so busy doing this thing called work... so I got a gothsack instead. Which I love so much, it takes the sting away. So there are only another 50 gothsacks I want- they're all so awesome! I'm in such a Halloween mood this year- and I'll be sitting in a hotel room in spriny Australia instead!

Sock of the month club

2009-09-16T18:18:00.014-05:00

It's getting cool out which means the year is starting to wane. And how have I done in my own little sock club? I think pretty good!

January: Foxtrotting bones
Plain toe up with a picot edge.

Perchance to knit
Finished in June

February: Blue Rivendells
Rivendell
Sanguine Gryphon
Finished in March

March: Kennets
Plain vanilla with slip stitch rib
Unique sheep
Finished in July

April: Mint Juleps
9-5
Brooklyn Homespun
Finished in August

May: LaLa's Rescue Me, Will Turner! Socks
Water Rescue Socks

Dream in Colour
Finished in June

June: Who knows
Fleece Artist Somoko
Can't find a good project- back to square 1

I have an idea

July: Unnamed
Cookie A's Sam

Serendipitous Ewe

One is almost done, the other about 20% done. Have two at the same time because needed plain knitting.

August: Also unknown

Very modified Charade
Pagewood Farms
Almost done with one

What beautiful yarn and after much experimenting with patterns, I have modified an existing pattern and that is working amazingly.

September: Sophisiticate

Belle Epoque

Indigodragonfly MCN

Happiness is pretty socks.

Almost done with the leg of the first one

So there is still work to be done....basically two and a half pairs to be up to date.

And maybe some blog formatting to figure out.

My Old Kentucky Home

2009-09-12T22:08:00.005-05:00

Not that I have one. Actually I have never been to Kentucky! For some reason people keep thinking trips to wineries are more interesting than bourbon distilleries! Infidels! However, this month is National Bourbon Heritage Month! And I'm celebrating!

I love the Kentucky Derby- especially love the singing of My Old Kentucky Home while the horses head to the gate. I never bet since I won a quite large amount of money on War Emblem. and I feel I have used a lifetime of luck (I'll bet at other horse races though!) And I also love the mint juleps. The combo of whiskey burn and mint cool.....

Oh- and I love my mint julep socks!

Mint Julep Socks

Pattern: Nine-to-Five Socks by Nicole Hindes
Source: Her website (above) or a Ravelry download
Yarn: Brooklyn Handspun Soft Spun Plus, colourway Mint Julep
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Yarn notes: When I saw a green with the name, I knew it would be mine. And I'm happy I did because this yarn is the softest I've ever felt. So much happiness in all of this! Cast-on/off: 5/2-8/23/09 (April sock kit)
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony #1.5
Mods: Did toe up again. Also did the toe-up gusset heel by Wendy- it was pretty easy and has less holes than a short row heel. But it is a quite roomy heel, so will see how I feel wearing it.
I've done this pattern before with my pelican socks and I will probably do it again. I want to do the proper cuff down as the pattern has a lovely heel.
Fun: There is no way not to have fun when you're knitting with yarn that feels like that!
Now if only it would get cold enough to wear them!

PS- apologies for the stolen photo. I did a series of mint juleps shots over the summer, some with the sock WIP, but they went away when the old computer died.

The Addiction

2009-09-02T18:01:00.003-05:00

Yes, I do have more finished objects to show. But today, Iwant to show German pretties. Wollmeise from my latest order- most of which are turning around and going elsewhere.

But look at those colours! Noone else does colours like that. And that is why wollmeise is worth all nighters and becoming friends with complete strangers. I do love Fleece Artist/Handmaiden's colours as well, but they are more mellow. Whereas wollmeise always makes you go "wow!" And this photo doesn't do it justice.

...and the Knitting Champion of Arlington

2009-08-30T10:06:00.005-05:00

Sorry, got distracted by other things. So here is the final of the Arlington County Fair entries. You've seen it unblocked and pieces of it, but here is the whole shawl!

Champion Wrap

Pattern: Laminaria by Elizabeth Freeman
Pattern Source: Spring 2008 Knitty
Yarn: Wollmeise in Peppermint Prinz (2 skeins)
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Cast-on/cast-off: June 16-August 8, 2009

Needles: Addi Natura #6
Mods: None- it was tough enough to follow the pattern!
Fun: None-- 8-into-3 stars are so hard! Plus I kept assuming the pattern was wrong and rewriting it and that was wrong. I probably really started this earlier in the spring, but there were several complete froggings.

But the end result is so beautiful, so who cares of the pain in making. And it is warm!

Plus it got a blue ribbon and a big purple champion ribbon!

Reserve Champion that is also a FO

2009-08-23T20:11:00.006-05:00

And next on our county fair parade are the gloves that won first place in mittens/gloves and reserve champion (2nd) for the knitting category.

Prize Fighting Gloves

Pattern: Entangled Stitched by Julia Mueller
Pattern Source: For a short amount of time it was offered for free on Ravelry
Yarn: Wollmeise in Grashupher
Yarn Source: The Loopy Ewe
Cast-on/cast-off: August 9-17, 2009. Yes, really. There was alot of knitting and even an all nighter. You can do this time table, but I don't recommend it
Needles: Holz & Stein 1.5- amazing needles

Mods: Not really. I mostly followed the pattern, except where I goofed up, especially on the two sides- I messed up those little squiggles so much. Well written pattern. but required focus. I did do my little back and forth thing between the fingers to prevent holes. Fun: These were a bit too much like an obsession to be much fun. Deadline knitting at its worse- I was a raging crazy person for a week. The second I finished them, I felt a total sense of peace coming over me. And come winter, I will be wearing these non-stop.
The details were alot of work, but they are so pretty. You can look back a few posts and see.

Early returns

2009-08-22T22:34:00.002-05:00

Went to the fair and the ribbons on here. Working on figuring one out and need to photograph another better.

But Nessie has won a blue ribbon in the scarf/muffler category. The judges liked his design and decorating. His sequins are coming out from wear and I must admit, I was so sick of needles I did not fix it. Judges did not like that.

But he is still as cute as ever. Or she?

More tomorrow. Tired.

Fair time

2009-08-18T19:26:00.007-05:00

Are you goin to Arlington fair? parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there, he once was a true love of mine

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Without no seams nor needlework, then shell be a true love of mine

Full details and results later

Wednesday approaches

2009-08-15T19:19:00.004-05:00

County fair drop-off is Wednesday. You can go to Vegas and place bets if I'll make it.

Fe-youuuu!

2009-08-09T11:07:00.005-05:00

Strolling through Ravelry this spring I found the most beautiful shawl, in a yarn I owned that was also spectacular enough to be county-fair worthy. The only problem was, I had two skeins. The person who knit the inspiration shawl ran out of yarn with 200 stitches left to bind off. The yarn was wollmeise. Not the easiest yarn to just get more of.

But it was beautiful. So I decided to go for it. I went down a needle size and started knitting. Alot of setbacks as I don't know how to read, but in general, Laminaria was a fast moving pattern. And I felt really confident that my changing the needle size would save me the fate of the other knitter. And if it didn't, several F5ers had already offered their skeins bought at the same sneak-up. But I would have felt horrid to deprive them.

Then with about 4 rows left, I did my routine every once in awhile pat of the skein to keep assuring myself there was so much left. And suddenly there wasn't so much left. It has disappeared at a shocking rate! So at the end of the row I weighed the remaining yarn. 28 grams. Knit the next row. End of that row, 24 grams. 4 grams a row, plus maybe one more for the increases. I would be golden.

Get to the bind off with 19 g left. But the pattern tells me to double the yarn. Do the math, it'll be close, but doable. Stop at the 1/4 spot. Reweigh. 10 g. WHAT??? So I undo the bind-off and redo it with a size 9 needle but only single strand. Finished. Reweighed the leftovers.

11 grams left. Phew! Began with 364- ended with 11. Close! That's even enough to keep for the sockyarn blanket when I should make it some day.

And more importantly-- the shawl is lovely. The fair drop-off is August 19 so I am going to wait till closer to that date to block it. No matter how it blocks, it's getting entered.
Flush with victory I'm going to see if I can do a second project, also wollmeise in time for the fair. I have already mondo frogged. Cause I can't read.

Good-bye to that move

2009-07-31T22:26:00.005-05:00

That, in my rearview window is the 9-into-3 stars. Finally! Of all stitches I have learned, this was the most painful. Knit one through three stitches, yarn over, knit through the stitches again. Repeat until you have nine stitches in the original 3 stitches. Looks a little like this. The tighter you knit, the harder it is. And I knit tight.

And from the front before blocking it looks like this.

And now that I had done the last blossom and are moving onto the first of two borders, the laminaria shawl looks like this.

Good-bye knitting move!! Hello lots of borders!

True Art at the Beginning

2009-07-26T20:36:00.005-05:00

From now on this blog is being brought to you with the aide of Adele. She's a cute little Dell- thus the name. A good pun as it was my grandma's name. I hope my mom isn't offended.

And I can now proudly display my first piece of weaving. It's bigger than a coaster, smaller than a placemat. If anyone has suggestions for its use, let me know. We'll ignore I have my first piece sooner than everyone else because of forgeting to tape the loom pieces down before transporting and also the fact that my weaving draws in (thus the unique shape). This is just my first piece!

You want knitting? See my pretty new stitch markers Jaya gave me- on a secret project.

Not enough? How about a finished object?

Kennett Socks

Pattern: Plain vanilla with slipped-stich ribbing on legs
Pattern Source: Ribbing from from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Unique Sheep Verve in Woolgirl with a Twist
Yarn Source: Woolgirl
Cast-on/cast-off: April 4-July 16, 2009 (March work sock club kit)
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony 0 dpns

Mods: None- I even did the pattern that the sock club selected! Only time this year

Fun: They moved fast. They have ended up with Lori since they are a bit small for me and I have alot of knitted socks. And it might inspire her to move onto socks and get away from doing the same sea silk scarf over and over again.

Things will be looking up

2009-07-24T08:46:00.005-05:00

The bad news continues. My computer is dead- related to the accident or not, you can decide. It was in the trunk of my car when it was hit. I'm letting the insurance company decide. The good part of no computer at home is you get knitting done. But no photos. Those will come once I've set the new laptop up.

Until then, a sign that the world is really a good place

Lazy Days of Summer

2009-07-16T20:13:00.003-05:00

Summer is here, and I'm back from my vacation. Wherever I went, it was chilly, overcast and/or raining. Good planning! And then on the way home, my poor little car got rear-ended by a semi-truck! I'm fine and he'll be fine after alot of work. But here's the view from the majority of my vacation.

Didn't knit much on vacation- the whole me driving thing and then lots of children around not allowing for mellow relaxing times. Then when I got home I didn't knit either- I guess it's how a knitter exhibits PTSD.

But, I did start my weaving class over the weekend.

And I got my Loopy swap gift from Jaya. Look at these amazing socks! And as a note, these might be the fanciest, best knit thing you ever see on this blog. They're the Viper Pilot pattern in Dream in Colour Cloud Jungle. A space pilot theme!

So life is finally getting back to normal and knitting resumed Sunday night. If I focus, there will be FOs this week.

Greetings from the Pond

2009-06-27T18:47:00.005-05:00

I've been spending much time at the cement pond lately, but unfortunately, this post is not about that. No, this is about the Frog Pond I've been spending even more time in. Like they say, sometimes you're frogging more than knitting and that is me these days. Knit a row, frog three.

The first was a sensible frogging. After several years in time out because I just wasn't interested, a pattern came along that wanted the yarn. So the campanula lace socks have been frogged and will be the new Killa socks as May's sock club entry.

And I mentioned in my past post that I tried a different pattern for LaLa's socks before I found the one I liked. The first was Azure and after several go rounds with the sizing, I got that. But after three pattern repeats, I did not see the whale tail pattern coming out and couldn't afford to spend anymore time experimenting. So frog they were. And yes, in the photo, suddenly one can see the start of the whale tales.

And finally, my laminaria shawl. The one I want for my county fair entry this year. I got to row 7 of the transition chart and my count seemed off. I counted, looked up someone's blog for row counts and I was off. So it looked like this, but it was wrong.

So then it looked like this.

And I got to the same point and had the same count as before. Before I had the count for the scarf, not the shawl I was making. So proceeded to more problems. And then I learned an important lesson- when there is a strange symbol on a chart, it is not because they used a strange symbok for something you know, it is because it stands for something you don't know! The 2 into 1 stiches (k2tog and ssk) where actually THREE into one. Head thunk. I hope this is salvageable with no frogging. My heart can't take it!

And finally, it seems weird to discuss the frogging of a project you have never discussed. But I ordered this amazing yarn from Scotland- I'll tell ya her story some other day. And cast on Anne Hanson's Tudor Rose. Wrong gauge, so frogged it after three pattern repeats. Grrrr. So here is the yarn Ripples in colourway Assynt Winter with a photo of Castle Aardveck on Loch Assynt. It's the wallpaper on my computer. Shows why I had to have it!

Ready for the beach

2009-06-24T22:40:00.004-05:00

Been busy round here- you can read Mary Ellen's post for the reunion update, even if she did leave she doesn't ensure the nation's museums are protecting the nation's treasures and managing their resources in legal and ethical ways. And the CSA has been a hit- three weeks and two new vegetables in my repertoire. Kohlrabi (which is just fun to say) and bok choy, which while I never avoided before, I never sought out.

And knitting, a little. Such as LaLa's Loopy Swap 4 package got sent out. She liked pirates and had the colourway deep sea flower on her wishlist, so I made ocean pirates the theme. Including her socks

LaLa's "Save Me, Will Turner" Socks

Pattern: Water Rescue socks by Natalia Marek (she designs socks, she bellydances, she has complicated math games to make you sleep when you have insomnia- she's cool!)
Pattern Source: Ravelry shop

Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in Deep Sea Flower
Yarn Source: Knitwerks during the Chicago Annual Meeting
Cast-on/cast-off: 5/18/-6/6/09Needles: Knitpicks Harmony 1.5 dpns
Mods: They are size 10.5--- do they need mods?
Fun:This was not my first pattern choice- it had been the Azure socks but after several weeks of casting on and frogging, including valuable travel time, I got tired of an experiment that was not going to work and picked the other water related socks in LaLa's queue. And these were fun to make, the pattern was memorizable and they moved fast. I'm going to make a pair for me!

We Saved the World, I Say We Party

2009-06-06T19:00:00.006-05:00

I would say name the quote- but it's too easy.

I didn't exactly save the world, but while watching one episode of Buffy, I finished TWO projects! Wee-heee! One has been photoed, wrapped and packed and ready to head to Mississippi. The other is for me, so here it is! The January sock club project- two done, two more en route and one about to be cast on.

Foxtrotting Bones

Pattern: Wendy's Generic Toe-up Sock Pattern by Wendy Johnson

Pattern Source: Wendy's Blog
Yarn: Perchance to Knit... sock yarn
Yarn Source: From Tracey's destash
Yarn notes: Didn't really like knitting with it, it felt like string. But now that they are done, they're nice thin socks so maybe I'll like wearing them. Pink & black rocks!
Cast-on/cast-off: 3/13/-6/6/09
Needles: Knitpicks Harmony 1.5 dpns
Mods: I've made this basic vanilla pattern enough- it's good, basic and fits well. But when I got to the end of these, they started screaming "we need a picot edge!" So I looked it up, found a blog with instructions and did it. Love it. And I think the edging makes all the difference.

I think I might have started the ribbing too soon after the heel turn- I normally like to keep plain stockinette through where the shoe touches. So we'll see how that works. My ankle also looks huge in the photo....
Fun: These seemed to move quickly, when I worked on them.

The original plan for these had been to be the Herringbone Rib socks, but I kept messing them up so decided to change the pattern and make a brainless sock. Which worked well. One day I'll get back to the pattern.

So two months of socks for the 2009 AAM Sock Club--- ten more to go!

More secret photos

2009-06-01T20:57:00.003-05:00

Almost done! Sat at the Orioles game Saturday night knitting. At least I was watching the game- Lori was reading! But of course, no photos!

So electronica chat as only a knitter could love. I lost my mp3 player on my way home from Boston. After a week of ripping everything up, I gave up on ever finding it- which especially sucks as Andy just added a bunch of new music to it. I loved it, so I kept with Sansa this brand--- but look at this baby!

Knitters can tell its size next to the row counter. It's about the size of a Shuffle- but has a screen! And a radio function so I can start listening to NPR on the way to work in the morning.

Knitter in Black

2009-05-29T20:57:00.003-05:00

Oh, it's one of those evenings on the F5 thread, but until my genius in rewriting Johny Cash lyrics for knitters is appreciated I'm coming over here! Cause I'm the knitter in black- knitting for the alpacas, the sheep, those whose LYS only carries acrylic. All those knitters who are oppressed by plastic needles and yarn with lots of knots.

But I have been knitting. Lots and lots. I actually spent most of last weekend finally knitting and relaxing. See

Isn't my table polished really pretty? Cause I'm not showing you my knitting! It's top secret and as the deadline is very soon it's about all I've been doing.

So that is my knitting update. I am knitting. I just can't tell you about it. Exciting, aye?

KIPing at the Museum

2009-05-22T21:03:00.005-05:00

When I was in Boston, I spent the first day in the city, getting kultcha. But since I had luggage, my wanderings were all at the MFA Boston. When I got tired, I just grabbed a seat (they had lots of good seating- bravo!) and grabbed my knitting.

In graduate school, they encouraged us to always stay connected with your public by anonymously going out into your galleries and listening to people- hear how they talk about what is on display, what they are reacting to, if they are liking it. I always did when I was at a museum- but I have learned having knitting is an even better way to do this! Maybe you seem less creepy and stalkerish?

I can spend hours on a street just people watching- one reason I love Vegas- but a museum has people and art (or other collections)! I spent over an hour in the room with the Sargents and also some time with the Indian Art, Mannerists and the Sargent frescoes. And overheard the most interesting stories and reactions from people of all ages and types. I learned so much- like see the Sargent painting on the right? The two daughters in the back- you can only see their aprons here. They both ended up in mental hospitals, which you can see in the painting something is up. And the vase in the corner is the one from the painting- the father apparently loved it as much as his daughters. And I met interesting people- clearly it is in the Knitters Code of Conduct you can always talk to another knitter. I was very happy one did as she was wearing a beautiful sweater and I wanted more information.

It was such a really good experience. I emerged exhausted at the end of the day (to have dinner and then go to the Rhett Miller concert- well worth the rallying!) feeling extremely enriched in many ways, but also with much progress on my mint julep sock.

But this was fun. I think I'm going to start to do it more often, even in my hometown. But for now, enjoy the shots of my mint julep sock at the museum. Not the best photos- but I didn't want to be too obvious about it. I was already the weird lady knitting in a museum.

Checking in

2009-05-22T20:42:00.005-05:00

I've been scarce- can I use top secret gift knitting as an excuse? Even if it has been frogged almost ten times? But in my defense- I've been really busy without much to show for it on a knitting blog. As I woke up this morning to strange things in my home, I realize I've been sleepwalking, which means I haven't been getting enough sleep and I've been stressed. But the stress is good stress- I think.

So what have I been doing? Went to see Leonard Cohen and it was a wonderful evening, even if it was really cold and raining. I had knitting in my pocket, but when you're huddled trying to stay dry your hands aren't free to knit. And I had killed myself to get my second kennett sock to the plain knitting part so I could. Oh well.

And I had all sorts of other birthday festivities. Although no yarn presents- shock! But do I really need more yarn or knitting books? One of my birthday gatherings was a mint julep bar crawl- and we crawled. I totally forgot to take photos of the mint juleps to include in discussion of my Mint Julep socks. Clearly I have to go have more!

I went to Boston for an extended weekend to see Andy and his girls. I knit in the car all the way up to the parents in New Hampshire accompanied by "you never knit socks for me" from the nieces. What is people's take on that? Their feet grow so fast it doesn't seem worth it for them. I just make them for their mom- she deserves them. Am I a mean aunt?

I guess this long post needs a photo. The Ravelry people will know why this is knitting related. As a birthday present, F5er Susan gave me a garden gnome- Melvin. He's living on my balcony. Wonder if he's using that broom to sweep it up?

Must be witty and interesting

2009-05-07T18:16:00.005-05:00

But if I wait to be awake enough to be so, I'll never post again. So lots of photos instead.

Philadelphia was exhausting- but still fun. And you have to love a city with my initials in lights over it. I don't know what the second S is for.

Then a few hours after getting home, a sleeping Pamela spent a rainy day at Maryland Sheep & Wool. Lots of sheep- including rasta sheep!

Scottish sheep

Alpacas!

And even sleeping, I can buy yarn. But not too much- Tess's Pink & Grey, Greem Mountain Spinnery from Vermont (seems its time for daddy to get some socks or something) and Socks that Rock millends- they don't which colour and I can't figure out. It's pretty. Probably one of the smallest MSW hauls in history.

And there has been some knitting- a little at least. But it moves fast! I'm using the same pattern I used for the Pelican socks that ended up at home with Heather. These will stay home with me. They're in Brooklyn Handspun Mint Julep which is SO soft!

The One Where I'm a LOTR fan

2009-04-30T20:39:00.006-05:00

Oops, I did finish something last week! Here it is- sorry, been a little nuts lately. This is a beautiful, beautiful pattern named after LOTR. But at the risk of losing geek points, I'll admit, I never read more than the Hobbit. I saw the movies, but mostly paid attention to Viggo Mortenson and Orlando Bloom. Plus these socks remind me of Battlestar Galatica cause I worked on them through the finale. But they'll keep their Tolkein name, since it is pretty. Like them.

Blue Rivendell

Pattern: Rivendell by Janel Laidman

Pattern Source: The Eclectic Sole
Yarn: Sanguine Gryphon Sea Sock in Walden
Yarn source: Bought at the Sanguine Gryphon booth at Stitches East in October
Yarn comments: It's really pretty, but too dark for the pattern
Cast-on/ cast-off: 3/13-4/16/09 (these were done over a week earlier, but were sitting waiting for the toe to be kitchenered)
Needles: Harmony dpns #1
Fun: These moved really fast. And were interesting. And the pattern is really beautiful. I'm going to make them again in a lighter colour so they can be seen better. Here's a huge image- maybe you can see it a little?Mods: none. But when I make them again, I will make them taller. And yes, they are cuff down with a heel gusset. Impressed yet?

There's been progress on other socks- thanks to bad traffic. I cast on my mint julep socks yesterday- smack at the end of April! Not so much on the shawl- I've become addicted to Mafia Wars on Facebook rather than knit. As much as I think Facebook is inane, dang, they have good games! Off to Philly in the morning and will be back in time to change clothes and head to MSW! I'll be back after to show off my new yarn! STR Rare Gems in green- put in a wish for me!!

I am going to see Star Trek next weekend- that gets me some geek points back- right?