Did I Do That?!

There I was, minding my own business, headed home, when Lexie suddenly lurched to the left, and then to the right, and I found myself in a yarn shop.  Stacey and I have been talking about Noro’s Taiyo quite a bit, and I decided I had to have some.  While I was snatching up the colorway of my dreams like a starving dog on a bone, I somehow snarfed up some Matsuri too.  It’s cotton and wool, and just lucious.  On the top there is Plymouth’s Happy Feet.  It actually feels rough compared to the Matsuri.  I’m still no fan of the Noro staple, Kureyon, but evidently, I’m a sucker for their softer yarns.

 

Just look at it.  I am.  Heck, this post could have been done ten minutes ago if not for the pauses to admire and pet my new yarn luv.  There’s 220+ yards of self-striping softness there, yearning to become a shrug of some sort, I think.

That’s the Bamboucle I failed to photograph yesterday.  You needed to see it.  I mean, if I’m suddenly gahgah about a boucle, that’s worth a look, no?

I promised an FO too.  It’s a hat for Ann’s Sublynnmal Healing Campaign.  (Join us please, for some knitting that will truly make a difference.)

Pattern:  Delite Hat  

Changes:  Quite a few.  There’s an error in the fourth row of the lace pattern.  The K2 should be K2tog, I do believe.  I also opted to keep the twisted rib going through the decreases, even knitting the K2togs through the back loop.  Then, I feared I wouldn’t have enough yarn, and indeed, I would have been a few yards short, so I grabbed some of that nearly edible Malabrigo for a fun, bold pink stripe.  I like it, and I hope Lynn will too.

Comments:  While it’s such a cute hat that I’m having a hard time telling it buh-bye, I doubt very seriously if I’ll ever knit it again.  All that twisted rib made me crazy, and slowed me WAY down. 

Yarns:  Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Aran (blue) and Malabrigo Chunky (pink stripe).  I will say that the knitting went faster with the wool, rather than the slightly fuzzy, slippery stuff.  I love both yarns, but it’s another lesson in fiber substitution.

Needles:  My new Knitpicks Harmony Options, size 6 tips, 40″ cord, so I could magic loop my way through the whole thing. 

Still with me?  I hope so, because the best is yet to come. 

Remember the little wager Anita and I had, to urge us both on with our wraps?  Well, I finished my clapotis first, so I was waiting to see what yarn she would send.  As usual, Anita outdid herself.  Look at that!  (Just scroll down for close-ups.)  There’s a lot more than a hank of great yarn there, but I know you want to see it all, so just keep going. 

I do have to note that Gypsy Knits was kind enough to include a special treat package for me too, as Anita had mentioned some of her purchase was a gift.  You know I love that kind of attention to detail and customer service…

 

 

First, the yarn, from Gypsy Knits.

It’s called Apple Valley, which is way cool, as I love apples, and my state has an apple blossom festival coming up soon.  The colors scream spring, and I’m looking forward to casting on. 

The bag is one of the best designs I’ve seen.  Check out the drawstring, the elastic loop to stay on your wrist if you choose to walk and knit, and a wee caribeaner so it can hook onto most anything.  It’s roomy enough for a medium lace project, and even for two socks at a time!  It’s also from Gypsy Knits, and I was CRUSHED this morning when I saw its twin on Anita’s blog, and couldn’t find another for me.  Sneaky, sneaky, and I love it!! 

Of course, being the thoughtful gal that she is, Anita dropped in a couple of her own cute clay stitch markers.  Here lately, I’ve been thinking Anita and I are like two peas in a pod, but she said she chose these because they’re sweet peas for sweet me.  Ha!!  It’s great to have friends getting to know me pretty well but who still think I’m sweet! 

I know this has been another long post, but I had so much to share!  Now, to Ravelry to find a few patterns for my new yarns so I can knit away during House.   The new episodes are a few weeks out yet, but that’s okay.  I’ll flip back and forth between House and the NCAA basketball finals.

Twins!

Two socks, cast on and off at the same time, on the same needle.  Wee! 

Details: 

Pattern: Pedicure Socks  My second pair, but these were done via Magic Loop, two at a time, courtesy of 2-at-a-time Socks.  I did jump off track and do the heels separately, so the next pair, I’m going to follow one of her patterns to a tee.  Then, I hear there are variations on the 2 socks on one circ theme, so if doing it her way doesn’t seem absolutely perfect, I’ll search out more. 

Yarn:  More Wick.  Can’t get enough of this soy blend.  This is colorway #565.  I really like named colorways better, just in case any yarn makers read my blog.

Needle:  Knitpicks Options Harmony #6, 40″ cable.  I can’t imagine doing two socks on anything shorter than a 40″, but I might have to, because Addis only go down to a #1 that I can find, and KPs only make their tiny sizes in a 32″ cable. 

I cannot tell you how much satisfaction there is in pulling a PAIR of socks off the needle at the same time.  I also didn’t mind all the pushing and pulling as much as I did with my first pair of ML socks - my very first socks EVER, done one at a time.  I think it is comparable to the pushing and pulling with two circs, so I’m now sold on Magic Loop. 

I love this colorway, and hope my friend will too.  It just goes to show that there are no absolutes for me on colors.  I say I don’t like yellow or orange, but they’re both in there, and look great!  I think if I could name this colorway, I’d call it Spring Garden. 

I had another package yesterday.  While chatting about Magic Loop and socks, Ruth offered to trade her 40″ Addis for some 32″ Knitpick metals.  Most of you know Knitpicks are slow shippers, so I hope Ruth doesn’t have to wait too long for my end of the trade!  You’ll see she also included some teas for me to try.  The lavender certainly has my attention, and I think once I hit “publish” here, I’ll try a cup.  Thanks Ruth!  Hopefully soon, we’ll both have sock needles we like.

The weather and Sissy finally cooperated.  There are my first (and only so far) dropped stitches.  After seeing the finished Clapotis yesterday, I’m glad Grace suggested that I do fewer repeats for a summer wrap and to assure that I have enough yarn.   I think I’ll spend the afternoon with Clappy.

That’s just about one skein’s worth.  I don’t think you can see the purple in there, but it’s there.  Blue, yellow, tealish green, and a bright purple are the colors twisted in with the base of blue to form the stripes.  Seeing the completed project yesterday has motivated me, so I think I’ll get to knitting while I’m so inclined. 

Eatin’ Crow

Anne gets a front-row seat, as does Caroline from Carodan Farm, and KSee and Robin can beam on like proud mamas.   But that’s just a teaser; that will make more sense after I tell you about my change of plans yesterday.

The baby shower got bumped, not because I dislike the guest of honor, but because I had a chance to meet another blogger and some of her friends, and go to Stony Mountain Fibers, the LYS owned by a friend of my inlaws.  You see, Firefly (aka: Rosanne) called Friday night to say that Robin was coming to town, and was there any way I could be tempted to change my plans?  You betcha’.  (I already had a dinner date with mom to be and two other ladies this coming Tuesday.) 

I caught up with Robin and Mary  for lunch and a quick trip in a local artists’ boutique.  (Robin chronicles the trip nicely, including a funny shot of a pup in a pink sweater and matching sunglasses.)  Then, we headed to Stony Mountain Fibers, where Margaret, another Charlottesville gal, joined us.  I’d read her blog before too, and I’d seen her name along with a local knit night I keep meaning to attend.  They - everyone except Rosanne and me - tested out the spinning wheels, and I now at least have an understanding of the spinning lingo.  It’s a fascinating process, and I might take a class for curiosity’s sake, but I still maintain that I love to knit too much to get into spinning.  Besides, can you see me spinning with Sissy around!?

So, while others spun, I shopped. 

Robin found the FiberTrends sock pattern, and luckily, there was more than one copy.  I am determined to do two socks at a time, so I’m going to try Magic Loop again.  (I did my very first pair of socks ever via Magic Loop, and didn’t enjoy it.  However, desperate times call for desperate measures.)  That’s a 40″ #1 Addi over on the left, and then assorted yarns that wanted to come home with me.  There were several colorways of Tofutsies I don’t have, but I left them for another day.

So, despite being full from breakfast, I’m eating crow.  As I predicted, the Magic Loop version of two socks at the same time makes more sense to me than my beloved 2 circs method.  I’ve frogged this version in favor of the Cascade Sierra Quattro I purchased last weekend, and yes, those are pedicure socks.  I have two pairs I need to gift sooner rather than later.  My technique isn’t pretty, but it’s working, and that’s all that matters.  I’m hoping that by the end of the socks, I’ll have a system that works, and after another pair of socks, I’ll have to decide whether to invest in more 40″ wee sock needles or to take my new skill and try again to transpose it to the two circs method.  Stay tuned…

Omega’s Omega

Natalie had a fun, sweet contest about how you met your beloved.  I won a prize, and look at that!  Who doesn’t love Kisses and cotton?  I’m hoping that one of the pregnant women I know will have a girl, because that ball has already told me it longs to be a burp cloth.  The dogs and I didn’t even have to share Valentines, which is cool, because I won’t share the chocolate or the yarn, so this way, I was able to hold up the appropriate card and read it to them.  Sissy thought perhaps I’d let her eat *HER* card, but um, no.  Thanks so very much, Gnat!!!  (And if you’re not listening to her podcasts, you should be.)

(Don’t look at the mess behind the wrap.)  I tried an alternate route home from the chiropractor’s this evening, and I got here just in time for a natural light photo.    I should have probably stuck with the medium, but when you’re between sizes, it’s a tough call.  I do like that it runs further down my arms in overall length, so all in all, I’m pleased.  The Omega is an FO. 

Details:

Yarn:  Two hanks of Ellen Cooper’s Texas Big Horn in “kilm”, and one of Nantucket, which is the same color in the boucle.   My first mohair experience, and while it was a mohair, wool, silk blend (not necessarily in that order), I loved it, minus the boucle part, but I’ve whined enough about that and I thank you for your shared opinions!

Pattern:  Omega Wrap  Loved it.  Mindless knitting at its best.  I see she has some other cute patterns, and I’m interested. 

Needles:  Knitpick Harmonys, #10.5 for the body, with a switch to #8s as directed in the pattern.  I didn’t have any trouble with the colorful needles and the colorful yarn.

Now, if it will just get cold enough so I can wear it!

Next on the needles is Bigfoot.  I’ve already cast on for a wee newborn hat in the Oh My! left over from the blankie, to make the Knight shut up.  I should finish that tonight, unless I can’t stand it and Bigfoot jumps on the needles too!

Was it *MY* birthday?!

I had a great day yesterday with one of my dearest friends in the whole world.  Firefly  and I have been friends for forever and a day, as the saying goes.  Yesterday, we spent the day stomping around one of the two spots in the world I consider a hometown - Warrenton.  (The other spot is obviously home now…)  The yarn crawl was bookended by two great meals with her OH, starting with lunch at the comfy chic It’s About Thyme, and ending with supper at the very down-home Pig ‘n Steak.  (Sign of the times that each has a website, eh?)

We’ll get to the yarn crawl, but go grab a cuppa’ (I’m having chai this morning, with blueberry bread) and a snack, and tuck in for a long post.

Before we look at what moved south to my house, let’s check out what was waiting for me at home.  (Not the Knight; he was also out with friends when I returned, and y’all see enough of Mugsy and Sissy…)

The incredible yarn at the top is “Tulips” by NH Knitting Mama.   I got to help name it!  It reminds me of tulips, and I’m looking forward to seeing mine in another month or so.   The Knight actually planted some that should be the very blue of the yarn, and we debated over a funky purple that would be close to the kinda’ grey in the yarn too.  I’ll have to take photos when they bloom and we’ll compare notes.  Someone remind me, okay? 

So while I’m on the subject, pop over and check out her CONTEST, tell her I sent you, or head straight to her SHOP for some of her to DYE for yarn yourself.  Really folks, it’s incredibly soft, and the colors are soooo vivid… You really do need to see for yourself!

The rest of the photo is my Knitpicks order.  I couldn’t wait for Alison’s book to arrive!  As I predicted, I’m struggling to race through the rest of the Omega Wrap so I can get started on the Bigfoot shawl in there with my Fred yarn.  There are so many great shawls and scarves in there, and I truly adore the history of the inspiration for each one included within.  Each of you NEEDS this book.  Every pattern is rated from beginner to experienced, and the instructions are provided in “words” and charts, whichever you prefer.  Go on, order it, and while you’re waiting for it to arrive, check out the free patterns on her website, which also include the snippets of history behind their designs.

And yes, the cable is to replace the one Sissy ate.  She’s doing much better these days, and has trained me to put my knitting up when I leave the room.  I just wish Knitpicks would sell the silly little ”key” tool thingamabob by itself. 

Still with me?  Good.  Here we go…

First stop in quaint, downtown The Plains (and yes folks, *THE* is part of the name, thanks much), is Hunt Country Yarns.  Friendly and helpful, even with a full shop, they carry some truly primo yarns, which I enjoyed petting and left there.  I nearly bought so many things, but knowing Firefly’s favorite shop was yet to come, I paced myself.

That’s Cascade Sierra Quattro, probably for MJ’s pediwicks, but really, to “test drive” for my Clapotis.  I’ve decided that 800+ yards of cotton just SCREAMS “slog along” to me and would doom the project.  There’s also a sweet little Addi crochet hook, because Addi rocks, right?  I also finally settled on the I wonder what Sissy is doing now I miss her Panda Wool, which I’d not seen before.  (Socks for me, in case you were wondering.)

Then, ventured to My Favorite Yarn Shop, tucked away on a Warrenton side street I hadn’t been on in over 20 years.  It’s not to be missed.  Firefly was sorry I’d missed the owners, but the daughter of one owner holding down the fort was sweet and friendly.  They have the complete line of Bryspuns, which I’ve only seen in such quantities at Knitting Addiction, and just a great variety of yarns of all sorts.  If you’re on Rt 29 anywhere near Warrenton, swing in. 

After fondling just about every yarn in the place, I finally settled on what would come home with me.  It was also here, after carrying around some Ty-Dy for the majority of my visit, that I decided I needed to trust my gut and admit that I didn’t want to knit 800 yards of cotton, much less a dropped stitch pattern.  With that decision behind me, I went a little crazy.

Note the notions.  I’d just finished telling Firefly on the way to The Plains that I try to pick up my notions at Ben Franklin’s or JoAnn’s, because they’re cheaper.  Sigh.  Couldn’t help it.  Y’all know I needed “crochet” stitch markers, and those little rubber disks are my favorites, and I didn’t have the pink and blue set.  I also didn’t have any #10 straights, so now I have ‘em in my favorite straight brand.  That’s Morning Moon wool in the happy, spring colors, and I love the colors so much I very nearly bought two more skeins for the Clapotis, but reminded myself it’s supposed to be my spring/summer wrap…  I couldn’t leave Ocean Breezes there once I had it in my hands, and it was only with some fiscal restraint that Victorian Lace Today stayed behind.  (The patterns within are rather advanced.  I’d need a few more basic lace items under my belt first!)  However, the Ella Rae Palermo was irresistible, so home it came.  I also couldn’t resist more Wick for more pediwicks, and that was all the yarn library enhancements I made. 

Thank you for sticking with me through the whole post.  As a reward, I’ll whisper that yesterday was indeed Firefly’s birthday.  She doesn’t like to make a big deal out of such things for herself, but if you’re inclined to stop in and wish her a good year or something…  It’s not like I did my normal birthday bit of putting her photo up and titling the post accordingly, right?!  Now, I must go hold Sissy and try to knit around her.  I still hope to finish the Omega Wrap tonight!

It’s Tea Time Somewhere

Mugsy and I are having tea.  (Sissy’s napping.  Gotta’ love those puppy evening naps.)  It’s probably not technically afternoon here anymore, but who cares?!  Are these not the cutest tea tins EVER?!  Straight from London, courtesy of my WordPress coach Monica, come the bus and its traveler’s pal, the map.  Joy! 

They didn’t travel across the pond alone.  They brought along these beauties.  I cannot WAIT to turn this made for me colorway into socks.  (The ones for my mother’s birthday just got bumped down the queue…)  Many, MANY thanks Monica.  They did indeed arrive on a bleak and blustery winter’s day and I am most assuredly cheered by your thoughtful generosity!

I was rewarded for sending out several packages myself by having a two parcel day at home.  This wad of cotton is Knit One Crochet Too’s Ty-Dy, in the very colorway that is in the lead for my Clapotis yarn.  A vendor in my Yahoo Group knits was kind enough to send it to me to try before I buy.  You know I love that kind of customer service, so if it knits like it feels to the touch, I’ll have to make a color choice very soon!

Daylight was fading, so it’s not the best shot, but I quickly tossed out the Oh My! blankie for you to see.  Kiss, kiss, love, love…  this is my baby yarn of choice now.  The static electricity it creates with me is a small concern though.  (Comments?!  I am always shocking Sissy and Mugsy when I wear my Crocs…  Is this a concern for babies?) 

Details:  7 skeins of Plymouth’s Oh My!, 6 for blankie, one (almost to the centimeter) for the shell trim.  I had feared I’d need more for the trim, so I have one ball left over.  That’s ten sets of 35 stitches there, thank you.  The shells were crocheted, and I’m soooo pleased with this whole project, done on #8 Knitpick Metal Options.  I did cast on with the Bryspun DPNs, and I can promise you that the next trip to Knitting Addiction  will find more of those and the Oh My in other colors in my basket.   I think I used a J hook, but maybe not.  I can’t wait to present this to my friend; I very nearly took it to her last night, but then I’d have to whip up another shower gift!  The Knight is demanding a baby hat with the remainder.  What say you?

Look ma, I got gauge!  Me, the loose knitter (or so I thought?), I’m getting 3 stitches per inch on the #10.5 Harmony Options.  Whoda’ thunkit?  So, the Omega Wrap is underway, and I moved up to the Large size too.  I’d rather have to fidget to keep it on my shoulders than have parts smashed or yarn stretched a bit below the shoulders, ya’ know?!  Oh - and Firefly? - it’s a mohair blend.  I won’t make it back to the beach before your birthday, but maybe I’ll find a few skeins for you there…  I saw more of the same yarn there last visit. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go play with the Ty-Dy and make a decision, and I really want to make serious progress on the Omega tonight too.  Last night was long and tedious, so I think I’ll make another pot of tea and settle in. 

I’m a Blocker!

Warning: LONG post ahead, with lots of photos.  Grab a cuppa’, and a snack too, and read on.   

It’s been a great weekend here at Haddon Wood.  Friday night, I blocked.  I mean, I REALLY blocked.  (And for the record, how cool is cool water?  Should my hands turn red from the chill?)  Unfortunately, there’s no photo of Sissy standing in the midst of it all, with me screaming “get down!”  so a word to Anne and any other houseguests, this gal is agile and athletic.  You’ve been warned.  For the other basset-savvy folks, I did come to my senses and gently place her in the floor rather than encouraging another wild leap, but…

(Yeah, if you look hard you can see the wrapping paper box there under the bed, or rather, not quite under the bed…)  The blocking wasn’t scary at all, thanks to Mr. Puffy’s mom and the Yarn Harlot’s great instructions (scroll down for the blocking post).  The results were SOOOO worth it. 

So, the scoop:

 

The blue wrap was done in Debbie Bliss alpaca silk on #8 Bryspun straights.  Sigh.  I’m glad there’s some left over, because I might have to make myself a hat out of this.  Yum!!  The only complain is that if I’m gonna’ fork over my money for a premo yarn, should there really be two joins - knots, at that - in several of the 8 balls I used?  I loved the The Princess Lace Wrap pattern (see Ravelry; my desktop isn’t cooperating with the PDF file link), and would do it again, but I might make it a 3-5 stitch border, because even after blocking, I think it’s not as “flat” as I’d like. 

The shawl (and special thanks to my assistant there…) is the Forest Canopy Shawl in Mirasol Hacho on #7 Knitpick Options.  I used the steel tips because that’s what I had, but I’m ordering the Harmony set VERY soon, as lace has *PERHAPS* eclipsed socks in my knitting passions.  There were no problems with the sharp metal points only because Hacho is such a tightly spun, sproingy merino.  Had I been using something like the alpaca silk mentioned above, I’m quite certain there would have been problems.  (And Bryspun, why must you make such weird [read: awful] circs?  I don’t like that flat join you and Susan Bates Quickslivers use, but I love nothing better than Bryspun straights…)  I’ve already commented on this, but a pattern that is well-publicized as perfect for lace beginners should have said in bold print somewhere that the shawl was coming together from the neck down.  I would have thought I was just a dolt, but I know Jeanne is no slouch, and she had similar problems with another shawl, her first neck down…  As for the yarn, while I love the colors, there are so many soft and wonderful merinos out there, so I’ll only come back to Hacho again if the colorway is the only one that will do.  It was just a bit rough for me after Malabrigo and the alpaca silk, plus the skeins are a little short at 137 yards.

Next we have the zippy quick Dog’s Paw Lace Scarf.  Ravelry says the pattern is available HERE, but it’s not there at the moment.  Nice little garter stitch lace here.  I went out on a limb and changed things up on this one.  The pattern calls for a mohair blend laceweight, but I wanted something a little bigger and bulkier for the nameless owner to be. (Note to those thinking I’m knitting for them - don’t be too sure of yourself.  My intent is to surprise and delight you, even though you MAY see your gift on the blog first.)  I used #10.5 bamboo straights and Bernat’s Soy blend yarn.  Sadly, it doesn’t block worth a hoot, and it specifically says no iron, so I’m at a loss for shaping those yarnovers into perfect paw prints.  I did like the yarn; it has a bit of fuzz to it, as all soy yarns seem to, but I considered that a plus with this pattern.  I could have stopped with ten repeats and used just one skein, but I went for 12.

While this isn’t a FO, I wanted to go ahead and get a good shot while the sun was out.  It’s my first crocheted scarf, and I adore it!  It’s quick, and I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be able to make shells.  You see, my favorite baby blanket (deserving of his own post, which lives in draft form, but I digress) has a shell border.  I’ve decided that since I remember rubbing the shells as a little girl drifting off to sleep, they’re going to be the border for my Oh My blanket, which will end on the current round, to assure that I have enough yarn for five double crochets per shell all the way around said blanket.  It’s done in Bernat’s cashmere blend, and I wasn’t as impressed with this one.  It’s soft enough, but the pretty, rich brown has some very obvious flecks of white here and there.  (See above - third shell on the right section.)  No, it’s nowhere near the price of cashmere, but geeze…  I don’t know that I could gift it, it’s that obvious.  But, since it’s for me and I have so little time invested, even after adding another row in the center, it’s fine.  I chained with a J hook and the rest is done with an H hook.  We’re into the second ball, and the third might be needed to finish the shells… dunno.

Wow, that’s a lot to read!  I’ll save the post about my sweet package for tonight or tomorrow.  I have to go get ready for a meeting, but it’s at Starbucks, so if I haven’t finished the scarf, it will go with me.  If I have, I’ll drag something along to start, because Mommy to be of the Oh My is going to be at the same meeting… 

Hope you’re having a great weekend too!

Sissy’s First DO

And what is a DO, you might ask?  Destroyed Object, of course.

Can anyone identify this item?  Yep, it USED to be one of my cords for my Knitpicks Options set.  Sissy’s gotten that yarn is off-limits, but since purple *IS* her color, she couldn’t resist the cord, which WAS of course, attached to my secret WIP.  I only turned my back for literally two seconds, but that was all it took.  Just a few well-placed chomps with those tiny razors she has as teeth, and the damage was done.  Thank goodness Knitpicks sends two of every cord when you order.  I used the little stopper-doobees they send too, and was soon back to knitting on my circs, because yarn just doesn’t slide past that kind of rough spot. 

I should have some scrapbooking to show off, as Friday night was our regular, monthly gathering, but I (foolishly) listened to MJ when she said I didn’t need to bring any tools, I could just use hers.  Well, turns out that in her holiday preparations, she “hid” a few of them from herself.  My sister stayed home to see her hubby who had been working out of town all week, and as friendly as I am with the rest of the group, I just can’t grab anyone else’s tools and make myself at home.   (Am I weird like that?  I also don’t like to share, except with my mother inlaw and my sister.  Shame on me.) 

Luckily, the Knight had gone to town and grabbed a pizza, and as volunteer firehouses are wont to do, there was a good collection of friends to hang out with once I decided no scrapping would happen for me.  We laughed until we cried a couple of times (it’s fun to have friends who can laugh at their seemingly early onset “senility”), planned an end of summer beach trip which will include two beach houses and our permanent resident friends in the Outer Banks, and otherwise had a good time. 

Last night, we went to dinner with some of the above group and others, and then went to our Elks Lodge for a memorial dance for yet another departed friend.  There was lots of laughter, a couple of tender moments, and I’m betting most of a house down the road is still whispering and reaching for the asprin this morning.  I love living in a community where my friends’ parents hug and kiss ME, coming and going!  Charlottesville itself is a college town and has lost a lot of its charm for me, but there remains some old-fashioned goodness on my side of the world. 

Wow, lots of words and only one photo.  Let’s see if I can fix that. 

Ignore the desk and the bit of MJ you can see.  Sissy arrived at 7 weeks doing that.  Isn’t she adorable?!  We call that box her throne, as she loves to sit upon it when nothing else is happening, or when she’s looking around at what to get into next.   Never you fear; MJ is an equal-opportunity spoiler.  Mugsy had his share too, and then some.  He’s gotten too fat, and we’re working on that now.   

And now, I return to my knitting.  I’m very sorry I can’t share anything with you right now, but in only ten months, this has become less a blog about knitting, hasn’t it?

Looking for my Benefactor

I arrived home to find not one, not two, but FIVE packages on the porch for me. Amazing! Two were Pampered Chef supplies, so we’ll gloss right over those. Take a look at what the rest of them had inside! All of that, for me. Well… maybe not, but we’ll say it is.

The mass on the left is Carodan’s own wool. Evidently, on the last Saturday in September, I already knew I wasn’t going to make it to the Fall Festival and I purchased a little extra when I ordered by October Tofutsies Sock of the Month Club. (That’s on the right, with the pattern peeking out at the top.) The replacement Harmony needles from KnitPicks are the blur in the lower center, and that awesome book on the bottom is the big mystery.

Are you my benefactor? I’m positive I’ve never ordered from Powell’s in Oregon. Heck, the only thing I’ve ever gotten from Powell’s of Virginia is a hope chest, and I didn’t buy it. Besides, I was still using my maiden name then. Also, the ship to/bill to are to my name you all know me by, and there is a super-secret (shut up Anne) first name, by which all of my online shopping happens. The order was filled/placed on October 3rd, which was the day I left home thinking both dogs were healthy and all was right in my world, so there’s no good reason for me not to remember making such a special order. Whoever you are, THANK YOU from the bottom of my Amazon left me high and dry on this one heart. I am taking this book with me tonight to my training class, carefully tucked into my portfolio, so that while I’m supposed to be learning how to use all the neato features on the new website, I can really be learning how to knit the perfect sock. (I mean, if I can blog and knit, can’t I figure out how to do whatever on a website?!)

Here’s a close-up of *MY* Tofutsies. October is my favorite month, green, a favorite color, so… MINE! A great apple green with dashes of black, white, and maybe some grey too. Have I mentioned lately how much I love this yarn?!

I would also be remiss if I didn’t blow kisses to Caroline or whomever re-addressed my package and still got it to me in a timely fashion, all while either preparing for or being at Stitches East. They didn’t even charge me an idiot fee or the additional shipping I’m sure they had to pay. Now THAT is customer service. Thanks, Carodan!

Now, knitting has been happening, but you know we can’t talk about what you can’t see, because then Anne begins going gangsta’ on our friends, trying to get them to tell her about her surprise. Like she really wants to ruin it. Silly girl…

So, I decided I wanted to finish my first pair of Tofutsies. I cast on (love that magic cast on!) while playing fetch with Mugsy. No need to do more than glance at the pattern and go, much less look at my notes or the first socks, right? Erm, uh…

As you can see, it *DOES* make a difference whether one casts on 14 stitches on EACH needle or TOTAL stitches. Not only is the sock on the left wider at the toe, it’s toe portion is actually SHORTER before the pattern begins, because, well, it’s faster to get to 36 stitches on a needle when you have seven more stitches to begin with. Sadly, it seems that the second sock is the version intended by the pattern’s designer (am I right, Deby?), but since #1 is done and I liked the fit… I’m leaning towards frogging and repeating sock #1, but I’m also wondering how I ended up with 36 stitches when I started with an odd number and increase on each end of each needle. The socks are for me, and will always be work with closed-toe shoes, so… ?? Thoughts? Opinions?

Back to Knitting Content

Quite a bit of knitting happened over the weekend. I finished my beautiful shrug Saturday, and I need to remind you that Amanda has opened an Etsy shop, so now you too can create beautiful things with her semi-solid colorways! I hope to talk the Knight into taking a shot or two of me wearing the shrug this afternoon, but it’s supposed to be about 90 degrees then, so we’ll see.

Here, it is displayed on the wrought iron chair on the deck. It stretches, oh my does it stretch! That’s a good thing, because I’m not a waif. Still, I think it looks great on too. It’s warm though. Very warm. When the temperature drops later this week, I will appreciate that.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed knitting with the NH Knitting Mama’s yarn. Follow the above link to her Etsy shop and get some of your own; you won’t be sorry. The pattern was by Dream in Color, and I used #9 KnitPick Options, with a 32″ cord. I think a 24″ cord would do, but evidently, I don’t have one. I used the metal tips here, as I don’t have any tips in the Harmony Options yet, save the flawed #10.5s, which are being replaced as we speak/type/read. I am now eager to tackle more lace and “real” fitted knits.

I also snagged some great stitch markers for a pal, and some custom-made earrings for a Christmas gift (see?! I’ve started shopping!), and sweet Anita also included a notepad, which I adore. (We happen to share a last name; how cool is that?!) You can secure your own Yarndemon creations here.

Aren’t these guys darling?! (Squint through one eye. Maybe then the photo quality won’t be such a hindrance.) In case your imagination is weak, they’re little Scotties, which will be happy earrings for someone in a couple of months.

Of course, there are other friends on Etsy too. Mary is working on some row counters for me, and anyone else with similar desires, and Jessi is working on something very special too. It’s even better than having a personal shopper; I’ll never settle for a yarn or stitch markers that aren’t exactly what I want again. (And they’d do the same for you. Really.)