Camp much?

Somehow, I missed the bus to Camp Loopy.  

It’s all good though, because any of you who know me in real life know that I don’t camp.

It’s funny… as a Girl Scout and into my late teens, I loved to tent camp and even backpacked and slept under the stars – seriously.  However, with the back problems and my post-career firefighter personality, I joke that my idea of camping is a hotel that doesn’t have room service.  (I don’t laugh when I say though, in case you’re wondering.)

At least Sheri has a hotel for those of us… like me.  I’m still not prissy; I mean, I walk a few miles down a country road with ticks, snakes… all kinds of flora and fauna, every single day of my life now that Sissy demands it.  (She only has one eye, remember?  Because believe me, the Knight will remind me if I point out it’s raining, I have a headache, it’s almost dark, etc.)

Are you doing Camp Loopy?  The very first project is a little off-putting for me, because again, those of you who know me best know I don’t like anything that falls into the categories of stranded knitting, colorwork, etc.  If you are, what pattern are you doing?  Is it simple enough I could do it and enjoy it?  What yarn are you using?

And for those of you who missed the first bus to camp and thus, missed Camp Store Week, Sheri is allowing for loopy-holes so we can still participate.

Blue Stink Bug

I had to have this yarn.  I mean, what a name!!

Blue Stink Bug.  Dontcha’ love it?!  Not a clue what I’m going to do with it, other than try to keep this cashmere blend off Gretchen’s radar…

That’s Skacel’s special Ovarian Cancer Sock Kit.  I’m not sure where all it is available, but that link will take you to The Loopy Ewe, where they are also donating THEIR proceeds from the sale of this kit to research.  I need to cast on for this soon and decide whether I want another kit or not.  The first pair will be going to an ovarian cancer survivor…  (The link also takes you to a better photo of the kit.)

What’s ahead for your weekend?  I’ve already mentioned my plans…  Really, I just want an afternoon nap.  I do know what I’m wearing tonight (gotta’ love a little black dress or three; one is always at the ready!), and I have a gift for the shower.  I do need to hit PetsMart or someplace and nab a cute PANK dress and whatever else jumps out at me.

Happy Friday!

Wild Pear Gem

An afternoon with no rain, Flickr playing well with others, and some mail that piled up makes for a yarn-crawlish post.   Grab a cuppa’ (it’s chilly here), your favorite snack, and settle in!

We’ll start with the long-neglected last Loopy Sock Club package that arrived a couple of weeks ago.  This is the last of this season’s sock club, but it’s also my last after two years in the club.  To the best of my recollection, I’ve not knitted with the first yarn from ANY of the packages, so there’s little point in putting my name in for the lottery for next year.  I’ve gifted some of the yarn, sold one offering, and I really do like some of it, but…

The yarn is a rich color that reminds me of the fur-girls.  It’s Numa Numa’s The Usual in Red Bartlett Pear.   I’m thinking that eventually I will knit these socks with this yarn, but once it swims into my stash, who knows?!

Then there’s my first Creatively Dyed Sock Club kit!   This is a sneak peek at a new technique Dianne is doing.   I’m quite certain this “Wild Thing” yarn will get knitted up in that pattern, right after 2010 becomes the current year.   I’m leaving the pattern tamers right there with the yarn and the pattern too, so there will be no excuses!

Now, I know spinners like a WIP (wraps per inch) tool, but do other knitters really use them?  I definitely didn’t, not before I started spinning.  I mean…  There’s swatching and there’s a label around the yarn, right?!  Karat Stix made these little cuties.  Obviously, they were part of my Loopy kit.

Still with me?  Moving right along…  Next up, we have some beautiful Gypsyknits BFL roving in Gem-Spin that grew up to be yarn.

I wanted to make the most of this beautiful yarn, but in the end, I decided to navajo ply it because I didn’t have enough of any solid that would work with it.

I love how muted the colors are.  It reminds me of the beach, where the sky and earth and ocean seem to just slip together at some point out on the horizon…

A little larger than life, and those aren’t wrapped, but draped across the WIP tool, so it’s really about sport weight.  I’m pretty pleased with myself…  Three-ply, sport weight, with about 214 yards.  I’m thinking I’m going to do Anita‘s Mermaid scarf.

Ready for Thanksgiving, if you live in the States?   We are!  We’re going to have a not so traditional pot roast tomorrow, because that’s what the Knight wanted, and he’s cooking, so what’s not to love?  I’ll add a couple of pies – because the extras can always go to the firehouse – and we’ll have a quiet day at home.

Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating!

 

Catching Up

I’m still two posts behind from last week, so we don’t have to talk about the sock I didn’t touch over the weekend.  I just can’t put Gaia down!

Since I was one of the last to get my Loopy Ewe Sock Club kit this time, I don’t think spoiler warnings are necessary, but on the off chance you’re deeper in podunkville than I am, look away before the next photo.

There are the goodies.  Left to right, you have another great project bag, cute note cards, the pattern and more Wollmeise.

This yarn just proves my theory that if you’re generous and give freely, it comes back to you in spades.   As I petted the Wollmeise I gifted Jessi for her birthday good-bye, I did so strongly suspecting that it was about time for some to show up in the TLE sock club.   Yum-o!!!!!!

How was your weekend?  You already know about mine, so fill me in!

Frazzled Friday

This isn’t a TGIF week.  Frankly, car shopping is sucking up knitting time, whether I leave the house or not.  Remember, I must research any and all options until my eyes blur, and I cannot read and knit so well.

But before I get all bitter and cranky, look!

Better hurry before they’re gone.  I left mine in the cart for you…  The mug is really what I like best, so I’m just hoping she offers it independently later. 

We do have some fun on the radar for the weekend.   We have two birthday parties, although both required that I miss something else I’d like to do too.  That’s okay.  The “kids” celebrating are special, and we wouldn’t miss honoring them for anything.  Besides, isn’t it nice to have friends AND family you want to be with?

And while I hesitate to toot my own horn, the Heel Hugger pattern is now available as a free Ravelry download!   Thanks again to my test knitters, those who shared photos and especially to Anita for pulling it all together for me.

I’ll have another couple of FOs for you soon, but while you wait, those of you on Ravelry can go check out Jessi’s new pattern too.

So, what does your weekend hold?

Seeing Red!

WARNING!  Loopy Ewe Sock Club photos ahead.  I think it’s been long enough these aren’t spoilers, but click away if you haven’t gotten yours yet.

Not the mad kind of seeing red though. 

July Loopy Sock Club

That’s what it looked like fresh out of the box.  And yes, that’s a special RED Namaste Buddy Case!  The note says it was made just for us, the sock club, but I’m hoping it’s also a hint to the new color that Namaste is likely to release this fall.

That’s the kit.  See the yummy Sanguine Gryphon yarn?  Another “first” for my  stash    yarn collection.  Soft, ooh my goodness it is soft!  The color is rather rusty, and honestly, I’ve changed my opinion on said hue every single time I’ve glanced at it.

Did you see the precious sheep stitch marker?  Of course, that’s larger than life, depending on your monitor, but it’s so darned cute with its red feet and the lime “tongue” and um… the other end of the lime piece…

Well, since I’m running late again today, that’s all folks.  Tomorrow is dogs, so the FO report will have to happen on Friday, and just like that, the week’s over.

Whooosh!

***spoiler alert***  Loopy Ewe Sock Club kit #2 photos below!***

As a Ravelry moderator, I’ve never “whooshed” anything into another thread, but I thought it was a cute way to warn you that I’m combining several rather random topics here. 

Oh. This is for YOU. Want me to open it?

First, Gretchen is most disturbed that it has taken ten days for me to thank the S&S bassets for their goodies.  (Yes, Gretchen.  Sissy is a funny, sweet gal and appreciates her goodies, but manners are Gretchen’s forte, not hers.)   Sadie and Simon’s thoughtful mom even color-coded the gifts, but as you can see, the Diva had to inspect everything first.

There were human treats too of course, but those of you with children – no matter how many legs they have – know that once the kids get their stuff, there is much “No, let your little sister open her own gift!” and such, so the human goodies remain secrets.  (The bread was delish, of course.)

Wait!  I found the Knight’s gift online.  You HAVE to see this.  It’s just too cool, and I think I need to find some sort of shadowbox so the Knight can have it in his office at the station, but it’s relatively secure.  Thank you to the Coffee Yarn gang for yet another generous, spot-on package!

And yesterday, my Loopy Ewe Sock Club kit #2 arrived. 

(Here come the spoiler photos, so look away if you don’t want to see!)

We’ll start out slow, just in case someone does want to look away.   Nothing like spring green, eh?  They’re still using Kisses (red package), which upsets Sissy to no end.  She sees those little red pouches and just KNOWS there are mints within, which creates a small problem during the chocolate times of the year…

Here’s the bag.  The big, happy tote I pouted over in the special kit offered to those who didn’t get in the club, and at Spring Fling (I think?).  Because you know I needed another bag, right?  (No?  But this one is HUGE.  It wants to go to the beach, pronto.  It could hold at least two of the large Loopy clear project pouches  and more…)  The pen’s cute too.

Bear with me.  I’m so taken with this tote.   (Sheri, will you make one in something water resistant, with a couple of inside pockets?)  It’s too big and “toty” to be my dream bag, but it’s a perfect tote.  And the color makes me happy.  I didn’t think I liked this color, but I am really drawn to this!

I like the long straps too.  It might not be so flattering for me, but it’s very functional.  Even with a heavy coat on or a bag already over my shoulder, the longer straps slide on up.

Look at those pockets!  The pen is in a “pen” pocket.  I shoved the yarn in the front part, but it didn’t help you see the other pockets,  so I took it out.

There’s the yarn and pattern.  Isn’t it yummy?!

I think that about does it for today.  Besides, lunch is waiting!

Green Hope

Firstly, I can hardly wait to show you the goodies Ann brought me today!  (And that’s all you get until I get some photos… probably tomorrow?)

Instead, I’ll share my first Embrace the Lace kit.  I should be ashamed to admit how excited I was about this club.  It’s either my third or fourth club, depending on how you count my second year in the Loopy Ewe Sock Club, but I really got antsy waiting on this one!

WARNING!  SPOILERS AHEAD!

Got it?  If you’re in the lace club and haven’t already peeked in the Ravlery group, photos of the contents follow…

We’ll start out slowly, in case someone isn’t paying attention.  Stop NOW if you don’t want to see the contents!

Here’s a photo of the contents, all wrapped up.  There was also a GIANT, clear tote with the club’s logo on it, but I couldn’t get a decent photo of that.  It’s also the best representation of the actual color of the yarn, there in the right corner.

MJ was taken with the gift tag, but you can see there were plenty of “real” goodies in there too.  Keychain, mints, a note pad, a pretty stitch marker…

And the yarn.  Yep.  Mmmmmalabrigo lace, in a yummy green.  The pattern’s incredible too, but I’ve yet to master taking a decent photo of a pattern, plus I always wonder about the copyright issues.  Instead, if you’re on Ravelry, go HERE and scroll down to comment #58. 

That’s an enlargement of the keyring, which should serve to explain the theme behind the club.  I suppose it could be said the club will extol the virtues of lace…  

I kinda’ like green for hope, what with the connotations of spring and new life for all the budding things.  Allergens aside, I know that seeing things start to green up after the bleak, brown winter improves my mood.  I’m quite curious to see what comes next, aren’t you?

Just to entertain you, I think I’ll evaluate myself on each virtue as we go along.  (You know, because that inner Catholic kid never really shuts up?)  Hope is definitely one of my stronger virtues.  I’m not necessarily a sunny, glass half full kinda’ gal, but I do believe that without hope, we’re lost as a species, so almost as a matter of self-preservation, I try to remain hopeful. 

I promise some most of the other virtues will make for more interesting blogging.  Those two at the bottom of the oval, for example…

Don’t Look…

… if you’re a member of The Loopy Ewe Sock Club and you want to be surprised.   My box arrived on Friday, so I figure most of you should have yours, or will get it today.

Look away, if you don’t want to see…

Isn’t it lovely?  On the left, you have some sock tools, all ready to get clipped to a sock bag.  The blue “whistle” is actually a tape measure with a pen built in, and isn’t that “sock blocker” needle gauge the cutest thing you’ve EVER seen?  The yarn is Handmaiden Cabash, in a great ocean-water colorway, to go with the Under the Sea pattern.  I’m VERY excited to try this yarn with this pattern, which is a first for me.

Gaylen honored me with an award over the weekend.  Thank you, G!

There are rules of course, and for a change, I’ll attempt to follow them.

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

Since the online blogging world runs in similar circles, I’m going to try to pick people/blogs not already nominated.

1. Anita – always supportive and quick to make me laugh, especially at myself.
2. Kathy – we’re almost always of the same mind, and who doesn’t love Mr. Bettis?
3. Nichole – what’s a sisterhood list without my wondertwin?
4. Natalie – a happy, busy newlywed who finds time for her fiber arts and continues to inspire me.
5. Ann – because local friends really are priceless.
6. Grace – never a more generous knitter has lived.
7. Stacey – can’t you just hear her sunny disposition in her posts?
8. Amy – another thoughtful soul, who does more just by going to work each day than many!
9. Barbara – for very personal reasons, but the closer we get, the better person I become.
10. Ruth – another woman whose friendship makes me a better person.
11. Monica – another upbeat, cheerful, helpful woman!
12. Nancy – always understands where I’m coming from, even if I think no one else could possibly get it!

(Look!  I did more than the required amount.  Write that down for the history books…)

Thank you, ladies.  Your friendships keep me going!

Sixth day of Christmas

I actually got gifts yesterday.  No photos, but the Knight had ordered a couple of accessories for my new camera – screen protectors and a set of magnifiers for the lens. 

Anyhoo, today’s the day to take the knitting blog back to knitting.  Novel concept, no? 

Meet Luxury Tudor Grace. 

Pattern:  Tudor Grace    Another Anne Hanson, aka: Knitspot pattern.  I have to say that aside from my friends, she’s my favorite designer.  Granted, it’s not easy lace knitting, and I don’t recommend her for a beginning lace knitter, because she rarely has a “resting” row, meaning that the “wrong side” required counting and a chart too; there’s no “WS – purl” or “WS – knit all rows” or anything of the sort.  Still, her patterns are well-written, so if you have your heart set on one, go for it!

You’ll note I didn’t block mine as strenuously as the sample.   Some of that was laziness, but Anita also pointed out that it’s a scarf, and by its very nature, it will get scrunched and crumpled.  It’s still plenty pretty, and the recipient was quite happy it wasn’t a long, bulky scarf.

Yarn:  Be still my heart.  Gretchen and I are in love with Creatively Dyed’s Luxury.    I can’t tell you which colorway this is, because I bought it at local sheep & wool festival, and the color tag didn’t make it home with me, but I can tell you I lurvers this yarn.  Gretchen does too, but she never chewed on anything more than the cast-on tail, thankfully.  It’s a cashmere blend, and you just need to get your own to stroke and snort.

Needles:  KA Bamboo straights, size US #3.  I used to like these needles a LOT, and they served this yarn well, but if you read my blog with any regularity, you know I’ve fallen for Bryspun’s rosewood straights now.  (Gretchen has learned they are NOT teething sticks, thanks much.) 

Verdict:  I’ve already cast on with the leftover yarn for Ms. Hanson’s Spiralucious, for me, me, ME!  It will likely cause flyaway hair, but who cares?!  I certainly wouldn’t mind doing another of the Tudor Grace scarves someday either.   It was a quick, fun knit.  I also wouldn’t mind owning all of her patterns.  I think I have about five, between cowls, scarves, socks and shawls.

The next post will be 2008 in review…