Yarn Clubs are fun

I have been getting shipments from the Yarn clubs I have joined. It's like Christmas when they come.

From the Rubber Ducky Yarn Club, I got pima petite in lilac. It's such a pretty color.

From the Intentions Yarn Club, I got Family. It's 200 yards of wool. Feels so soft!

From the Sundara Sock Club, I got 3 skeins. From left to right: Bronzed Sienna, Basil over Buttercup, and Ember over Flame. I love Sundara Sock yarn.

From the Loopy Ewe sock club, I got Sanguine Gryphon Bugga in the colorway Rusty Willow Sawfly. Cool accessories too! Not pictured is also a Loopy Ewe stitch marker.

I finished one Trekking sock and cast on for the second sock. Hopefully, I will finish this pair by next week and then I plan on casting on with Sweet Georgia sock yarn. I can't wait to try it.

Knitting Like Crazy

I am really knitting like crazy and actually finishing projects!

Here are my Sundara socks in prickly pear that I completed earlier. I loved the color.

Then, I finally completed my Malabrigo socks. I started these in December using two cable needles (two socks on two needles). I am not really fond of this method as it seems to take so long to complete a pair of socks. I like doing one at a time. At least I finish one sock and then it gives me the incentive to finish the other sock. Cable needles are nice, but I still like the double pointed needles. The color of these socks is Tiziano Red and I used size 1 1/2 needles.

I also completed the July KAL for my dishcloth group. The pattern is called Beach Umbrella by Andi Worthy. I used size 7 needles with Peaches and Creme in deep purple.

Then I started another pair of socks using Zitron Trekking XXL in color 335. It's like a denim color. I am using the Signature Double pointed needles in size 2. As you can see, I am almost finished with one sock. I will probably complete the one sock this week.

I finally finished the front of my Central Park Hoodie and started on the sleeve. I am working slowly on the girasole. It's not that I don't like it, but I have been on a sock knitting kick. I also started another sock, but I will tell you about that another time.

Work Break means more time to knit

I finally finished a project (even though it was a small one). I finished the Mid June KAL from my Dishcloth KAL. It's called Joanne's Washcloth by Michelle Miller . I used size 6 needles with Peaches and Creme yarn in faded glory. I really liked this colorway and will probably buy a cone of it when I place my next order with Peaches and Creme. The pattern was really nice to work, but next time I think I will change it to make the pattern more symetrical.

I am almost finished with my Sundara sock in Prickly Pear. I just have to finish the toe, but here is a picture that I took earlier.

I really like the yarn. I need to finish these and get back to my Malabrigo socks because two of my other knitter friends and I are going to knit the croc socks by Monica Knits. We are going to do this at the same time to help each other. We are also each working on the Girasole by Jared Flood.

I was very happy to be able to purchase another knitting bag from Green Mountain Bags. This is called the Madison Bag, which is also called a sweater bag (it's large enough to put a sweater in it). I love the pattern because it's different from anything I ever had before.

I also purchased some more yarn (like I really need it), but I couldn't resist. I got Plymouth Montagna yarn (2 skeins) for a scarf

and Fortissima sock yarn that stripes in red, white and blue (now how could I turn that down with the Fourth of July around the corner).

Plus, I couldn't turn down buying more Touch Me yarn from Jimmy Beans wool since it was on sale for an unbeatable price. I got 6 skeins of dark taupe and cream. Time to make another scarf.

I will have lots more time to knit since I have to take 8 weeks off from work. So, I don't go back until after Labor Day. I am so glad for the break.

I Love to Read Books

I have been reading a lot and I have been enjoying it very much.

What I Did For Love - Susan Elizabeth Philips

The 8th Confession - James Patterson

Mr. & Mrs. Anonymous - Fern Michaels

Big Cherry Holler - Adriana Trigiani - Great book from the series Big Stone Gap

First Comes Marriage - Debbie Macomber

Wanted: Perfect Partner - Debbie Macomber

Vision in White - Nora Roberts - Great story, can't wait for the sequel

The Other Side and Back - Silvia Browne

All Pets Go to Heaven - Silvia Browne

Bulls Island - Dorothea Benton Frank - I love all of her books

The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch

Accident - Danielle Steel

Summer on Blossom Street - Debbie Macomber

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See

Illusions - Janet Dailey

Eucalyptus - Murray Bail

Dropped Dead Stitch - Maggie Sefton

Lorelei's Guiding Light - Lorelei Hills

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind - Ann B. Ross - I read this in a day and got more books in the series

Look Again - Lisa Scottoline

The Rest of Her Life - Laura Moriarty

I love to read books, especially in the summer.

Weather has got me down.

The weather sure is getting me down. There is totally too much rain going on here. Today, we are not having rain and currently the sun is shining, but it comes and goes. I guess I shouldn't complain because it will probably get real hot and I'll be complaining about that.

I have been knitting up a storm. I got through Chart C of my girasole. I really am enjoying this pattern. I also have been knitting on my Sundara sock and hope to finish up one sock today.

I have a dishcloth on the needles from my Yahoo KAL group, but I think there is an error in the pattern, so I haven't finished it yet until I find out for sure. This is getting to be a common occurance with these KALs.

I ordered more sock yarn from Sweet Georgia. I just love her colors. From left to right the colors are Boyesenberry, Saltwater, and Savory. I just need to get some socks finished so I can try one of these colorways.

I also got some Mama Llama Original sock yarn from the Color Coop club.

I love these project bags from KIP bags by ruddawg on etsy. Right now she doesn't have any bags, but keep checking because it's worth it. The red bag has a divider inside that is great for two separate balls of yarn to use for two socks on two circular needles. The bags also have pockets inside to put needles and other knitting gadgets. She did a really nice job on these.

I also got a nostepinne from A Piece of Vermont.

Well, guess I'll go knit.....or maybe read.

Milestones and Annie Modesitt

Can you believe that I forgot my anniversaries?

On May 28th, it was my three year anniversary for writing this blog. I can't believe I've been at this for three years now.

On June 12th, it was my 5th year anniversary for going to knitting classes. I started out at Kraemer Yarns and followed my teacher to The Knitter's Edge. I've come a long way since that Saturday in June.

In May, I was fortunate to meet Annie Modesitt at Mountain Knits and Pearls in East Stroudsburg. She taught a combination knitting class there. What fun! She also taught us the grandma's increase and knitting without a cable needle. I enjoyed meeting her and learning new techniques.

Here Comes the Sun!

What a wonderful day. I got to go to knitting and see all of my friends and it finally turned out to be a nice sunny day. We have had so many dreary and rainy days that it didn't feel as if summer would ever get here. I think we may be seeing more of the sun now. Next I will be complaining about the hot weather.

I started my Girasole. I am using size 10 needles with Crystal Palace Eco Alpaca in natural. What lovely yarn. This is my first pattern knitting from a chart and it hasn't been too bad. I am making the blanket, but it can also be made as a shawl. This is a wonderful pattern and not a difficult knit. I started Chart B. Looking forward to seeing it progress.

I haven't been knitting on my Leaf Lace Scarf by Jane Russell lately, but here is a nice picture. I am using Ella Rae merino yarn in color 103 with a size 3 needle. I really like the Ella Rae yarn and the pattern is an easy lace pattern.

I have also slowed down on my Sundara sock, but at least I am at the heel. The yarn is really nice. The color is Prickly Pear and I'm using size 1 1/2 needles. I started out with size 2's, but frogged and went to the smaller size.

I really need to have blinder's on my eyes when I am at knitting. I saw a skein of Trekking XXL in a denim blue. I really don't need to buy any sock yarn, but I couldn't pass this one up. Just what I need - another project.

Oh, Oh, a new yarn shop opened in the area today. I must go visit. It's called Conversational Threads and I know that I won't get out of that store without buying something.