A great Knitting Week

What a week. We started with a snowstorm on Monday and ended with 60 + degrees today. It was an overcast day. I did get some house cleaning done though and I feel better about that. My house really needs a good cleaning. Working is getting in the way.

I had a good knitting week though. I completed the March KAL. The dishcloth is called Pot of Gold by Emily Jagos. It's a cute cloth. I used Peaches and Creme in gold with size 6 needles.

I am getting closer to finishing the scarf for the Child Advocacy Auction. I really would like to be finished by Saturday to give to my knitting friend at the Baum School of Art. I am on my fifth ball of yarn and then will have one more to go. After that I will need to weave in the ends and then felt it. I can't wait to see how it looks when I'm finished.

I finally got my first shipment from the Loopy Ewe sock club. What great things came in the package. They sent Handmaiden Casbah yarn in Ocean Currents, with a pattern called Under the Sea designed by Sharon Hart. Also included were a few knitting trinkets: A carabiner, a metal tape measure with pen, and a sock needle measurer by Karatstix. I just love all of it.

I got my next shipment of Sundara Sock Yarn. The colorways from top to bottom are: Autumn rose, Plum and Prickly pear. They are great colors.

I went to knitting class this week at the new shop in Bethlehem, PA called The Knitters Edge. What a great shop! It won't be open for business until around March 19th, but we are able to have class there. There are three classrooms. An area by a beautiful bow window that has sofas and chairs and many many bins to fill with yarn. I did see Encore, Noro, and Debbie Bliss. She still has alot to put out. It's very open and bright. It will be a great shop and I cannot wait to go again next Saturday.

Check out Maggie May. I think she is tired after following me around all day. I think it's cute that she has her favorite ball by her side and check out her tongue (you know she is content when it's sticking out).

Waiting for Snow

I can't believe it's Sunday again. Last week flew by. I had off on Friday, which was really nice. It was my last knitting class at Kraemer Yarns. Next Saturday, I will start at the new yarn shop in Bethlehem, PA. I can't wait to check it out. They are not open yet, so I don't know how much yarn will be on the shelves, but it will be nice to see where it is and get in the groove of the new shop.

I did purchase more Tatamy Tweed worsted yarn at Kraemer's. I got the Cherry color to make another sweater. Since I really liked this yarn I wanted to take advantage of my discount. They didn't have enough on the shelf, but they had more in the back. I was really excited to get it.

I finished up another dishcloth. This was from Rachel's Knitting Room monthly KAL called X's and O's by Rachel van Schie. It's a really pretty pattern and I enjoyed knitting it. I used size 5 needles with Sugar and Cream yarn in rose pink.

It's suppose to snow tomorrow. I am sitting here waiting for it to start. If we get what they say, it looks as if I will be staying home tomorrow. That doesn't upset me! However, you never know if they will get it wrong.

I have been knitting on my Touch Me scarf. I really need to get this completed for the auction, so I have been knitting on it whenever I have time. I am close to finishing up the third ball of yarn. I will be halfway done with it. Can't wait to see it finished.

Cold Dreary Sunday

What a yucky Sunday it is. We had a little bit of snow, but it's a dreary cold day outside. I'm beginning to dislike Sunday's because I don't like going to work on Monday's. I'd rather have the week start on a Tuesday. I guess it's because I would be home on a Monday when everyone else would be going to work. Well, only 8 more Monday's to go and I will have off on a Monday.

This week did fly by. I finished the Mid Month KAL for my dishcloth group. The pattern is called Circle cloth by Hakucho. I really liked this pattern. It is so different. You can knit it in one color or in two colors. I used Fiesta in Peaches n Creme with size 6 needles. The color reminds me of warmer weather.

I worked on the Vintage scarf this week and the Central Park hoodie sweater.

I found out this week that a new yarn shop is opening up in Bethlehem called The Knitters Edge. Our knitting teacher is moving over to that shop, so this Friday will be my last at Kraemers and after that I will be going to the new shop in Bethlehem. I will miss Kraemer's but I am really looking forward to the new shop. Kraemer's hardly has a good selection of different yarns anymore and the new shop will probably carry alot of Plymouth yarns as well as other brands. The shop won't be open for business until the middle of March, but we will be able to have class there and scope out the different yarns (hopefully) until it opens.

I did purchase two more skeins of Twist sock yarn from Sunshine yarns. The colorways caught my eye. The top one is called Nagini and the bottom one is called Tonics.

Snow and Rubber Ducks

Well, the day started out nice and then the snow started to fall. It was a little tricky driving home, but I made it without any trouble. The snow started to turn to freezing rain. I'm glad to be home, but I hate this icky weather. We didn't get much snow, but I will be glad tomorrow when it gets above freezing and melts what stuck to the ground.

Knitting is going slowly, but I knitting. I'm enjoying working on my Vintage Scarf for the Child Advocacy Center. I need to start on another dishcloth for my dishcloth group KAL. Maybe I will cast on tonight since the KAL started on Monday. I am a little behind.

I have been reading. Not as much I would like, but these are the books I have read so far for 2009:

Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

An American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield - I enjoyed this book and read it on the Kindle

Here's the Story by Maureen McCormick - this was a surprise. I really liked this book. Maybe cause I liked the Brady bunch.

Love Rosie by Cecelia Ahern - I have to get more of her books, this one was great.

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella - I couldn't put this one down.

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil

This book was a preview copy and it was slow reading at the beginning. I believe it was because the author was British and I had to get use to the language. I am glad I stuck with it because it was a good story. It's about a woman whose husband tells her he wants a divorce and drives away to get into a car accident and dies. She takes her 2 sons and moves from London to a small seaside hometown, where she takes over her Grandmother's knitting shop. The author is writing a sequel to the story and I am looking forward to reading it.

I have been pretty good with holding back on any yarn purchases. I almost was tempted to join the Socks that Rock sock club after seeing the first package that went out, but I resisted temptation and figured that I could always buy it after they put it for sale on their website. Maybe by then I will have knitting through some of my stash.

I did get the next shipment of the Unique Sheep Rubber Ducky Club. The yarn is Pima Petite in the Berry Truffle colorway with soap to match and a cute rubber duck stitch marker.

I love Rubber Ducks! They make me think of warmer weather.

19 Unfinished Projects - Yikes!

I can't believe it's almost two weeks since I have posted. I am just not use to working anymore and it's cutting into my knitting time. I am not knitting as much as I would like to. I sat down the other day and made of list of all the things I was knitting and had not finished. I came up with 18 projects and just added another one! I have to get knitting!

I did finish the February KAL for my dishcloth group. It was a cute cloth to knit. It's called Kiss Me by Lisa Millan. I used Peaches and Creme in rose pink with size 6 needles.

I am working on a scarf for an auction for the benefit of the Child Advocacy Center. I need to get this completed before the end of March. I am using a pattern from the book Scarf style called Vintage Velvet by Lisa Daniels. The yarn is Muench Touch Me in Navy Blue and I am using size 8 needles. The yarn is really great to feel. Once I finish it, I have to felt it. It gets even nicer then. I used this yarn once before and made a small scarf. It's amazing how it comes out. Once I finish this scarf, I am definately making another for myself in this same pattern. Fortunately, I already have some yarn and won't have to buy more.

I am also working on my Central Park Hoodie. No new pictures of that yet.

I have purchased some yarn. I got some more Flat Fleet yarn. It's from their sock club. The color is great for Valentine's Day.

And, I got more sock yarn from the Loopy Ewe. Colinette Jitterbug in Bright Charcoal and Sereknity in Cowgirl. Maybe this will get me back to knitting socks. I still have two different pair to finish.

Well, I better get back to my 19 projects. Maybe I can finish one up in the next week. Uh, Oh - I have another KAL coming up in my dishcloth group this week. That will make it 20 projects. I better get knitting. Is there anyone else who has a bunch of projects in the works like me?

Dreaming of Spring

I'm so glad January is over. It's one month closer to spring and I can't wait. It means warmer weather (I am so sick of snow and ice) and it means I have more free time because I won't be working.

I have been knitting. I finished the January Mid Month KAL cloth called Cheyenna. I used size 5 needles with Peaches and Creme in the color winterberry. It was a cute cloth to knit.

I also started on the Central Park Hoodie using Kraemer yarn's Tatamy Tweed in worsted weight. The color is purple and I am in love with the yarn! It feels great knitting and I like how it's coming out. I am getting close to the armholes on the back side.

I bought more of this yarn in the Merlot colorway to make the Chic Knits Twist sweater and I plan on getting more yarn in the Cherry colorway. I may just pick up some baby colors for baby sweaters.

I loved the accessories that I got from Karatstix, so I ordered more things. I got a 2 inch guage measurer, a needle sizer, and some stitch markers. Do not hesitate to order from her and she will do custom orders, which is what she did for me.

I succombed to ordering from the Loopy Ewe because she got in the Crystal Palace Mini Mochi yarn. Everyone seems to be talking about this as it stripes like Noro but is softer than Noro yarn. You can make socks or scarves with it. I got Sereknity in Violas, Tuscan Grove in Black Cherry, Mini mochi in Voilas and Rainbow.

I haven't done much reading this month, but I am working on it. We are getting busier at work and it looks as if I may be putting more hours in doing other things temporarily. I just keep dreaming about Spring and freedom.

Go Steeler's!

2009 May be My Year

I am so excited. I entered the lottery to get into the Loopy Ewe Sock club and I got in! I am so jazzed and I'm doing the happy dance since I found out. I tried to get in last year, but sent the email to the wrong address. This year we just had to click on a button on the Loopy Ewe web site. I can't wait to get my first package, but it won't be until March.

I also won the 2008 Monthly KAL Challenge from the yahoo group. I got my winnings and boy am I ever overwhelmed with the prizes I received.

I got yarn, stitch markers, a needle roll, memo pad and a CD of dishcloth patterns from Harvest Moon Designs. How exciting!

I'm currently knitting another dishcloth, working on a prayer shawl, and I started the Central Park Hoodie. I will post pictures next time. I really need to get back to knitting socks.

I did get another order of sock yarn from Sunshine Yarns. I just couldn't resist. I got Twist sock yarn in the Dragonfly colorway and Soft sock yarn in the Blackberry colorway.

I also got my Janaury package from the Color Coop. The yarn is Miss Babs. I love the yarn and the colorway. It was taken from a picture that the members voted on. I also got a couple of goodies with the yarn.

I finally got all of my books entered in Shelfari and my knitting books entered in Ravelry. It's nice to be able to see the books I have read and the books I haven't read. I hate when I buy a book and I already have it. Next I have to get my knitting needles entered into Ravelry. I already have a spreadsheet of all of my needles, but it will be nice to have it in Ravelry too. I will never get all of my stash entered though.

Soon, I will be working more days since it's tax season. I was off the last two days and it was nice spending time with my Maggie May. She loves her football and takes it with her whereever she goes. Unfortunately, she was hoping that the Eagles would be in the Super Bowl. She was bummed out about them losing to Arizona. Maybe next year.

SNOW!

We got some snow over the weekend. It was nice because I didn't have to go anywhere and I could stay home to knit and read and feel all cozy and warm. It does look pretty, but it is cold outside now. I am looking forward to spring. The picture below is from my front porch. The bad part about the snow is that I didn't get to go to my knitting class on Saturday. I certainly hope that I can go this week.

I was finally able to finish off the January KAL in my dishcloth group. It was a nice pattern to knit. I used size 6 needles with Peaches and Creme in light blue. The pattern is called Ice Skate Dishcloth.

I also finished my first book of 2009. I read Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. It was a good read.

Some of the last yarn I ordered at the end of 2008 came in. I finally was able to buy Vesper Sock Yarn in cinnamon stick.

I also found a new indie dyer called Sunshine Yarns. I got three skeins of yarn from her and I really do like the yarn and colors. From top to bottom: Classic in Bitterroot and Shorelines and Twist in Wildflowers. I was very happy to get Wildflowers.

I have been good in that I haven't ordered any yarn from the Loopy Ewe the last two times, but I did sign up for her sock club. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that I get in this year. I should find out next week.

I signed up for Facebook and I'm really having a great time exploring the features. There is so much to learn.

Well, it's off to work tomorrow. At least I only work two days this week and teach one evening. Now, it's off to knit on one of my socks.

Reflecting back on 2008 and Planning for 2009

It's time to look back to my goals for 2008 and see what I accomplished and what I missed the mark on.

Goals I hoped to achieve in 2008:

1. Complete installing files and programs on my computer (hard drive crashed) Completed this

2. Organize closets and cabinets and purge items (or maybe a yard sale in spring). Had a yard sale, but didn't organize all closets and cabinets.

3. Organize my yarn stash better and continue to update Ravelry. Did a good job keeping Ravelry updated and did check out my yarn stash, but didn't really organize it.

4. Update my blog at least once a week. I didn't always post once a week, but I did post a total of 55 times, so I did make up for the weeks I didn't post.

5. Do some stashbusting - I really need to stop buying and use up my stash. But, I know I will be tempted and will allow it occasionally. Let's just say this didn't work.

6. Knit 24 comfortghan squares for my Yahoo Dishcloth group. Completed

7. Knit 12 socks (one for each month) if not more. I knit 21 pairs of socks this year.

8. Knit a patterned sock - I knit three patterned socks.

9. Knit a Christmas stocking or two - I couldn't find a pattern I liked

10. Knit the Ice Queen pattern on knitty.com - Nope, didn't happen.

11. Attempt two color mittens (Icelandic type) and a fingerless glove with cover. - Nope

12. Finish some UFO's - tried but did not complete

13. Read 65 books - I made this goal.

What I knit in 2008

24 Comfortghan squares

2 10x10 afghan squares

2 Caliormetry hats

34 Dishcloth/Washcloths

21 Pairs of Socks

1 Dog Leash

1 Phone Cozy (that I lost and now have to knit another one)

2 Preemie Hats

2 Ribbed Hats

UFO's

Mystery Stole

Berocco snowflake

Two pairs of socks

Sock that Rock scarf

Inside Outside scarf

Silky Tie Wrap

Shrug

Sweater

Candle flame shawl

Pair of fetching gloves

Ripple Afghan

Prayer Shawl

Habu scarf

Stuffed mittens

What I did do this year that was not on my list was: I worked more part-time hours than I had planned, discovered Shelfari and started entering all my books, lost some weight (approximately 25 pounds), learned how to knit 2 socks on 2 needles, and knit hats, which I have never done before. Plus, I think I did relax more this year and that is a good thing.

Goals for 2009

1. Organize closets and cabinets - have another yarn sale to purge items

2. Update blog at least once a week.

3. Definately do some stashbusting and buy less (much less) new yarn.

4. Knit 12 pairs of socks.

5. Knit a Christmas stocking

6. Finish some UFO's

7. Knit a Clapotis

8. Knit the Central Park Hoodie

9. Finish updating Shelfari with the books I have read and the books on my bookshelf that have not been read.

10. Lose weight and exercise.

11. Read 65 books

12. Do some charity knitting

This is a little smaller list than last year, so let's hope I can accomplish more.

I hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Well I made it! I made my goal of reading 65 books in 2008. This last month has not been good, but I made sure that I got the last couple of books read to meet my goal.

I read the following:

Foul Play by Janet Evanovitch

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs (this was good but slow reading)

Bride on the Loose by Debbie Macomber

Same Time, Next Year by Debbie Macomber

By the weekend, I plan to look back on my goals for 2008 and make list my new ones for 2009. It's good to have a goal as it gives you a little push.

I have been putting the books I read into Goodreads, but recently stumbled upon Shelfari. Shelfari has been acquired by Amazon and it is wonderful! You can even enter the books you haven't read. I buy a lot of books and sometimes get confused by what I have, so this is great for me. Plus it lets me see what I have on my bookshelf to read, so maybe I won't buy so many new books. They also have groups you can join where you might have common interests. You can find me at http://www.shelfari.com/karin_pa . You can see what books I have read (I'm still entering them) and if you join, add me as your friend.

Final Day of 2008

Today I'm sad. It's the end of 2008 and tomorrow starts 2009. I start back at work on Friday. My knitting and reading will be curtailed until April 16th. At least I can look forward to spring!

I have been knitting more now that Christmas is over. I am working on my prayer shawl. I think I may knit more of these in 2009 and donate them to a prayer shawl group that one of my knitter friends belongs to.

I have been lax in knitting socks this past month, so I picked up two socks I started in November and December. One pair is the Yarn Chef socks in Moldy Jack O Lanterns. I am currently working on the heel. For this pair, I am using double pointed needles. I really like how this is striping.

I am also working on the Malabrigo socks in Tiziano Red. This yarn is so soft. I am using two circular needles (size 1-1/2). I got past the ribbing. I really hate ribbing.

I also knit a washcloth using Unique Sheep's Pima Petite in Brillant Blue. It's a really neat cotton yarn. I used the Sheepy Washcloth pattern (designed by Sarah Wilson) that I bought from their website. I need to knit a soap sack that was included in the pattern with the balance of the yarn.

I will end the year with a few more yarn purchases. I got more Jojoland Melody Superwash from the Loopy Ewe. This is color 29. I am not sure if I want to knit socks with this or knit a scarf.

I bought a santa hat kit from Morehouse farm. This just looks too cute. Guess it will have to be for next year. They also sent me a free pattern and yarn for a mini cardi.

I love the Yarn Chef sock yarn so much, I bought two more skeins. This is her Minestrone Yarn. On top is Plum Tart and on bottom is Tussie Mussie. They are 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon.

Have a safe New Years Eve. We are going out to dinner and then coming home to spend a quiet night knitting and reading.

Merry Christmas

Whew, I made it. I got the second hat completed before Christmas. I like knitting in the round, it's different and fun to do. I like this pattern too. You can't get much easier than knit two, purl two.

Pattern came from Holiday Knits. I used a size 6 needle with Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill in pearl and green stone. I like Summit Hill. It's a nice yarn to work with.

I'm ready for Christmas. All presents are wrapped, food shopping is done. My brother and his family were here this evening and my in-laws will be here tomorrow for lunch. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

It's almost Christmas - Yikes!

Geez, Christmas is coming so fast this year. Fortunately, I am not doing much knitting for Christmas, but I still want to get some projects finished before the end of the year. I did finish the hat for my husband. I used Kraemer's Summit Hill yarn in Black and Pearl (he is an Oakland Raiders fan) with a size 6 needle. This was a fun knit and I really enjoy knitting in the round.

I couldn't stop with one hat, so now I am making another one in Green and White for my father-in-law. I should have it complete in time.

I knit two dishcloths this month. One is Grandma's Snowman using Peaches and Creme yarn in Ecru. I used size 6 needles for this cloth. It's cute, but there were quite a few problems with the pattern.

The second cloth was the final dishcloth in for the year. The pattern is the Doily Style Dishcloth. I used Peaches and Creme cotton in the Mar Di Gras colorway with size 7 double pointed needles. I really, really liked this pattern and especially the color. It was a great project to end the year. I like the color so much that I want to get a cone of it. But, I will have to wait. Shipping on just one cone is high and I really don't need any other cotton yarn. I will wait until later in 2009 to get more of this colorway. But that won't stop me from making more in another colorway.

Speaking of dishcloths, I like to knit dishcloths because they are small projects and you learn new stitches with them. I have been knitting dishcloths since 2004 when I began knitting again. I have them all over the place and have never used them. So, I dug them out and kept the ones I really liked and my husband took a lot into work to pass them out. I am saving some too for when my family comes up for Christmas. This will give you an idea of the pile that we are passing out to anyone who wants them. I don't have too many left, so I should be able to get rid of them all.

Maybe in 2009 I will have a contest and see who can come close to the number of dishcloths in the pile and give away some yarn to reduce my stash.

Of course I had to buy more yarn. I got another skein of Malabrigo sock yarn in the Lettuce colorway. I love this yarn. I am working on one sock now, but I need to take a picture. I'm just at the ribbing though, so I'll wait until I get a little further. Sock knitting has been on the back burner this month.

From Knitpicks, I got some of their Cotlin yarn to make some dishtowels. The colorways are royal plum, glacier, and key lime.

In my knitting class at Kraemer's, we are going to have a sweater project starting in January. I am going to knit the Central Park Hoodie using Kramer's Tatamy Tweed worsted yarn in the purple colorway. I am looking forward to starting this project.

I also couldn't resist buying Fannies Fingering Weight Yarn in the Arizona colorway from Kraemer's Yarn Shop.

And, the Loopy Ewe drew me in again. I bought Toe Jamz - Happy Hands Yarn in the Mr. Bojangles colorway.

Also, I got the new Creatively Dyed Calypso Yarn in Travel and Quick Step as well as Jo Jo Land Melody superwash wool in two different colorways (005 and 001). I believe that Jo Jo Land caused quite a stir at Stitches this year. You can use it for socks or scarves. I may have to make one of each.

I think that's enough for now. I need to go knit and get ready for Christmas. I am having family for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I am just about ready, but need to do some cleaning. Yuck, I hate to clean. I have better things to do than that (like knit and read).

It was a Good Week

I've had a good knitting week. I was able to finish the last two comfortghan squares I needed for my commitment of 24. I used the pattern Simple Garter Lace Square by Mary Dixon and did two using Red Heart Super Saver yarn in the Hunter Green colorway and size 8 needles.

I got them blocked and sent out to my Yahoo Group sister, who assembles the comfortghans.

I also did two premie hats for the Knit One Save One project. Kraemer Yarn participated several years ago and sent around 700 hats to them, so they are working on sending more again in January. I used the pattern on the Knit One Save One web site, but knit it in the round, so I didn't have to sew it together. This was my first hat and it was really easy.

Next, I plan to knit a hat I saw on the Purl Bee blog using Jade Sapphire silk cashmere yarn and Rowan Kid Silk Haze. I got two colorways (Tea Leaves in Jade Sapphire and Majestic in Kid Silk Haze and Pebble Beach in Jade Sapphire and Pearl in Kid Silk Haze). I can't wait to cast on. Maybe this weekend.

Jade Sapphire in Tea Leaves

Kid Silk Haze in Majestic

Jade Sapphire in Pebble Beach and Kid Silk Haze in Pearl

I got the first shipment from the Unique Sheep Rubber Ducky Club. It's so cute and the colorway is great. It's in Pima Petit cotton yarn in the frosty colorway. The soap is also called Frosty. Isn't the Santa Rubber Ducky cute? I also love the project bag that game with it. I think I'm going to love this yarn club.

Sundara Yarns also sent out the first shipment of Sock Yarn. The colorways are from left to right: Bronzed Forest, Wine, and Brown Sugar over Buttermilk.

I'm excited because I was able to buy more Sweet Georgia Superwash Sock Yarn. The colorways from top to bottom are: Cranapple, Suspense, and Lichen. I love her yarn. I'm so glad that she is back dying yarn again.

Well, off to knit. I want to knit on my scarf tonight and I started a sock using the Malabrigo sock yarn, plus I would like to cast on for the hat using the Jade Sapphire and Kid Silk Haze.