Socks and Sock Club Yarn

Well, I really got my sock knitting mojo back. I finished another pair of socks. I am calling them Circus socks because they are so colorful. I used Meilenweit Multieffekt yarn in color 3123 with a size 2 needle and a basic sock pattern. I really like this sock yarn and I'm sad that they discontinued it; however, when I was sifting through my stash, I found more of it in the same colorway and another colorway that I used before. I'm so glad I bought extra.

I enjoyed knitting these socks with the Signature double pointed needles. I cannot say enough good things about these needles. I even bought more sizes. They are wonderful and make knitting fly!

I am so back to sock knitting that I picked out several skeins of sock yarn from my stash that I wanted to knit up next. I haven't tried Sundara sock yarn yet, so I cast on for a pair of basic socks using size 2 needles in the prickly pear colorway. I like the color and the yarn is wonderful to work with. I am glad that I have more of Sundara's yarn.

I really need to finish my malabrigo socks, but they are on two circular needles. I am about ready to do the heel so I don't have much to finish after that.

It was like Christmas this week. I got two sock club shipments. The first was from the Loopy Ewe. It was a wonderful package. I got a tote bag, pen, Dye Dreams Luster Sox in the Shades of Emerald Colorway and a sock pattern.

I also got my May shipment from the Color Co-op Sock club by the Unique sheep. I recieved a skein of The Sanguine Gryphon Little Traveler sock yarn in the Goa colorway and a sock keeper. I love the Sanguine Gryphon's sock yarn.

It's been a lousy weekend. We had a lot of rain late yesterday and today is dreary and cool. I hope next weekend is better. But, I guess this weather makes it a good weekend to knit.

Why won't some knitter's share?

I finally finished my first sock of 2009. I was beginning to think that I lost the desire to knit socks. I had started these on double pointed needles and I believe that even though I don't mind knitting socks on 2 circular needles, I like double pointed needles better. It takes too long to get the satisfaction of a finished sock when you knit two together. I start to lose interest in knitting them. Yes, I know some people have trouble with the second sock syndrome when knitting one sock at a time on double pointed needles, but I get more excited to knit the second sock because one sock is finished and I only have to knit one more. The second sock seems to knit up faster for me. I won't give up the circulars completely, but I love my double pointed needles the best.

These are a basic sock pattern using Yarn Chef's Bouillabaisse yarn in Moldy Jack O Lantern's colorway with size 1 1/2 needles. I really like the stripping on these socks.

I have a pair of Malabrigo socks on circular needles. I am close to turning the heel, so I really need to finish those up, but I couldn't resist starting another pair on double pointed needles using the Signature double points. These are really nice needles. I am using size 2 needles with Meilenweit Multieffekt yarn in color 3123 using a basic sock pattern. I like the yarn. My Easter socks were also the same yarn but a different colorway. Check the striping on these socks.

I finished another dishcloth from the Monthly Dishcloth Group KAL. The pattern is Daisy by Lindy and I used size 6 needles (Signature) with Peaches and Creme in Lemon. This was a cute pattern.

Now I have to get on my soap box. Knitters are great people - most of the time. I say most of the time, because I have run into knitter's who don't like to share what yarn they used or where they got a pattern. I have a huge stash and many patterns, but if I use a particular yarn or a pattern I know what kind of yarn I used and what the pattern was. Here are some examples where I found where knitter's don't like to share.

1. I saw a really neat pair of socks online and had to have the yarn. I contacted the person who posted the picture and she thought the sock yarn was Mountain Colors. I searched through Mountain colors yarn and bought what I thought was the yarn (it's in my stash). A couple of years later, I was looking through pictures and patterns I had printed out and found the sock I loved so much. Guess what? It wasn't Mountain colors. When I saw the picture again, I realized that it was Socks That Rock Fire on the Mountain and I had bought the yarn and made socks out of it. Now, just remember that I knit these socks over two years ago and I didn't have to look up the name of the color or who made the yarn.

2. I was at knitting class one day and a knitter was looking at yarn. She was wearing a short shawlette and we all complimented her on how nice it was. We asked her what the pattern was and she didn't know. I can't believe she didn't know. When you knit something, it's hard not to remember what pattern you used. You may not remember where you got the pattern, but you remember the pattern (especially if you liked it and wore the finished product).

3. At knitting class, I saw a small purse on the counter. It looked like a pattern I saw online. A friend and I were looking at it and the teacher who was having a class on this purse told us that she made the purse and had a class for it. She told us it was called the bubble bag and it was in a Knitter's magazine. I searched Ravelry, the Internet and Knitters for the pattern and could not find anything that looked like the bag. Then, I got smart and remembered who I thought designed the pattern. It is called the dumpling bag and the pattern was published in Interweave Knits. I figure that the teacher did not want anyone to know where to get the pattern, so you had to sign up for her class. That is terrible! She purposely renamed the pattern and threw us off on what magazine the pattern was published in.

I am not advocating giving out patterns for free, but I can't understand why some knitter's can't let you know the name of a pattern or yarn so you can buy it. Even if someone knits the same pattern, it could look different because someone else knit it and used a different yarn. What happened to sharing? If someone asks me about a pattern or yarn, I feel it's a compliment to me because they liked what I was knitting. Why won't some knitter's share?

Learning new things

I am knitting more. I finished a dishcloth from a KAL. The pattern is called April Showers by Deborah Tilley. This was a nice pattern to knit. I used size 6 needles and Peaches and Creme in faded denim. I also tried a provisional cast-on with a crochet hook for this dishcloth. I am not ripping out the cast on, but it is a nice cast on as it looks the same as the bind off. So I learned something new. It's good to learn new things.

I also started working on my Yarn chef sock. I'm almost finished with the first sock. I like how it is patterning.

I have also gotten back to reading. I haven't been reading as much as I should since I have been working. I finished the following books:

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovitch - I always like her books

There's no place like here by Cecilia Ahern - This was a really different storyline. I enjoyed it very much.

Too Fat to Fish by Artie Lang

Death by Cashmire by Sally Goldenbaum

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin - I love her books

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani - Great read and I must get the other books in the series.

Well, I only have to work two more days this week and then I'm done with taxes until November. I will probably teach a little, but it will be nice to have off.

Nothing like buying yarn to make you feel good

I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday. This week really flew. I got a lot of cleaning done this week, but still have more to do. Guess, I will save it for next week.

I have had ups and downs with how I have been feeling this week. I finally got fed up last night and got out my netti pot. I don't know why I didn't do that sooner. I really slept the best in a long while. I usually get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, but because I must sleep with my mouth open, I get thirsty, so I have to get something to drink. Well, that starts the vicious circle. I sleep two hours, get up to go to the bathroom, get something to drink and then it happens again. Last night I got up once to go to the bathroom, but didn't have to get something to drink. I felt really good today too. So, the netti pot wins the award.

I have been treating myself to some yarn. I just had to have a Chevron Love Mitten Kit from Knitterly Things. It was hard to choose a color, but I chose Brilliantly Bold.

I must really like kits because I found this Mobius caplet kit at The Knitter's Edge and just love the pattern. So, I had to have the purple kit called Violets are Blue.

I also bought another skein of Ella Rae's lace merino. The color is 102.

And, last but not least, I got my Rubber Ducky April Club shipment. What a great colorway for spring. It's good I took a picture of the shipment because the Jelly Bellys are gone.

Time to Knit, Read and Clean

What a week it was. I can't believe that tax season is over. Monday and Tuesday were steady days and I was freaking out that I wouldn't get 2 returns completed in time. I had to take myself off the schedule to make sure that I had time to work on them. Luckily, it all came together and I got finished. Tuesday, I started to get a sore throat and Wednesday I had either a cold or allergies because all I did was sleep all day and blow my nose. I was glad I took off on Wednesday. Thursday, I had to go back in and work for my District Manager, but I was much better. I still have 4 more days to work, but it won't be as bad. Once May gets here I am finished until December (unless I teach and I'm still debating that).

I did get to go to my knitting class on Friday, but by the time I left I was feeling the effects of sinus pressure. I got home and slept and didn't go to class on Saturday. I figured that I better take it easy and recuperate so I don't get worse or infect anyone else.

I have been working on projects. I am getting close to finishing one front panel of my Central Park Hoodie.

I completed the April KAL called Illusion Egg Hunt by Debbie Tilley. It is a cute cloth but had many errors, which is quite frustrating. I used Size 7 needles and Peaches and Creme in white and emerald green.

I also started a Fiddlehead Scarf using Ella Rae's Lace Merino in color 103.

I love the yarn. I am using size 3 needles. I am trying out the Kollage Square needles that I bought at the Knitter's Edge. They are nice to use and the cable is great, but the join isn't that great. I also bought a set of 5 double pointed (size 2) needles from Signature Needles. They have gotten great reviews, so I thought I would try them out. I need to finish two pairs of socks before I try these out though.

The last two days we have had great weather. We were able to clean off our screened in porch and get out some furniture. We sat outside early yesterday evening and it was perfect. Today, it was a little cool, so we didn't stay out long. At least we are ready to go whenever we have a warm day.

I have off the next two days, so I will be cleaning (my house really needs it), reading and knitting. Maybe I'll do some cooking too. Well, I'm off to start another Dishcloth KAL. I am behind and have to catch up.

Happy Easter

Had a wonderful weekend and a great Easter. I just have to get through the next couple of days and my life will change. Counting the days until April 15th and it can't come soon enough.

I have been knitting, but will post pictures later. I finished a dishcloth and I have been working on my Central Park Hoodie.

I will be so happy to be free again.

Planning the Next Projects

I had a nice week. It went fast and I got to go to my knitting class on Friday and Saturday. I worked on my Central Park Hoodie. I am just about finished with the back, but keep messing up the last six rows. I was also able to start knitting again on my Malabrigo sock and also knit on my prayer shawl. I am close to finishing the second skein of yarn and will start the third and last one. The end is in sight.

I did buy the skein of Ella Rae Lace Merino Yarn that I wanted. Maybe this week I will start knitting the Fiddlehead scarf. The yarn is a pretty green and blue.

One of the knitter's in my group was working on a prayer shawl using Plymouth's Encore Boucle Yarn in a blue/green colorway. I just loved it, so I bought 6 skeins. After I finish my current prayer shawl. I will start one with this yarn.

I also stopped in at Michael's on Saturday and bought 6 skeins of Vanna's Choice yarn in dusty green to make a scarf.

I think I'm in project overload.

I did complete the March Mid-Month KAL for my dishcloth group. It's called the Windmill Dishcloth by Sewfunky. I used Peaches n Creme in Aqua Mist ombre with a size 6 needle. This was a fun dishcloth to knit.

Tax season is getting close to the end. I will feel better when I get three tax returns completed that are complex. Hopefully, I can get two of them finished this week. Only 18 more days to go!

I love Spring

I love Spring and I love daylight savings time. It's so nice to have it stay lighter longer and even though the temperature could be warmer, at least it's not snowing or freezing out. March is almost over and that means April is around the corner. Soon we will be able to get out our porch furniture and sit outside. I can't wait!

I think I am getting my knitting mojo back. With the new yarn shop opening and tax season almost ending, I will have more time to knit and get some of my projects finished as well as start new projects. I have been pretty good about buying new yarn. Most of what I have been getting is from yarn or sock clubs.

I finally got my first shipment from the Lime and Violet Intentions Clubs. I am pleased with the yarn and the colorway. It's a superwash merino with bamboo in a green and purple colorway.

I also bought a skein of the Berocco Sox metallic yarn in color 1375. Of course I had to get this from The Knitter's Edge.

They also carry Ella Rae lace merino. I really want to make something with that yarn and did find a project. It's the Fiddlehead scarf from Knitspot. I got the pattern so now when I go to class this week, I will pick out a skein of yarn. It takes 350 yards of yarn and I believe that the ella rae lace merino has more than 400 yards on the skein. I can't wait to start it, but this gives me the incentive to work on other projects I need to finish. And, I do want to do another Vintage Velvet scarf using the Touch me yarn.

I do love the Ella Rae books. I saw one on the Internet and had it on my list of things to purchase and was jumping up and down when I found it at The Knitter's Edge. One book is afghans and the other has great sweater patterns. I already have a sweater picked out, but need to finish my Central Park Hoodie first.

Well, I'm off to do some knitting.

The Knitters Edge

The Knitters Edge Yarn shop in Bethlehem is now open for business. It was a great day at knitting class today to see knitters come in to shop and check out the new yarn store. It was neat watching the faces of people as they walked through the door.

Here are some pictures:

The front of the shop

The wonderful bow window

Entrance from the Parking Lot

Front of the store

What you see when you walk in the door - Bins of yarn

Classroom area - There are three classrooms

A cozy place to sit and knit

My Saturday Knitting class

Eileen, Cindy and Joanne

I didn't want to leave. It's a great place to shop and knit. Location is at 15th Avenue and Broad Street (1601 W. Broad Street) and phone number is 610-419-9276. They are closed on Sunday and Monday.

Vintage Velvet Scarf

Ah, I finished it. I finished the Vintage Velvet Scarf in Touch Me Yarn on size 8 needles. The color is navy. I've knitted another scarf using Touch Me yarn and felted it, but it's been so long that I was nervous doing it again. I put it in the washer and then the dryer. I had to keep putting it in the dryer because it was too wet. I finally know what damp means. It turned out well, but I didn't get it dry in time to give it to my knitting friend at class on Saturday. At least there is still time to turn it in next week. I am showing two pictures. One before felting and one after.

Pre felting it looks like this:

After felting it looks like this:

It is so soft. I could pet it all day.

Now that I finished this project, I can go back to knitting the Central Park Hoodie, a prayer shawl and socks!

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!