Irene is visiting us

Well, batten down the hatches.  Irene is coming.  We are ready here.  We are suppose to get rain and wind, but not as severe as New Jersey and New York.  Let’s see what happens.  I am more concerned about losing power, but we are prepared for that.

I finished the Daphne socks from the Cookie A sock club.  I used size 1 needles with a Verb for keeping warm Metamorphosis yarn in sugar jets.  This yarn has silk in it.  It is a sport weight.  I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the yarn and may just buy more skeins.

 

I did start another sock using a basic sock pattern.  After three pairs of cookiea sock’s, I think I need a break.

I also completed the August Midmonth KAL from my Monthly Dishcloth group.  The pattern is Summer Daze by Alli Barrett.  I used Peaches and Crème yarn in the light grape color with size 6 needles.

I also started a frog puppet.  I thought I would make it for my great nephew.  Let’s see how this knit goes.

Yard Sale

We had a three family yard sale today and I am exhausted.  I did pretty well and most of the stuff I had left over, I took to a local church for their sale.  It was wonderful to get rid of that stuff.

I was worried about the weather.  I was afraid it would rain.  The day started off foggy, but the sun came out and it turned hot.  So glad that is over with.

I did finish one of the Cookiea’s Daphne socks from the sock club.  The yarn is Metamorphosis from a verb for keeping warm.  This is a sport weight yarn and has silk in it.  I wasn’t sure how I would like knitting with it, but it’s not bad and I like how the pattern is turning out.  The color is Sugar Jets and I used a size 1 needle.

Still working on the Sugared Violets shawl, but I did buy more yarn.

I purchased some Plucky Knitter single ply merino in the color Barndoor.

One of my knitting friends bought some  of Sanguine Gryphon’s Mithral lace weight yarn and I loved what she knit.  So, I had to buy some for myself.  I got a skein of The Reader and Paesaggio a Bordighera.

I love Madelinetosh’s Pashmina yarn, so I bought 3 skeins to make the Sothia shawl.  I got 2 skeins of Cloak and 1 skein of Antique Lace.

I’m not knitting the Stephen West Mystery shawl after all.  I waited to see some of the spoiler pictures and I am not thrilled with the pattern.  I don’t believe that I would wear the shawl, so I’m not wasting good yarn on something I won’t use just to participate in a Mystery KAL.  I am really disappointed.  I loved the Daybreak shawl so much and plan on knitting another.

Off to knit and then relax for the rest of the day.

Summer of Cookie A Socks

I finished the second pair of socks using a pattern from the Cookiea sock club.  Honestly, this is the best club.  The patterns are great and the yarn is wonderful.  The yarn is Hazelknits Artisan sock in Oh my darling.  The pattern is by cookiea and is called Jubilee sock.  I used a size 1 needle.

I started on the August sock from this club.  The pattern is called Daphne sock.  Yarn is by A verb for keeping warm.  It’s Metamorphosis in the color sugar jets.  I am using size 1 needles.  Since this is a sport weight yarn, I cast on 60 stitches for the medium size.

I also finished the August KAL from my dishcloth group.  The pattern is by Elaine Fitzpatrick and is called Baby Seahorse.  I used Peaches in Crème yarn in the color Persimmon with a size 5 needle.

The Loopy Ewe got Swans Island fingering merino yarn in stock.  At first I thought, no way.  Then I checked out the web site and looked on Ravelry and I caved.  I bought two skeins in the Marine colorway to make a shawl.  It is so soft.

My new favorite sock yarn!

It’s Hazel knits Artisan sock.  I got a skein of oh my darling from the Cookiea sock club and I’m knitting the Jubilee sock pattern.  The yarn is so soft.  It’s not splitty and very easy to knit.  Here is is one sock completed.

I do have some of this yarn, but haven’t used it so far.  But, I did buy a skein of Sweet Crush from the Loopy Ewe.  I couldn’t resist the color.

The August shipment of the Cookiea sock club came this week.  I got another skein of yarn that I never had before.  It’s a Verb for Keeping Warm, Metamorphosis yarn in Sugar jets.  I already know which pattern I will be knitting.  I plan on knitting it after I finish the Jubilee sock. I love this sock club!

I also bought Sanguine Gryphon’s skinny bugga in The very hungry caterpillar.

And, I couldn’t resist these knitting kits from my local yarn shop.  I think the puppets will make great gifts.

Cookiea

I love cookiea designs and her socks fit me well.  I am so glad that I joined her first sock club.  The patterns are great and the yarns are super.  The first patterned sock I made was the monkey sock pattern designed by her.

I finished the Boysenberry Yo socks.  I used a size 1 needle with Solemate in Boyesenberry Jam color way.  Solemate is a great yarn and I will definitely buy more of it.  Can’t wait to wear them.

I started the next sock by Cookiea called Jubilee socks.  I am using size 1 needles with Hazel Knits artisan sock yarn in the color Oh my darling.  I am not a fan of orange, but I love this color.  It’s more like a creamsicle color.

Next shipment from the sock club is due in early August and I can’t wait.  I’m predicting Socktopia yarn.  Let’s see what happens.

I am still working on the Sugared Violets shawl.  This is an easy knit.  I am using size 6 needles with Sanguine Gryphon’s Travelor in Gaudi House.  I love the colors.

I am using the Signature circular’s and I really love them.  The cable is 32 inches and I find that with the longer cable, it’s easier to use the longer size needle.  So, I got 6 inch needles instead of 5 inch. Signature is suppose to be coming out with smaller size needles (size 1 and 2) and I can’t wait to get them for sock knitting.  I am hoping that they will make two different size 1’s and 2’s to distinguish what needle you are working on when using circulars to knit socks.

So Many Projects…Can I find the time?

I have been buying more yarn.  I can’t stop myself since I have projects I want to knit.

I am planning on joining the Stephen West Mystery KAL that starts on August 1st.  So, I bought Madelinetosh pashmina in tern, nebula and steamage.  I just love the colors.

I also got Bugga from the Sanguine Gryphon in Bog Fritillary and Cowkiller.  Possibly for another Daybreak shawl or another Stephen West project.

Finally, I bought Koigu KPPPM to knit a linen stitch scarf.  The colors are:  P123A, P401, P304, and P6308.

Now, I just have to find the time.  I am almost finished with my Boysenberry Yo socks and I’m still working on the Sugared Violets Shawl.  I think I am going to knit the Cookie A Jubilee socks next from her sock club using the Hazelknits yarn in Oh my darling.  I need to wind the yarn tonight.

I did finish the July Mid Month Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is Sea Waves by Andi Worthy in Peaches and Crème peacock.  I used a size 7 needle.

Off to knit…..

The dog days of summer have arrived

It’s going to be hot this week.  Guess, I will spend my time knitting inside.  This past week was a fixit week.  We had Sears in to fix our icemaker for the refrigerator and a plumber in to fix our powder room toilet and we had to get a new water heater. I finally have hot water…..thank God!

I finished the Daybreak shawl by Stephen West.  I really enjoyed this knit and really loved the yarn.  It is so soft.  I used size 4 needles with Turtlepurl Softshell Turtle toes in the coloways Kiping at Camp and Haeyyy!

In fact, I liked the pattern so much that I bought Skinny Bugga in Common Emerald Moth and Bess Beetle to do another one.

However, I won’t be starting this right away.  I already started another shawl called Sugared Violets by Rose Beck and I plan on participating in the Stephen West Mystery KAL that starts on August 1st.

I also completed the July 2011 Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern was Heart and Moss by Janet Nogle.  I used Peaches and Crème cotton in red with a size 7 needle.

I am finished with one Boysenberry Yo sock by Cookie A.  I am using size 1 needles in Solemate by Lorna’s Laces in the boysenberry jam color way.  I highly recommend the yarn and I love the color and pattern.  Can’t wait to get more.  My local yarn shop is getting this yarn.

Well, I better get my cleaning in before it gets too hot.  Stay cool where ever you are.

Twenty-five more books to go to reach my Goal

Well, I finally am back on track with my reading goal for 2011.  I have been reading like crazy.

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

Dreamlovers by Dodd Darin – brings back old times of the beach movies and oldies songs

Dewey by Vicki Myron – a great pet story

On Christmas Eve by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

The Girl who chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen – wonderful book

Say When by Elizabeth Berg

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen – guess you can tell I like her books

House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Summer and the City by Candace Bushwell

Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah

Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron

Until the Real Thing Comes Along by Elizabeth Berg

Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell – didn’t like this as much as the other two books

The Wedding Promise by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

Are You There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler – liked it better than I thought I would and almost considered getting her other books, but got tired of the stories by the end of the book.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Great Book!

The Land of Mango Sunsets by Dorothea Benton Frank – I love this author

Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux

Never Change by Elizabeth Berg

Lickety Split by Kathy Hogan Trocheck

License to Pawn by Rick Harrison – interesting read

Crisis by Robin Cook

Smokin Seventeen by Janet Evanovitch – love these books and can’t wait for the next one.

Unraveled by Maggie Sefton – Love this series too and I’m looking forward to the next one.  Why can’t authors write fast enough?

Enjoying my knitting projects

Yes, I am enjoying my knitting projects.  I haven’t finished anything this week, but I am making progress on several projects.

I got past the heel on the Boysenberry Yo socks (a Cookiea pattern) with size 1 needles and Lornas Laces Solemate in the Boysenberry Jam color.

I’m happy with the Olivia Sweater I am knitting.  The pattern is by Berroco.  I started this sweater back in 2004, but it was too big.  So, I frogged it and started over.  I am past the ribbing on the back.  I am using size 10 needles for the body of the sweater with Araucania Nature Wool Chunky in an orange colorway.  Hopefully, I will finish this by September.

Then, I am also working on the Daybreak pattern by Stephen West.  I am using size 4 needles with Turtlepurl yarn Soft Shell Turtletoes in Kipping at camp and Haeyyy!  I am currently working on the stripes and I’m loving this pattern as well as the yarn.

I got more Socktopus Sokkusu yarn from the Loopy Ewe in lime and basi and pinkly.

From the Knitter’s Edge (my lys), I got a cotton yarn on sale called Cotonade by Knit One Crochet Too.  I got one skein in a lime green and 5 skeins in a purple colorway.  I plan on knitting a market bag with the purple yarn.

Hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July!  I also hope you are enjoying your summer.

It was a good week

I got a lot of things accomplished this week.  It’s nice having the house all straightened up.  Now, I am chipping away at small little things.  I found a box of yarn I had purchased years and years ago.  Most of it was acrylic and I know that I won’t use it so I gave it to someone who would make good use of it.

I also found a bunch of needlework kits.  Some I put aside to keep, some to sell and some to throw away.  I found a bunch of macramé yarn.  This I decided to keep.  You never know when I might want to make something with it.

Last week, we had some work done on our front yard.  Stones placed around the edging of the flower beds and grass replanted.

We now have grass.

On the knitting front, I completed the Lorna’s Laces Jungle Stripe sock.  I used a basic sock pattern with an afterthought heel and a size 1 needle.  Purple and Green are my favorite colors.

Also finished is the June Mid Month KAL from my dishcloth group.  The pattern is called Little Tweet by Elaine Fitzpatrick.  I used Peaches and Crème yarn in light green with a size 6 needle.

I started on another sock using the yarn I got from the Cookie A sock club.  The yarn is Lorna’s Laces Solemate in boysenberry jam.  The pattern is Boysenberry Yo.  I am using a size 1 needle.  The yarn is really nice and I love the color.  My local yarn shop is going to get some of this yarn in, so I wanted to try it out in advance.  I will definitely buy another skein (or two).

And, I started the Daybreak Shawl by Stephen West.  I am using Turtlepurl Softshell Turtle toes in Kiping at camp and Haeyy with a size 4 needle.  I started this last week, but had to start over as I wasn’t following the directions…now I am on track.  The yarn is nice and soft.

This week, I also frogged an old project.  It was the Olivia sweater that I started as my first knitting project back in 2004.  First of all it is too big on me now and second, I have learned a lot about knitting and can make it better.  So, yesterday, I cast on again for a smaller size sweater.  I will post pictures next week.

I feel really great that I know have my knitting projects under control.  I now have only 7 projects on the needles.  That is much better than the 24 I had at the beginning of the year, don’t you think?

I did get a skein of yarn in this week.  I really wanted to try Three Ewes Twisted in Fiber in a striped yarn, so I got a green and grey colorway.

Frogging an unfinished sweater

 

The Swan Lake stole is blocked.  Yippee!

I also finished the Minnie Scarf by Jumpers Cable Knitting.  I used Manos del Uruguay silk blend in color 300A with a size 7 needle.  This was an easy and enjoyable knit.

Today I started the Daybreak pattern by Steven West.  I’m having a heck of a time getting the M1L and M1R’s correct on the knit and purl side.  Once I finish this project, I will be a Make one expert!

Loopy Ewe had an update this week and offered Socktopus Sokkusu yarn.  Of course, I couldn’t resist getting  the  jammy dodger and ayame colors.

After some deep thought, I decided today that I was going to frog the first sweater that I was knitting.  I never completed it but planned on finishing it; however, it’s way to big for me now.  So, maybe over this weekend, I will rip it out and rewind the yarn.  I like the pattern and the yarn, so I plan on knitting it again in a smaller size after I complete the Central Park Hoodie.  I started this back in 2004 and have learned a lot about knitting since then, so I think if I reknit it in a smaller size, it will knit up faster.  So rip it, rip it, rip it…….

Mystery Stole Complete!

Another old WIP completed.  I finished the wing on the Mystery Stole.  Boy do I feel relieved.  I had some bumps along the road, but I got through it.  The wing looks kind of cool.

The pattern is by Melanie Gibbons and is called Swan Lake.  I used a size 4 needle with Jaggerspun zephyr yarn in ebony.  Here is the completed stole unblocked.

I also completed the June Monthly Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is Bluebonnet by Lindy.  I used a size 6 needle with Peaches and Crème in Williamsburg Blue.

One sock is complete using Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock in the Jungle Stripe colorway using a size 1 needle.  I didn’t finish the heel since I am going to use an afterthought heel.  I will do both heels after I finish the second sock.  I love purple and green.

I was happy to get the June shipment of the Cookie A sock club.  The yarn is Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in the color Oh My Darling.  I love it.  We got two sock patterns with it and of course cookie recipes.  I am really enjoying this club and plan on joining again.

I had to buy a new sock yarn.  It’s from Three Ewes Twisted in Fiber Sock for Ewe in the saltwater taffy color way.  I like the colors.  This is a variegated yarn, but, she does have striped yarn too and I did order another skein in a stripe.  Her colors are really nice.

Right now, I am just working on the the Jungle Stripe sock and the Minnie Scarf.  I want to get these two projects finished and then try another shawl/scarf.  There are so many wonderful patterns out there.  I just have to decide what pattern I want to knit first….. decisions, decisions.

The Sun is Shining and the Heat is ON

And I am not going to complain.  I love to see the sun and I’m glad it’s not raining.

I haven’t completed anything in this last week.  I am diligently working on the Mystery Stole/Swan Lake.  I will be so glad when this is complete.  So, I have been plugging away.  I had an knitting attack’s episode and had to rip back to a lifeline (about 20 some rows), but now I am back to where I had the problem and have my mojo back.  I have about 69 more rows to go.  So I am about half way finished with this section.

I needed some mindless knitting, so I started another sock using Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock in Jungle Stripe using size 1 needles.  It’s a green and purple stripe  with a basic sock pattern and I plan on trying the afterthought heel on this sock too.

I only purchased one skein of yarn.  I saw a finished shawl using the Sugared Violets pattern by Rose Beck and I loved the pattern and the yarn.  So, I bought Sanguine Gryphon’s Little Traveller in Gaudi House.

Well, back to knitting the stole.  I hope to get at least 12 more rows completed today.