Time Flies

I can’t believe that another week is over and tomorrow is Palm Sunday and the beginning of April.  Watch out for April Foolery.

I have been knitting.  I started a new sock.  The pattern is called Hayrick by Anne Hanson.  I am using Lornas Laces Solemate in the Pine color way with a size 1 needle.  I do like the yarn and this green is a different color of green.  The pattern is easy.  I will probably change the heel to my normal heel flap heel instead of the short row heel in the pattern.

Working with this yarn reminded me how much I liked knitting with it, so I bought another skein.  The color is chagrin.  It probably doesn’t show up well in the picture, but it is more of an orange color.

I am still working on the Sheldon Blanket.  I am more than half way finished with the actual blanket.  I have also been working on the Hitchhiker scarf.  I have 26 points finished and the rows keep getting longer.

I also bought some Jeanne worsted weight yarn to make some rabbits for Easter.  I got yellow (0056), green (0055) and orange (0053).

I have to play more with this new camera because of the shadows.

Well, back to work this coming week, but it’s almost over.  I will be looking forward to getting back to my normal routine.

What a beautiful day we had today

It was 83 degrees outside and the sun was shining.  It felt so good, but I know we are going to go back to cold weather and I will really be sad.  It is so nice to have this warm weather early.

Today, I completed the Basic sock that I was working on.  I used Online Sportive sock yarn in color 1167, which is a blue multi color yarn, with a size 1 needle.  They look like spring.

I also completed the Mid March Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Blackberries by Daisy (Tomato Lady).  I used a size 6 needle with Sugar and Cream yarn in Robins Egg Blue.

I did buy some new yarn.  My intent is to make monsters or toys with this yarn.  It’s Dancing Dog Dyeworks yarn, which you have to stalk when there is an update.  I got a kit with Flamenco DK yarn in Sugar Skulls and a Hot Pink.  I just may knit a monkey with this yarn using a pattern by Rebecca Danger.  I also got Waltz Worsted in the color Lacey Jane.

I finally bought a skein of Watermelon fingering weight yarn by Abi Grasso (KnitPurlGurl on Etsy).  One of my knitting friends got this yarn and knitted up a pair of socks.  They looked great.

Last, but not least, I got a Bertie Lou kit from Happy Knits.  I wanted the blue color bird, but they were out of that color, so I got the Persian Rose kit.

So, I guess I better start knitting toys.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

It’s so nice outside.  It was over 70 degrees today and I had the windows open.  It was wonderful.  We really had an easy Winter this year.  I only hope that the Summer doesn’t turn out real hot.

I’m still working on the Sheldon Blanket and the Hitchhiker, but haven’t gotten real far with them to take another picture.  I am almost finished with the Online Sock.  It’s amazing.  It was knitting up so slow and I was close to the heel flap when I noticed that I had a ladder up the one side.  I never get ladders.  So, I frogged the sock back to the ribbing and started over.  Now, it’s knitting up fast and I have no ladders.

I am getting into trouble looking around Ravelry because I found the Color Affection Shawl.  The Plucky Knitter made up kits using several of her yarns.  I liked the Primo, which was a fingering weight yarn, but she didn’t have any in the color ways she had listed that I wanted.  But, I was able to ask to be notified when it was available.  Luckily, a day or two later, I got an email that the Speakeasy kit was available and I jumped at ordering it.  I love the colors, but won’t start this until I finish something else.

She also had a kit for the Sonoran Cowl and I ordered one of those.  It may take awhile to get, but I can’t wait.

That’s all that I did this past week.  I am looking forward to this week as I only have to work part of the day Monday and have off the rest of the week.  The weather is suppose to be in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s and I am looking forward to it.

Daylight Savings Time is Here

I love it.  We are closer to warmer weather.  Although it hasn’t been really a cold winter,  I am looking forward to warmer weather.  I even had a window open this week and it was wonderful.  Maggie really loved it.  She was sniffing like crazy.

I finished the March 2012 Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called the Cable Twist Dishcloth by Laurel Wadley.  I used a size 6 needle with Sugar and Cream in the Sunshine color way.  It’s a spring color and reminds me of daffodils.

I didn’t finish anything else, but did start another sock.  I am just doing a Basic Sock pattern using size 1 needles with Online Supersock Sportive in color 1167.  Since Easter is coming soon, the colors reminded me of Easter and Spring.

I did buy some yarn.  I got Valley Yarns Northampton worsted yarn from Webs in the Red color for the Red Project.  I plan on using their Hearts of Oak pattern.

I also had to get another skein of Lollipop striping sock yarn.  The color is Whole Lotta Shaking Going On.  I love the colors.

The Knitter’s Edge also got in more Yarn Bowls.  When I saw this one, I had to have it. 

I did get my new camera and I love it.  It is literally a point and shoot camera and that is exactly what I needed.  It’s a Canon Powershot S100 and as you can see, it takes great pictures.

Shaelyn is Blocked

Here are my final pictures of the Shaelyn Shawl.

Blocking:

Finished:

I need to get a new camera pronto.  Mine is dying.  I need recommendations. (Got the new camera and retook the Finished Pictures.  I like these better.)

I also finished the Cookie A Rambutan socks from the December 2011 sock club.  I used size 1.5 needles with Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in the Heuschrecke color.  The Second sock went really fast.

And, here is the three amigos with their Heart’s O Plenty socks.  Love the different colors.

I love Bags

I don’t know why, but I probably collect bags as much as I collect yarn.  I love all kinds of bags.  For knitting, I have some favorites.

At the top of my list is MadBird.  She carries different sizes of project bags as well as needle cases and pattern holders.  Her bags have a square bottom, so they are roomy and the drawstrings are a thick cord.  Let me tell you, some of the bags out there use ribbon drawstrings or thin cords and they DO NOT compare to MadBird Bags.  Her fabrics are great and you can request a special order.

She also makes themed bags for the holidays.  The bags pictured above are the smaller bags and I do have medium and a few large bags.  They are great bags and well worth the money.

I also have a few other favorites.  The purple bag below is a Walker Bag.  This is great for storing notions and crochet hooks.  It’s a mesh bag, so you can see what is in it. The bag next to it is a Vera Bradley Ditty Bag.  I love the size.  It’s great for larger knitting projects.   The bag next to the Vera Bradley Bag is from Lantern Moon.  I just got this bag and it is great for small projects like socks.  The bag in front is a nice size bag and well padded by Ocean Patch Creations on Etsy.

Do you like project bags for your knitting?  I use to use plastic zip lock bags, but not any more.

No Yarn Purchased–Can you believe it?

Nope, didn’t buy any yarn.  That is a good thing.  That’s not to say that I didn’t see yarn I wanted to buy.  Can I go another week without purchasing any more?

I finished the Fair Isle hat that I started in the fair isle class.  I am happy how it turned out and I am ready to start another fair isle project.  I really could take the class again to firm up what I learned, but it will probably be awhile until it is offered again.  I used a size 8 needle with Encore worsted in color 0520 (a dark grey) and Encore Colorspun in color 7517 (pinks).

I finally finished the first Rambutan sock from the December Cookie A sock club.  I used a size 1.5 needle with the Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in color Heuschrecke.  This is probably one of the last skeins of yarn that the Sanguine Gryphon dyed since they are split now into two companies.  I was really disappointed in the Bugga yarn.  It started off fuzzy as I knit it.  Later, when I got to the end of the pattern part and just had to knit stockinette, the fuzziness went away.  I don’t know if they changed their base yarn, but I won’t be buying any more Bugga from either company.  I do have more than enough of it too, so I don’t need anymore.  I do like the color and the pattern. Now, I just have to cast on for the second sock and get knitting on it.

I also completed the February 2012 Mid Month Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called In Celebration by Janet Nogle.  I used Peaches and Crème yarn in pastel pink with a size 7 needle.

Is it really Winter?

We have been really lucky this Winter.  The weather hasn’t been very cold and we have only had some light snow.  Let’s see if it continues this way.

I have been knitting quite a bit this week.  I started the Sheldon Blanket.  It’s a striped blanket and will have a pocket to put Sheldon the turtle in it.  That is after I knit Sheldon.  I am using a size 7 needle with Knitpicks Shine in Pea Pod, French Blue and Cream.  It’s mostly garter stitch and I am enjoying it as it is a no brainer knit.

I am also working on a Fair Isle hat.  I started the Min Ulla scarf and wasn’t enjoying it as I didn’t feel comfortable knitting with 2 strands of yarn.  I decided to take a class at my local yarn shop and I loved it.  I now know how to knit continental.  There is still a lot to remember, but I am enjoying it.  After I finish this hat, I am going to frog the Min Ulla scarf back and restart the stranding.  I am using a size 8 needle with Plymouth Encore in a gray color and Plymouth Encore Colorspun in a pick color.  I am getting close to finishing it.

I am also working on the Rambutan Socks and the Hitchhiker scarf, but haven’t gotten very far, so I haven’t updated the pictures.  I also need to block my Shaelyn shawl.  I will definitely do that this week.

I did frog the Cat Bordhi sock I started last year.  I decided that I didn’t like the pattern and I didn’t like the yarn and would rather work on something that I liked than force myself to complete the socks.

I got the February 2012 CookieA sock club shipment.  The yarn is from Alisha Goes Around and is her Richness (of Martens) fingering weight yarn in the color Genevieve (red).  Love the yarn, but I’m not fond of the patterns we got.   So, I will pick another pattern to use for this yarn.  We also got a project bag with this shipment.

Off to do some knitting.

February is Flying By

Well, I haven’t done much knitting in the last two weeks.  I have been busy working.  But, I should now be back to normal and will have more time for what I want to do.

I did finish the Shaelyn Shawl, but I need to block it.  Once blocked, I will take pictures and post them.

Also, I completed the February dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Linen Stitch Cloth by Janet Nogle.  I used a size 7 needle with Sugar and Cream in hot purple.  It was a fun knit, but I wish I had used a striping cotton yarn.

I have been spending time on Ravelry and found a pattern for a turtle called Sheldon and and blanket to go with it.  So, I had to buy yarn to make it.  I got Knitpicks Shine.  The Turtle is called Sheldon and the blanket is the Sheldon Blanket.  I also bought some Knitpicks Dishie since I ordered yarn from them.  I’m going to try to cast on tonight or tomorrow.

From the top, It’s Dishie in Aster and Swan, on the bottom is Shine in green apple, peapod, french blue, and cream.

I also couldn’t resist getting more sock yarn in a striping color.  This is from Lollipop yarns and I found it on Etsy.  It comes from  Tennessee.  I love the colors.  The yarn color is called Giggles.

This week, I have a Fair Isle class at the Knitter’s Edge.  I’m looking forward to learning more about Fair Isle.

January is almost over

It’s so hard to believe that we are at the end of January.  The good news is that the weather hasn’t been too bad except for rain and a few days of colder weather.  I hope the weather stays decent for the next two weeks.

I finished the Nubby Noro Mittens and I am very happy with the results.  I didn’t use Noro.  Instead,  I used Madelinetosh Vintage in tart and I love this yarn.  I am using a size 5 needle.

Here is the front of the Mittens:

Here is the back of the Mittens with the thumb:

I loved the vintage so much that I bought two more colors for projects that I have in mind.  I got Betty Draper Blues for a shrug and Tern for a scarf.  I have other projects in mind, so I will be buying more of this yarn.  Thank goodness my LYS is getting more of this yarn.

Since, I finished several projects in the past two weeks, I cast on the Hitchhiker using Wollmeise in Am Kalten Polar.  I am using a size 3.0 mm needle, which is normally a size 2.5, but I didn’t have that size.  I did have an Addi Turbo Lace in that size and it’s a size 2.0 for that brand.  I am enjoying this knit.  It’s just an 8 row repeat, but it will get longer as I go along.

I also started another sock.  I am using a pattern from the December CookieA shipment.  It’s called Rambutan.  I am using a size 1.5 needle with the Bugga yarn I got from CookieA in the color way called Heuschrecke.  The pattern of the sock in only on the leg.  I love Bugga and this is probably one of the last skeins of yarn that the Sanguine Gryphon made (so sad that they split, but I have much Bugga and Skinny Bugga to keep me busy).  Can’t wait to see what we get in February.

My local yarn shop is having a class on Fair Isle Knitting in February and I signed up since I am making the Min Ulla scarf and want to learn the right way of using 2 handed stranding.  There is homework, so I had to buy two different colors of a worsted yarn.  I got Encore Worsted in a gray color and Encore Colorspun Worsted in a multi pink color.  I am looking forward to this class.

Well, this will be a busy week since I have to work 4 days.  I’m not use to that.  I am going to relax the rest of today and tomorrow.  So that includes knitting and reading.

First Snow for 2012

We have been lucky so far, but today we had snow.  It looks as if it was at least 6 inches.  I’m kind of glad that it was on the weekend.  At least I didn’t have to worry about driving in it.  There is something about when it snows outside.  It makes you want to snuggle up in the house and hibernate.  It was a good day for knitting.

I completed the Mid Month Dishcloth KAL for January.  The pattern is called Moss and Leaf Cloth by Andi Worthy.  I used a size 6 needle with Peaches and Crème in Verde Green.

I also finished the Christmas Socks I was working on.  I used a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle and I used String Theory Colorworks yarn in Kinetic Energy with an afterthought heel.  So I’m all set for next Christmas.

I think the next sock I knit will be one from the December shipment of the Cookie A sock club.  The yarn is Bugga in the Heuschrecke colorway.  This is one of the last skeins of yarn from the Sanguine Gryphon since they have split up.  Tomorrow, I will wind the yarn.

I am close to finishing the Nubby Noro Mittens.  I am using Madelinetosh Vintage yarn in the tart color way with size 5 needles.  I finished one mitten except for the thumb and the second mitten is almost finished too.  I used the kitchener stitch for the top of the mitten and changed the instructions for the thumb on the left mitten to make it easier.  I can’t wait to use these mittens. 

I’m still working on the Shaelyn shawl.  I have finished the fourth repeat.  I believe that I will do an extra 2 repeats before doing the edging.

I did get some new yarn.  This was yarn I ordered before the end of last year.  It’s from Fibernymph Dye Works.  She does wonderful striping yarn.  I got Peanut Butter and Jelly, Popeye’s Revenge, and Fruit Loops in her Bounce base (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon).

I really love the Fruit Loop color!

New Yarn Makes me Happy and Warm

Well, I’m trying not to buy any new yarn, but the Loopy Ewe got in a new yarn from Skein and I had to bite.  It’s a Merino Cashmere Fingering yarn.  I got it in two colors Fig and Organic.  I plan to use the Organic to make the Thin Ice Shawl by Laura Linneman.  But, I need to finish my Shaelyn Shawl first.  Not sure about the Fig colorway…. could be a sock?

I’m really loving the Noro Nubby Mitten pattern using Madelinetosh in tart.  I’m getting close to the decreases on the first mitten.  I am using size 5 needles and decided to use circular needles instead of double points.  It’s just easier.  Problem was that I only had two 16 inch cable circular needles in a size 5.  I used them until I got to my LYS and bought another size 5 in a 24 inch cable (I already had one size 5 in that cable size).  I like the 24 inch cable much better.

Today was the first day it really felt like winter here.  The temperature really dropped and it was very windy.  We even had snow flurries.  Guess winter has finally arrived.

First Finished Project for 2012

Well, don’t get too excited.  I only finished a dishcloth.  The pattern is called Side by Side and it’s by Janet Nogle from my Monthly Dishcloth KAL group on Yahoo.  I used Sugar and Cream in cornflower blue with a size 7 needle.

I did finish one Christmas sock except for the heel.  I am doing an afterthought heel for this sock and will do that once I finish the second sock.  I am using String Theory Colorworks yarn in Kinetic Energy with a size 1 needle.

I am moving along with my Shaelyn Shawl.  I am on the third repeat.  I am using Madelinetosh Pashmina in the grasshopper colorway with a size 8 needle.  This is an easy knit and I am loving the pattern.

I cast on for the Nubby Noro Mittens, but I am using my left over skein of Madelinetosh Vintage in tart with size 5 needles.  As you can see I haven’t gotten too far with this project.

I did get some new yarn:  Madelinetosh Vintage for a Saroyan Shawl.  The color way is Cosmos.

I also got some yarn from Desert Vista Colorworks.  I got a gradient colorway in Grape Jelly to make the Savina Shawl and a fingering weight yarn in a striping yarn.  The color is called You’re a Mean One.  She really has some nice colorways in her shop.