Great Knitting Week

I has been a great knitting week.  I started two more projects and finished two projects.

I completed the April Mid Month Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is Waves of Lace.  I used a size 6 needle with Peaches and Crème in delft blue.

I also finished the Hayrick Sock by Anne Hanson using Lorna’s Laces Solemate in pine with a size 1 needle.  I really liked this pattern.

I finished the main part of the Sheldon blanket, but still need to pick up the side stitches and knit the pocket.  I am using size 7 needles with Knitpicks shine in cream, pea pod, and french blue.

I started the Color Affection Shawl.  I am using size 6 needles with Plucky Knitter Primo yarn in Elmer T, Miniature Lilacs and Speakeasy.  I have started on the second color.  This is an easy knit and I am enjoying it.

I was also anxious to begin the Cookie A sock club socks for April.  The pattern is Nanaimo Socks.  I am using a size 1 needle with Socktopus Sokkusu yarn in River Styx.  This yarn is wonderful and the pattern is very easy.  My needles are flying.

So, hope next week I will get to report more progress with my knitting.

I’m behind on my reading

I don’t know what happened, but I got off to a slow start at the beginning of the year.  So, now I am trying to catch up.

The books I read so far this year are:

V is for Vengeance – Sue Grafton

Dixie Divas – Virginia Brown

Face of Deception – Iris Johansen

The Wednesday Letters – Jason F. Wright – I loved this book

The Killing Game – Iris Johansen

Range of Motion – Elizabeth Berg

Dead in the Family – Charlaine Harris

Honeymooning – Rachael Herron

Angel Falls – Kristin Hannah – her books are great.

The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks

The Wedding – Nicholas Sparks – what a great story

Fifty Shades of Grey – E. L. James

The Search – Iris Johansen

Died in the Wool – Mary Kruger

Fifty Shades Darker – E. L. James

Knit Fast, Die Young – Mary Kruger

Miss Julia Delivers the Goods – Ann B. Ross

I am 7 books behind.  I think I will be able to catch up.

We finally have rain

Yes, we have had some rain this past week and a half.  It’s not a lot and it hasn’t been pouring, so that is a good thing.  It’s been so dry here that I haven’t even minded the rain.

As a result, I have been buying yarn.  I couldn’t resist the update from Numma Numma.  I got Doppio in blue cheese and violet bruise.

Then some of my knitting friends and I drove to Emmaus, PA to go to Conversational Threads.  It’s a nice shop, but it is small.  They have so many different kinds of yarns there, but they don’t have too much out because of the size of the shop.  As a result, it’s hard to see.  Also, it seemed as if they had many dark colors.  The good news is that they will be expanding into the space next door.  That will give them more room and the yarns will probably be displayed better.  They have many yarn lines that I like.

I did get a skein of Spud and Chloe Sweater in the turtle color.  I plan on using this to make an animal.

I also couldn’t pass up the last update from the Loopy Ewe.  I did have a $25.00 credit too, so that helped.  I got 4 skeins of  Malabrigo Finito in the estragon color way and a skein of the Biscote & Cie Felix yarn in the color Go Haps Go.  This is a self striping yarn and I wanted the red, white and blue to make socks for the 4th of July.

I ordered other yarn this week and I will post the pictures next week, if I get it by then.  I was excited to score big in this update.  I can’t believe that I did so well.  I’m not telling what it is until I can post the pictures.

Quiet Week

Yes, not much going on.  I did finish the first Hayrick sock.  I really like this pattern.  I am using Lornas Laces solemate in pine with size 1 needles.

I got the April Cookie A shipment.  I knew we would eventually get this yarn.  It’s Sokkusu by Socktopus in the color river styx.  I really love the color and patterns are nice.  After I finish the Hayrick sock, I will be knitting with this yarn using the Nanaimo sock pattern from the club.

I couldn’t resist buying the Seasons hat kit (spring) from Brooklyn Tweed in the loft yarn.

The colors (from left to right and then at the bottom) are:Thistle, Fossil, Plume, Sweatshirt, and Fort Blanket.

I’m still working on the Sheldon Blanket and the Hitchhiker.  I am getting close to finishing the Hitchhiker scarf.  Maybe, I can finish it up this week.  I would really like to start on another project, but want to finish something first.

We are due for some warm weather this week, so maybe I can sit out on my back porch and knit.  Maggie would like that.

Happy Easter

 

Aren’t these rabbits cute?  I made them from the pattern called Huggie Bunnies.  They were a very quick knit.  I used a size 8 needle and used Plymouth Jeanne Worsted yarn in color 0055 (green), 0053 (orange), 0052 (blue), 0056 (yellow) and I also used Knitpicks Dishie in the aster color.  I liked the Jeanne worsted best for this pattern.  I plan on giving them to my great nephew Carter tomorrow for Easter, but I’m keeping the Purple (aster) for myself.

This week went fast and I hope that next week does as well.  It is my last week of work and then I’m free!  I did get to complete the April Dishcloth KAL.  The pattern is called Ramon Noodle Dishcloth.  I used a size 7 needle with Peaches and Crème in the camel color.

As far as yarn purchases, I didn’t buy much.  I got another skein of the Jeanne worsted but in the blue color (0052) for the rabbits.

I also bought a kit from the Plucky Knitter for the Sonoran cowl.  I got the pattern plus two skeins of Plucky rustic in the bombshell and oatmeal color.

I’ve been catching up on podcasts this week.  I’m really enjoying the videocasts, but still like the audiocasts.

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.