50 Degrees

We actually hit 50 degrees today.  It was wonderful.  The sun was shining and the snow is melting.  We will have one more day of this kind of weather and then it’s back to the cold. But, at least we got some of this snow melted.  I even went to knitting yesterday and today and got to be with my friends.  Pure Bliss!

I got two new skeins of yarn today from Desert Vista Dyeworks.  The colors are Zombody Go Bragh and Zombody Throw me some beads.  I couldn’t resist them.  But, the post office really messed up with delivery on these skeins.  I was suppose to receive them last Saturday, but the tracking still had them leaving Arizona.  They finally hit Philadelphia two days ago and sat there until this morning when they finally moved and got to my post office.  I almost thought that they got lost.  I am so glad to have received them.  I know it probably had to do with the snow last Thursday and then President’s Day on Monday.  But, Geez!  That long to get here???

I have been working mostly on the two pairs of socks I am knitting.  I am knitting on the second sock for both. I finally turned the heel on both of them. 

The one pair is Lollipop yarns Angry Birds using a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle.

The other pair of socks is the Drift sock using Bugga in the color Tropical Shield with a size 1.5 needle. 

I should finish up both of these socks next week.  I think I will cast on another basic sock using Zombody Go Bragh for Saint Patricks Day.  I probably won’t finish it by then, but at least I will have a green pair for next year.

I am so sick of snow

We had two days this week where it snowed.  Wednesday, we had ice on top of the snow.  So, for two days, I stayed home from work.  It was not worth driving in this weather.  I am counting the days until February is over.  Maybe March will be warmer.  Darn Groundhog!

Haven’t done too much knitting, but I did finish one of the Drift socks.  I am using The Sanguine Gryphon’s Bugga in Tropical Shield Bug with a size 1.5 needle.  I am enjoying knitting this sock.

I am almost finished with the first Angry Birds socks.  This is Lollipop yarns in the Angry Birds color with a size one needle.  I am using a basic sock pattern.  I love the stripes in these socks.

Haven’t knitting much on the Flutterby blanket and I want to cast on a Ricci hat, but I have been busy trying to get caught up on house work.  I think I am almost there with that project.  Hopefully, I will get more knitting completed during this upcoming week.

I saw the sun today

It was out for a brief period of time, but at least it was out.  Now it is cloudy and cold.  I really need to get my car washed, but I guess that will have to wait until it warms up.

I did get some new yarn recently.  I had preordered a nyan cat set from Fibernymph Dyeworks.  I probably had to wait a year and a half to get it because she took so many preorders, but it was a surprise to finally be able to get it.  It’s in her bedazzled base.  It came with a navy skein of yarn for heels and toes.

I also ordered some yarn from Webs.  I love the Flutterby yarn that I am using to make a baby blanket.  Webs had it in a pink color that I just love, so I ordered 4 skeins.

I also ordered Malabrigo Rasta yarn in the color porriniho  It is a chunky weight.  I want to make a pair of mittens out of it.  I also ordered a purple color, but it is on backorder.

That is all for now.  I am really trying to knit from stash and so far I am doing okay except for the above purchases.  But, I am allowed to indulge myself every once and awhile, aren’t I?

Cold and snow today

I’m really sick of winter.  We have had a very cold winter here.  Today it is 21 degrees and it’s snowing.  We are suppose to get 3 to 5 inches.  I can’t wait for spring.

It’s a great day to knit today and I have been doing that.  I am currently working on the Drift sock using Sanguine Gryphon’s Tropical Shield Bug.  This color was from her Bon Bon kit several years ago.  I am using a size 1.5 needle.  The pattern is very easy to do and I love the color.  Great for Valentines Day.

I also had to cast on for a sock with stripes.  I chose the Angry Bird color by Lollipop yarn.  It’s very bright.  Great color to cheer me up on this ugly winter day. I am using a size 1 needle with a basic sock pattern.

I also started on a baby blanket for my great niece to be.  My niece is pregnant and due in March.  So, I hope I get it finished by then.  I am using Fluttery chunky yarn by James Brett.  It’s a soft chenille yarn and the colors are white, pink and purple with a size 10.5 needle.

I finally finished the Christmas sock I was working on.  I used Lollipop yarn in the Christmas Carol color with a size 1.0 needle.

I also finished my hitchhiker using Miss Babs Yowza yarn in the night lights color with a size 6 needle.  I love this yarn and hope to make more projects with it.  I got about 39 points and didn’t have much yarn left.

Back to knitting for me today.

We are having a heatwave

Not really, but when the temperatures go from a minus to 55, it does feel like a heatwave.  The snow is melting and we have had quite a bit of rain today, so that has helped getting rid of the snow.  I am really sick of this winter already.

Not much happening with my knitting.  I am still working on the hitchhiker and I started the second Christmas Carol sock made out of Lollipop Yarn.  I’m starting to think of other projects to cast on the needles.

I did buy some Flutterby Chunky yarn to make a baby blanket for my niece.  This yarn is so soft.  The color is a pink and purple confetti.

That is all I have for this week.  I have been working part-time.  Between that and doing errands it has been a busy but productive week.

2014–Hopefully a better year than 2013

A fresh start and a new beginning for me.  I lost my best friend – my husband.  It was sudden and I am still in shock.  So, it’s a new beginning for me.  I will miss him and so will our Maggie.

I haven’t been knitting much the last month, but I did finally complete the Glynis Sock by Cookie A.  I used Shibui sock yarn in color 1675 (Pagoda).  I used a size 1.5 needle.  I enjoyed the pattern.  The only negative was having to move stitches in the leg.

I also completed one sock using Lollipop Yarns Christmas Carol.  I enjoyed knitting this because of the striping.  Too bad I didn’t have it finished for Christmas.  So, maybe next year.  I used a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle.  I need to cast on sock 2.

I only bought one skein of yarn.  I guess I was too busy to shop for yarn.  I couldn’t resist Gynx self striping BFL sock yarn in the color Velveteen.  Susan B. Anderson designed a rabbit using this yarn.  I don’t know if I will make the rabbit, but maybe I need to get another skein of this to make it as well as a sock.

Well, I need to get working on the Hitchhiker.  So, I am off to get some knitting finished.

Happy New Year

I am so glad for it to be 2014.  2013 ended on a real bad note, so I hope 2014 will be better.

It’s time to look back at my goals for 2013 and see what I accomplished.

GOALS FOR 2013

1. Read 65 Books – I read 76 books

2. Knit 12 pairs of socks – I knit 15 pair

3. Finish the Central Park Hoodie and knit another sweater – didn’t happen

4. Stash bust – at least get rid of one storage tote of yarn either by using it or passing yarn along or selling it. – I got rid of 3 totes

5. Finish the min ulla scarf (two color project) – Frogged this one.

6. Look into weaving (a way of stash busting?) – I still struggle with this.  I feel if I buy a loom, it will just sit there.

Goals for 2014

1. Read 65 Books – I think that is a good number and don’t want to set a goal too large.

2. Knit 12 pairs of socks

3. Finish the Central Park Hoodie – One of these years I will do this.

4. Stash Bust – Get rid of at least one storage tote of yarn either by using it or passing yarn along or selling it.

5. Clean house – it’s time to go through the house again and reorganize and get rid of stuff I don’t need.

FINISHED PROJECTS FOR 2013

I Finished 29 projects this year.  In 2012, I finished 55 projects and in 2011, I finished 71.  So I definitely did less this year.

3 Dishcloths

3 Scarves

15 pair of socks

1 baby blanket

4 shawls

1 Zombie doll

2 Cowls

UFO’s

8 UFO’s in 2013.  Last year I had 4.

2 Pair of socks

Hitchhiker

Strandwanderer

Advent Calendar Scarf

2 Sweaters

1 Afghan

That is 8 too many

Finishing up Books Read in 2013

Intervention – Robin Cook

Creation in Death – JD Robb

Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing – Lee Server

Where we Belong – Emily Giffen

Rose Harbor in Bloom – Debbie Macomber

To Whisper her Name – Tamara Alexander

Miss Julia To the Rescue – Ann B. Ross

Strangers in Death – JD Robb

Critical – Robin Cook

Salvation in Death – JD Robb

Ritual in Death – JD Robb

Book of the Dead – Patricia Cornwell

Almost Home – Barbara Freetity

Return to Willow Lake – Susan Wiggs

Promises in Death – JD Robb

10th Anniversary – James Patterson

Kindred in Death – JD Robb

W is for Wasted – Sue Grafton

Passing Through Paradise – Susan Wiggs

The Best Man – Kristan Higgans

 

Total Read for 2013 was 76 Books

Where did a month go?

It’s been awhile since I have blogged and I can’t believe it’s almost a month!  I have been working  part time so I didn’t have much time to knit.  At least things are easing up and I have my knitting mojo back.  Problem is I have projects to finish and want to cast on for more.  I am NOT knitting any Christmas presents thank God.

I’m working on the Glynis sock by Cookie A.  This is a really nice pattern.  I am using Shibui sock yarn in the color 1675 also called Pagoda.  This has been in my stash for quite awhile, so I am glad I went deep stash diving.  I am using a size 1.5 needle.

Here is the first sock completed:

I am half way finished with the second sock.  I am just going to start turning the heel.

As much as I wasn’t going to buy anymore Lollipop yarn, I couldn’t resist the color Christmas Carol.  So, I bought it.

Then, I cast on a for a basic sock pattern using a size 1 needle.

The striping is uneven, which I am liking very much!

I am still working on the Hitchhiker using Miss Babs Yowza yarn in Night Lights.  I love how this is knitting up.  I am using a size 6 needle.

I love the Yowza yarn by Miss Babs and wanted to try more yarn by her, so I made another purchase.  I got Heartland worsted yarn in Tulipa, Cosmic sock in Vineyard, Heartland worsted in Raisinette (I really wanted 2 skeins of this color, but she only had one, so I bought 2 skeins of the Tulipa and still bought this skein) and Yowza in the color Perfectly Wreckless (I love this color and just had to have it).

My local yarn shop was selling washcloth kits using Applachian Organic Cotton.  I wanted to try it out, so I bought a kit.  The kit had 2 washcloth patterns, the yarn, and soap.  Here is the yarn.

I want to make a Rikke hat out of some Madelinetosh dk that I have and maybe I will knit a cowl using the Miss Babs Heartland in Raisinette.  I also want to cast on for a pair of socks for my niece.  She has a size 7 1/2 foot, so those socks should knit up faster than the one’s I knit for me.  The socks for her WILL NOT be for Christmas. Plus, I have to get back to a cross stitch pattern I was working on.

Well, hopefully, I will start blogging each week now.  Off to knit!

Where did two weeks go?

It has been crazy here.  I am working part time now, preparing for tax season.  Then, I started to have knee problems that got worse.  The pain went down into my leg and was so bad that I went to emergency.  Thankfully, it wasn’t a blood clot and it’s just muscular.  I got a muscle relaxant from the doctor there and then went to see my doctor, who prescribed an anti inflammatory pill for me.  That was successful!  I’m just about back to normal.

Because of the knee problem, I really haven’t been knitting, but I did get some new yarn.

From Leading men Fiber arts, I got the color foliage in their Showcase base.

I also got a skein from Gales art in her sock base.  The color is Moldy pumpkin.  I loved the name and couldn’t resist the yarn.

Last, but not least, I got another ball of yarn from Lollipop Yarn.  The color is Moonstruck and I love it.

I did finally finish my sock in Kirby Wirby sock in the color Dangitt…where’s my broom…..  I used a size one needle with a basic  sock pattern. I love the striping on this sock.

 

Well, off to knit and to catch up on my podcast listening.  I have 26 to listen to.  I am so far behind.

It Finally Feels Like Autumn

Wow! It was 38 degrees out this morning when I woke up.  It’s about time Autumn gets here.  While I’m not looking forward to winter, it’s nice that it is cooler out.

I have been busy.  I finally blocked the High Speed Knitting shawl I was knitting.  I used a size 5 needle with Desert vista Dyeworks gradient yarn in the color witches brew.  I enjoyed knitting this shawl.

I also completed the Counted Cross Stitch kit I was working on.  It’s called BOO!  I think he’s cute.  Just in time for Halloween.

Now, I have to start another cross stitch project that I want to get finished before the end of the year.  Actually there are two, but if I get one completed, I will be happy.

I completed one sock using Kirby Wirby yarn in the color Dangitt..where’s my broom.  I just used a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle.  I love this yarn and the stripes.

Then, I started a cookiea sock called Glynis.  I am using Shibui sock with a size 1.5 needle in the color 1675 (orange). This is the first time I am using this yarn and it’s been in my stash for awhile. I am really liking it.  I am just getting into the pattern now and it looks good.

More yarn came in this week and I believe this is the last of it.  I am going to try not to buy anything for the remainder of the year.  Let’s see how I do.

First up is Madelinetosh dk in the colors Black Current and Plaid Blanket for hats.

Then, I just had to have Fireweed Dyeworks yarn in the color Russian Fairytale.  I can’t wait to knit this up into a sock.

Off to knit on my Glynis sock!

Casting On

I have been casting on projects this week.  I started a new sock.  I am using a basic sock pattern with a size 1 needle.  I just had to cast on the Kirbywirby Dangitt where’s my broom……  I love how it is striping.  It’s great for Halloween.

I also cast on for the Hitchhiker pattern using Miss Babs Yowza in Night Lights.  I love how it’s knitting up.  I am using a size 6 needle.

Another scarf I am knitting is called the Strandwanderer.  It’s a little tricky with the short rows, but it really is an easy pattern.  I am using Madelinetosh sock in the Firewood color with a size 4 needle.

I did finally finish my Socktoberfest sock using Regia Ringel in the clown color with a size 1 needle.  I love how it turned out.

 

I did get some yarn in this week.  First off is String Theory Dyeworks in the Caper sock.  I got the colors Lichen and Pewter.

And as much as I don’t need any striping sock yarn, I couldn’t pass up some Lolllipop yarn in the color We need a little Christmas.

Yarn Porn

And, I got lots of it.  It was like Christmas here this week.

First, I am excited that I got two skeins of yarn from Fab Funky Fibres.  The main color I am excited to have is her 15 colour rainbow striped yarn.  That’s 15 colors of stripes!  I also got the shades of green color too.  This came from England.

Next, I got Miss Babs Yowza.  I loved working with this yarn for the Brickless pattern and now want to do a Hitchhiker with it.  So, I got the Shaken not Stirred and Night Lights colors.

I really loved the Zombie Prom color, but when I went to order she didn’t have it.  But, I got an email from Craftsy and they had it. 

From Desert Vista Dyeworks, I got the other two skeins of yarn I ordered.  The colors are Sushi and Toucan.

Kirby Wirby had another update that I was finally able to get some more of her yarn.  I got Herman Monster and Dangitt, Where’s my broom.

Last, but not least, I was able to get some yarn from Must Stash.  The colors I got are Unicorn Apocalypse and Night at the Roxbury.

I am loving the self striping yarn!  But, I think I have enough now.  I have one more skein on order and I will try to stop myself from ordering more.  If not, I will have to join the SSSYAA (self striping sock yarn addicts annoymous).

Slow Week

Not much knitting or cross stitch this week.  I did finish the Witchy Woman socks.  The yarn is Vesper in the Witchy Woman color using a basic sock pattern and a size 1 needle.  Just in time for Halloween.

I did get some yarn this week.  First off is Desert Vista Dyeworks in Viso in the color Poodle Skirt.

Second is Madelinetosh DK in the color Cathedral.  I want to use this to make a hat or cowl.