Oh Emil.....

Wollmeise Sockenwolle
New 2008 Colorway --Emil
Medium Intensity
100% Superwash Merino
Fingering Weight

Um...can I say I love it...



I've tried to capture the colors the best I can.


This blue/black is so intense, I can't even take a great picture, but wanted to share it anyways.

As much as I'd like to knit this, I just can't right now..... I can only look.. ;)

WIP Wednesday, the Merrlot Version

Yes, I did mean to add the extra "r" hehe.. No I'm not drunk either! ;)

All you get this week are these puppies! I'm bummed only a few rows of TD, but when one has a deadline, 1 must push that project ahead.


Heh, quite a bit of progress since last week huh? I do admit, it is a bit time consuming, but you know, they'll both be done..soon. The green knitting line is where I'll be picking up the afterthought heel today. That'll be in the solid yarn.

I still have quite a bit of the variegated yarn left, so I'm going to do at least 3 more inches in that, then after the heels are done, use any of the solid yarn for cuffs. With my luck I'd do the cuffs first and not have enough for the heels.

Stay tuned in the next day or so for the FO and my thoughts on the afterthought heel.

Till then........

No more cutting...

Tons of tiny little box tops! What you see here is 4,600 + leetle squares, some smaller than a postage stamp! Ok, if you want to get technical 4,626 of them. (you know gotta count the bonus ones ;)


Oh, in in leetle plastic bags, 94 of them, and I can say at least 70 of them were recycled from the submissions to the school. Oh and I didn't trim all of these...maybe about 1/4 of them today, but it felt like millions! Probably why I can't knit tonite!

We won't talk about how I just found out I didn't need to trim them so nice...or that I could use the bags..why didn't I read the coordinators update better!! hmmmm!!!

You see, being a workingoutofthehome mom, and required needing to do volunteer hours for the school (private) I found a job I could do at home, watching the tv, etc. So this fit the bill, cut these leetle squares out, put together in a box, and mail in each February and earn $$ for the school (many of you may already have this program at your school) (We also do Labels for education ) Heh, more on that another day..looking at a huge box full to trim.

I have had this job for at least 9 years...yes, we've been at that school for 13 years, this is our last year. At first, I did this all alone, trimming over 3,000 of them and mailing them in.

Then I relearned to knit and then the world of blogs arrived and gah..I didn't want to do this alone anymore. So last year, the lightbulb went off, bring the stuff to skate nite (roller skating, you know social teen stuff ;) and get the others to do it for me..well, along with me. All parents were thrilled as they got to meet, chat, and earn their hours too. And me...hehe..well I was the most thrilled as it didn't take away my time for surfing and knitting.

All those leetle squares, one would think lots of $$...sigh..for the amount of them, only $548..but it means I go out with a bang as this is the largest amount we've ever gotten! :) (we are a school of less than 150 students)

Bear with me my friends...in the next few months I have both kids graduating, although she's only graduating from 8th grade, people she has to wear a dress and has been bugging me to get it, and shoes too..and a purse..yikes where did my tomboy go?? (She's not worn a dress since her First Communion!) I'm kind of excited to shop with her..well kind of, her taste and mine..um..so not alike ;) and no, I am not sewing her a dress...yuk! I don't like sewing clothes..all that work and time and it never fits.

So I'm sure I'll be doing a bit of reflecting, crying, and whining to you all in the next coming weeks, thanks in advance for listening! :)

YPF-Repurposed Yarn Version

Remember this frogging incident. Well, along with this gorgeous, green Bamboo Wool, this Noro Silk Garden #87 will become (with the help of a few more skeins on the way) a Poppy Sweater. When this sweater first came out, I was a bit meh about it. But on closer look the style is just the type I need. Good ol' V neck. The best part was swapping some yarn that had yellow in it hehe..for the book!

Noro Silk Garden in #87

Moda Dea Bamboo Wool, courtesy of my local AC Moore

It was a hard decision to either highlight the mauve or darker blue colors..I finally decided on the green. Funny thing is they had the wild caribbean blue, but ick...I don't look good in that color at all...like it and if it was for my feet, I'd go for it...but my body..um..nope!




Stay tuned...

Still Wednesday!

Due to hubby's statistics course, he's hogging my computer time! Oh well, not much I can do but learn to share! ;)

This weeks TD progress!
Right front, you can see the bias edging is going well! It is interesting how a few SSK's and K2tog can do this in the right order.


Side panel. Lots of M1 L & R's here!


Back panel, only 28 more rows to go until bind off.
Modeled by DD.

Merlot socks! Do you see anything different? I've switched to Magic Loop, and I have to admit they are going a bit faster..well you wouldn't know it as most of the time I've been knitting on TD. I don't plan on all my socks this way. Just the easy, peasy stockinette ones.

In the future I'm going to be teaching magic loop to the guild I just joined. A couple want to learn socks 2 at a time, so it's about time to just do it. I got the new book, but it only shows cuff down. I'll still use the hints and patterns from there though. Geesh, I gotta book on these, only have 9 more days to finish! Good thing they are DK weight.

I have to admit, I've been feeling startitis badly. But, have only knit on these two projects. Now that I'm waiting for fabric to arrive to sew, I can spend a bit more time with these two.

Busy little weekend

Well, I spent part of it was spent curing my son's flu bug, which now on Monday evening, my daughter has decided she'll get it too! Probably back to the Doctors tomorrow!

Then, I decided it was time....to finally put together my Senior's picture frame. I did order 8 x 10's, but I do prefer the smaller ones. We are talking 4 months to graduation! Yikes, I am so not prepared for this! He's made his decision, and pending any scholarship/loan/etc. problems, he'll be going to Maine Maritime Academy .

It's a neat little campus, and although it is an intense course of study, and oh yeah, he'll be out to SEA for 2 months this summer, (one port stateside, one port anywhere in the world...need to get him a satphone..hmmm) I think it will suit him perfectly, and me, well you know any excuse to visit Maine! ;) (did I mention my little (well he's taller than me) man is going to be out in that big ocean....on a ship....)

Much knitting was accomplished by watching a Torchwood marathon. I had all but 1 episode of season 1 on my dvr, and was rescued by netflix. Up to episode 10, what a wild show!

Even more sewing. As much as I could handle when I wasn't being nursemaid, chauffer, cook, and cleaner. :)

Oh and something I don't share as often.......


The laziest kitty in the world! The end of our bed on Daddy's side...heh! I'm the one who feeds her the most, makes sure her mom cleans out her litter box, and she sleeps on his side! Well, it's all good, I move around too much, she'd fall off! ;)

YPF-Lorna's Part Deux

Again, seen at Skyline Chilly on the top of that pile o'yarn! I want her job! ;) Well...on 2nd thought, maybe not...the people I live with don't want to eat yarn, let alone wear it LOL..I would never bring home a paycheck.


Lorna's Laces Shepard Sport
New 2008 Colorway
Pilsen




Which also brings me to pass on info about her new pattern, Pearl's Diamond Socks, named for her Aunt Pearl. Knit in sportweight...ahhhh!
Your donation will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She's also having a Contest to help raise donations for this good cause. I see many patients everyday with both of these diseases, and any little way I can help I do.
(picture used with consent of pattern author)

Wednesday WIP

Whew, fell asleep last nite for a while knitting on TD...no stitches were harmed either...phew..


3 out of 10 total repeats. I will try on before I do all 10 repeats as I'm am a bit vertically challenged. Trying to finish a set of repeats a day, well, as much as I can tolerate. I'm learning M1's L&R for this, so much better looking on the side panels...I'll show you one day!


My newest socks. Merlot Colorway in Original DK from A Swell Yarn Shop. I got this last year when she only sold from her site. Now she's in a few other places...
Yes, these are 2 at a time on 2 circs, going quite well! This will also be my first afterthought heel. I wasn't going to do it, but said what the heck, it's just a set of toe decreases! I think the hardest part is picking up the stitches from the waste yarn. Hoping they go quickly.

Well, off to sew! Thanks for all your hints everyone! Fingers crossed!

What...drunken sewing!

Well, geesh, it sure looks like I was.... Every 5 or so stitches the needle skips a bit. I was looking directly at said needle and I would watch it slightly move. Thus this jagged look instead of a straight line. (yes I am Type A, and have stringent QC standards)

(ETA: Thanks for the advice on the needles. It was the first thing I tried to change. I've tried topstitch needles, metallic needles, denim/jeans, and regular 90 needles. But, not leather..hmmm, might have to go get some tomorrow!)


I can sew a straight line, but I fear my sewing machine is telling me it dislikes the thickness of the canvas I use for my needlecases. So..here's a lesson it telling your sewing machine YOU ARE THE BOSS OF IT!! Well, after you rip out 4 of these stinkin' things!


Find another stitch to use for this purpose and tell your sewing machine, nanananananaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! I am also researching other ways (ie: fabric strips) for reinforcement on the edges.

**Disclaimer, I do not drink and sew..kinda hard when you are on/call all the time LOL! Cripes, I can sew my finger when I'm sober, don't need any other help! ;)
Just an FYI to my past, current, and future customers!**

Back to your regularly scheduled knitting. Yes, I have to schedule knitting. With the constant incoming custom orders and peeps wanting me to update my shop, I have to make time to knit. Trust me, I'm not complaining, just trying to fit it all in. Or I'd pull out my hair, chase family around with my needles, or just be really cranky! I'm no fun cranky!

YPF-The Edge version

This colorway (see middle picture, far left skeins..) had me at HELLO! I was waiting with baitlike breath to see who would start selling it first. Luckily it was my yarnabler Sheri! Heh, and you think I'm an enabler!


Lorna's Laces Shepard Sport
Edgewater-New 2008 Colorway




I love sportweight sock yarn the bestest! DK is second, then fingering, then worsted...gah, worsted socks seem to take longer than fingering weight.

WIP Wednesday

Not a lot to show you..well I do have *cough* more WIP's than I want, but the most current ones being worked on are....

Tilted Duster, which for the sake of my sanity, I'm calling TD until the FO post!!!

About 2" or so of the skirt. Which is going pretty good. I found hints on making the M1's L or R and looks so good (for the sides of the skirt) I swear it would go faster if I was using size 10's like the pattern calls for, but no I have to swatch at 2 sizes down to an 8!!! Stinkin' gauge! On the 3rd skein...9 more left...eeek, still have 2 sleeves and a whole lotta ribbing to go..let alone about 30 or more inches on the skirt. I saved the first boob swatch in case I should need it for something. If not, I'm felting it..hehe.... to a coaster or something.

Tudora is at the top.

Lucky 7 at the bottom. Both suffering neglect due to the sewing thingy and TD's progress...another reason is it is too danged hot here...so I won't be wearing either of these for a while...but I do want to finish soon!

Making my day...

A bit ago Carol nominated me for this award! I've been quite remiss in thanking her so Thanks Carol! So here I am, minding my own business, kinda in a blah mood when I see these lovely ladies thought so too! Carrie, Gilraen , Aquaknits and Jen Thanks Ladies! You all inspire me in your own ways! I enjoy reading your blogs and learning about life in different areas of the world!



Then Roxy gave me this one! Thanks girl!


So...hmmm..my turn to nominate some of you that make me smile, laugh, cheer you on, and maybe sometimes just make my day most excellent and you don't even know it do you? Now, my bloglines list is over 300, so it was hard to choose.

Karen -for being the most patient friend. I took the reins of SAM from her, and she listens and helps so much, despite being super busy caring for her little Charlie, who's needing some love right now.

Kemtee- She started Sockin' it to Maggie, which btw, check out this Sock Storm, betcha never saw it snow socks huh? I enjoy reading her blog...she makes me think about a lot of stuff, and I got to meet her in person at SAFF..sniff..didn't get to talk too much though, maybe next year!

Aimee, yeah I know she's gotten one already, but it's been fun getting to know her via her blog, email, and SAFF (OCC baybee!)

Jody-She also mixes a bit of sewing and quilting with her knitting! I enjoy her photography as well!

Sarah- you want to talk about photography! I so wished she lived closer to me so she could have taken my son's senior pictures! She does amazing work. I had sewn her a circular needle case ages ago, in the first prototype, she sent me her Amy Butler fabric I never wanted to return, but I did, she got her needle case and a totebag and even some leftovers! She found me via Ravelry and we've been corresponding and commiserating ever since (we both have seniors)

Julie-is my Maine connection. Little does she know every snow or sky picture makes me smile and know one day I'll be back home, and will hopefully meet her and her cute little Clover too!

Shannon-Gorgeous photography as well, and I'm so happy for her and her new found spinning! Girl, I'm spinning vicariously through you! One day I hope to own a skein of Geddysburg Handspun! ;) We drove together to SAFF, never meeting each other IRL before, and had a great time, despite my GPS wanting to get us home like 5 hours later!

Kathryn Ivy-Grace and Alice can knit so fast, I never can keep track of who knits what..well yeah, they do sign their names to the posts, but I easily confuse! I knit vicariously through them!

The Gabby Knitter - I enjoy her spinning, fast sock knitting, and just for always cheering me on!

There are so many more of you out there who make me smile, laugh, and spit my coffee over the keyboard (oops!). So if you even take the time to stop by here and read my boring stuff, well, thanks and consider yourself making my day most excellent by stopping by!

Cabling again

Another Capitan Hat is finished.


Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky
Carribean Colorway
US 10 circ and dpn's


For my MIL, but modeled by DD.


There was a bit more leftover from this skein. It was a gift from a Doc I taught to knit. Pretty color, but not me, so for a gift it went. I got a bit carried away on the strap and had to frog it a bit. I think the buttons are perfect too.

Hey, you know the hint of doing a reverse purl wrap after a knit stitch, you know to help keep your ribbing from spreading out. Does anyone else do this? I have to almost all the time, but what I dislike is how it seems to spread out the purl stitches so they don't look tight. I've been having this problem for a bit..some yarns it doesn't show, this one it does..well to me, and it bugs me, but not enough to frog! Any new hints would be greatly apprecitated, especially as I still have another cabled hat in progress and one more to go OTN.

I have survived month 1 of the SAM 5 Kal...whew...and the best news I got yesterday...um..my Tilted Duster bodice fits...now fingers crossed for the rest..you know when I thought my Brown Gable fit...it didn't...so I keep hoping I can change the 2 sweaters knit, 0 fit to 3 sweaters knit, 1 fits...stay tuned!

YPF-Lost Mojo Edition

Hiya! Long time no blog! Sorry, not much knitting going on and lost my blogging mojo...too busy with the sewing mojo...well at least I have some mojo right ;) I do have an FO to post tomorrow though!

Onto the pr0n!

100% Peruvian Highland Wool
437 yards of chocolately goodness!
Color 8087



Received in a swap, which I know I got the better end of the deal. But she loves her end of the deal too, so both are happy!


Yummy!!

Oh, what is this going to be...one may wonder....

Well, I've been seeing a certain Blanket knit by an awesome knitter all around blogland. Yes, pick up your jaws....I'm gonna knit LACE ...yeah, the only way how...size US 10 needles baybee!

Look for it's beginning in the next few weeks. I have a few things to finish before this can be started. So for now, it's sitting right beside me, getting petted every once in a while ;)

Yikes...all that yardage..my poor ballwinder!