Saturday, September 26, 2009

progress, purchases, and a MAJOR yard sale score!

First the progress. The North Pole christmas sock is coming along nicely, after the third try, you know, it's a charm. It kept coming out too big. I've finally figured out where the foot should end and the heel should begin, so I think it's going to work perfectly. Now it's just knit, knit, knit. It's a good, I have 10 minutes between clients project, even though it's not too stimulating.











Next, purchases, like I need more yarn. I stopped by the LYS on friday to get the 2 small needles there. Judy's magic cast on is so much easier on those kind of needles as opposed to straights. Well, they had a bunch of the zauerballs. Had to have one.
This one a a pretty cool berry color. I'm pretty sure I'm going to use it to make the shawl I saw on ravelry. Don't really care for it as socks, and I already have so many.
Speaking of socks, I'm expecting my socks that rock sept shipment any minute. I have to admit, I already peeked at some of the spoilers, and I'm sure I'm going to love it.

Now for the major score.....
I stopped by a yard sale this morning and bought a couple of knitting books for 50 cents. I pretty much always buy knitting books if I see them and they're cheap, just because. Well, and I still can't believe this one, the Alice Starmore book is a special one. It's out of print, has been for some time, will probably not ever be printed again, and it's kind of a cool book. It sells on Amazon for somewhere between $200-300. Yes, that's TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS! Not too bad for my 50 cent investment. Now, I have to think, do I want to sell it on ravelry for a couple hundred bucks, (that would buy a lot of projects), or, would I rather keep it. Tough call. I'll have to let you know, keeping it for now. Oh, by the way, the yarn was free. I really have to go to more yard sales!











We will now return you to your regularly scheduled nap.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Gail, oh my!

Gail is complete, blocked and safely put away from meddling cats.
Isn't she beautiful??
I already have a second one started. It will be a very nice christmas gift.

















This week also brought some new yarn. The 9 skeins of brown cotton are for the Botanica Medallion. I really love this vest(?), but didn't want to look like a giant doily. I saw it on someone at sock summit and it was beautiful. I think the key is to not make it in an off-white yarn, so I chose a chestnut color. Hope it will work out. The second set of brown and white are for the doggie mittens on ravelry. They're very cute and will be my first official try at colorwork. The brown in this one matches sister perfectly. That was the plan.



I'd love to show you the north pole christmas socks. One was about 90 percent done too, but I decided I didn't like the toe AT ALL, too pointy, so I ripped the whole thing out and started again. The first time the magic cast on went really smoothly, but I swear, I tried to get it to work yesterday for at least an hour and it wasn't happening. I finally gave up and cast on for the second Gail. I'll try the sock again when I feel a bit more patient. Although the socks are very plain, I'm trying to use some of the techniques I learned at sock summit. Judy's magic cast on, short row heels, and a stretchy bind off. See, sock summit just keeps on giving.
I can hardly wait for the next conference. The madrona schedule should be up soon, and I've never really considered classes there, but I'm taking a whole 'nother look at it. I'm definitely thinking about taking a class that will improve my skills and take them to another level.

This week should bring the next installment of the socks that rock sock club. I can hardly wait to see what Tina has for us this time. I've checked out her new colors and I think my credit card is weeping.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

lesssons in lace


I was so inspired by all the great shawls I saw at sock summit, I decided I needed one of my own. So, here's what I've learned about lace - just this week too!
1. I cannot knit from a chart. It looks like chinese. If it's written out, I do fine, but the charts, not.
2. It pays to have the best tools. You cannot knit lace with a dull bamboo needle. Addi turbo lace, baby.
3. Lifelines.
4. Patience. Kind of goes with the lifelines.
I'm liking it though. Say hello to Gail. (rav pattern)
I'm on the 6th pattern repeat - out of 7 and booking right along. I don't think it's going to go as fast now, since it keeps growing and growing. The yarn is handmaiden sea silk, northern lights, purchased at knit-purl in portland. I already have a second one planned as a christmas present.










Also, thanks to a nice, warm shift at the farmer's market for the master gardeners yesterday, the garden socks are 99 percent done. All they need is a toe. Good thing, I think the next shipment will be this week and I also want to get started on the north pole christmas socks. Those should go quickly, though, they're going to be plain, toe-up to show off the self-striping yarn.
The felted bag is coming along, but, honestly, it's boring.

On a happy note, I got my pilates certificate yesterday. It's official. I'm certified, and, except for continuing education, finally done. WHAT will I do with my weekends??

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Have I said how much I love where I live??

On friday night, we went dowtown to Harbor Days. I love where I live.....











These guys have been visiting lately. This is my front yard. Notice the spotted butt on the baby. They're all cute until they eat your flowers!










Saturday was a road trip to portland. Good car knitting on the bag strap. nothing exciting to show, though. I'm using a double knitting technique I learned at sock summit. It's making a pretty substantial strap. I think it's going to work great when it's felted and hopefully not stretch much. The bag is coming along too. I can only work on it for so long because, well, it's kind of boring.











So, in portland we made a stop by the Yarn Garden. They had the universal yarn, "north pole", how could I resist?? the top yarn is north pole victoriana. I'm thinking some plain socks, it is self-striping, and toe-up, so I can use every inch of yarn. The second yarn is handmaiden sea silk from knit-purl. I've been wanting to make a shawl ever since I saw all the really cool ones at sock summit, so I decided to tackle a "gail". After a bit of frustration and some reading on ravelry, I think I'm ready to go. Hopefully they'll be something to show soon.
It's supposed to rain hard here for the next two days. I think we'll be having a pretty lazy labor day around here.......