Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE snow??

Just had to mention that because we were up to our butts in it this week!
It totally shuts down the world here and no one knows what to do.
Haven't been out of the house for 3 days because of the snow and then major ice.











What's amazing is the hummingbirds. I've been refilling their feeders every morning because they were frozen solid. The minute the sun comes up, there's birds out there, and, man, do I get scolded when I take that feeder down. They're fascinating, though. Check out the background in this pic. Snow. 18 degrees. and hummingbirds.













I did get some knitting done.....
looopy ewe feb club scarf. It was a fun knit, and I love the colors.











I've also been working on a wedding shawl for one of my clients, no pics yet, but it's coming along.


Yogi was not quite sure what to do with himself........
















but ozzie had the right idea.....sleep unitl it's over!

I couldn't help myself.......

I know I said I wasn't going to do the loopy ewe club this year, but when I saw these awesome colors.......(the pic doesn't do it justice). This is a cute little scarf and a fun knit, pretty much my only progress last week, except a bit on the endless, being knit backwards slip stitch.














The mailman was also good to me. Cute little doggie knits book, although I could SWEAR when I first saw it, it included a boxer. The book comes, no boxer. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise, so something happened there. Good thing it was only $8. I think I can modify a couple of the patterns to make a boxer. In my spare time.











Yesterday, we went to Madrona, a fun local knittting conference. Beware! Rant coming.
2 actually......
Rant #1
There was one booth there that was completely empty. Not a thing to sell, with people sitting there saying they were "sold out". I totally understand the fine line between too much and not enough, but these folks sold out on thursday, the first day of a 4 day conference. Frustrating. I MIGHT have bought something, but........
They operate here locally and possibly could have re-stocked, or saved one of each skein to show folks and take orders. It was a waste of space.

Rant #2
I saw this cute little vest pattern. When I asked about it, I was told that I could only "buy the kit". $120 for a vest....A little steep. Gee, they weren't selling too many.
There's only one person on rav who's actually done this pattern, wonder why.
Shame on you trendsetter yarns. I get the whole "we need to sell OUR yarn", but, if you'd sold me the pattern, I might have bought the yarn later. It's OK. There's about 800 cabled vest patterns on rav. I'll find another. In both cases, you snooze, you lose.

Rant over.....

Let's leave on a positive note! (check out who he's using for his pillow)

It was yarn score saturday!

Saturday was a great yarn score day here......
A knitpicks order including the yarn to make the blue sipalu bag, some white alpaca lace for a wedding shawl, and some needles to replace the ones that had a "cough" Puppy accident......













Included here is also the newest interweave knits, and the feb. loopy ewe kit. I know, I said I wasn't going to join the club, and I didn't, but when I saw the beautiful green and white, just my colors, I HAD to have it. I deserve it, right?
So when the individual kits went up, I went and snagged one. Suppose I can resist the march and april ones?











The moonstruck sweater is finally done and it matches pretty well. It could have been bigger, it's a bit tight in the armpits, but I'm loving it and I can't imagine....it would have taken yet another skein. Something wrong there. Now it just needs some buttons. I know it's not a good pic, but look at that cute (knitting needle-eating) puppy. (in his defense, Ozzie started it)











The colorwork scarf has entered the land of mindless knitting. Tons and tons of mindless knitting. There's 10" of this slip stitch to make the hood and it's taking forever. This will probably be my 10 minute mindless project for quite a while. I'm moving on to that beautiful loopy ewe kit, and making the scarf.












Next week, the first installment of Janel Laidman's pattern club and Madrona!

well, now, that was better.......

This week actually brought on some knitting progress.......
My orchid thief shawl. The pattern is "the riddle of the orchid thief" by ysolda, from the book "brave new knits". In the book, it says it's advanced. Honestly, the only thing advanced about it is trying to figure out what the author had in mind. It has limited directions, and charts, neither of which bothered me, but, it assumes that the knitter will also make the SAME assumptions....confused? so was I. Thanks to the lovely knitters at Rav. that have gone before me, I was able to make it past the dreaded row 86 after only 3 tries. The yarn is "nightfall" by fibro fibers. I love how it slowly turns to black.














I got my new fixed skein of Gaea for my moonstruck sweater. It's still a bit light, even after sending a sample, but it'll work. I finished the other front last night while watching movies and it's off to be blocked today. I'll be working on the luanaria scarf while that dries.


We also went to the grand opening of a new LYS yesterday. It was about a 30 minute drive, but worth it. Yellow House Yarns in puyallup is going to be a really fun place. I love the old house, the selection of yarns was good, and I think once they get up and running, they'll probably have some fun classes too.
Ozzie and the troublepuss are admiring the cascade heritage I bought there. Had to support them, right? I am thinking colorwork socks, this being the year of colorwork and all.













Speaking of classes. Our little obedience school dropout graduated yesterday. Don't get too excited. His graduation cap should have been a dunce cap. He starts again monday night for another round of basic. How can you resist that cute face???

knitting slowdown

well, the second half of the colorwork scarf is blocking, and the Moonstruck is dead in the water waiting for different yarn. (the folks at blue moon were very helpful),
so, I decided to cast on a new project. Why not?
This is the orchid thief shawl from brave new knits, the yarn is fibro fibers nightfall. After knitting bee fields, this is a piece of cake. The charts were quite a bear to work out, but thanks to my friends on ravelry, I found out there was errata and got some tips to figure it out. I'm almost to the dreaded "row 86", though, so we'll see what happens. The color will become darker until it eventually turns to black. I think it's beautiful, so much so I might just have to have some more. It's only available to order once per month, though, on the first........













Up this week.....I'll try to finish the lunaria scarf and work on the orchid thief shawl. I think I'm going to have to help myself to some of those bon-bons from the sanguine gryphon too. The weather is supposed to be kind of nice though, so I may just go outside and play.

The critters will all be resting up, just in case......



devil cat.




unsuspecting victim...

knitting frustration!!!!!

I have no knitting to show you this week and this is why.......
A LONG time ago I fell in love with the moonstruck sweater. I waited and waited for the yarn to come in and finally ordered. Blue Moon Gaea, "in the navy". The pattern and website said 3 skeins for the size I needed. I knew it would be close. It wasn't anywhere NEAR close. I ran out. With the back, one side and both sleeves done. So, I ordered more, hoping the color would be even sort of close enough to finish. It WAS NOT. Now I know, it's hand dyed and one of a kind, and TOTALLY my fault, I should have ordered that extra one to begin with.........

I have spent 2 days trying to make the colors work and the reality of it is, I just wouldn't wear it. It is SO different. Much lighter. A whole different color. I have emailed blue moon to see if I can send them a sample of the first batch to try to get even a BIT closer. For now, Moonstruck is hibernating with the back, one front, two sleeves and the other front half done. Every time I look at it, it makes me sick to my stomach. It's a beautiful sweater (almost). Keep your fingers crossed they can make a darker skein.


So..... I've just been working on the colorwork scarf. Looks just like the other side I posted last week.

Next up.......The Orchid Thief shawl with my fibro fibers nightfall. I think it's going to look great.

I also think all this knitting frustration is giving me spring fever.....my thoughts are turning to gardening.

Since there's no knitting, I thought I'd give you some critter pics. No hummingbirds, although there's been a major hummingbird war going on here, they're just too FAST.
So, here's some Ozzie and a little Yogi.

it's raining, it's pouring

The doggies are snoring!












So, my resolution for 2011 is to master colorwork. I'm not quite ready for hard core intarsia or steeks yet, but I am practicing......
This is a little colorwork scarf kit from knitpicks. I know, I don't really NEED another scarf, but the colors were right and I DO want the colorwork practice. It has 2 colorwork pockets and a hood, so something different, also matching mitts.










THIS is a sipalu bag kit, also from knitpicks. I know, I know, it's not really my colors, but again.....practice. I think it's going to be a christmas present for next christmas and I'll order the yarns to make the blue ones. Although I'm not totally sold on knitpicks yarns, I do like the palette for colorwork. Great selection of colors and it makes for a nice knit.











The loopy ewe sock club is up for renewal and I think I'm going to pass this year. Too many changes, and the first 3 kits all have bags with them. I have enough bags for an army so I guess I'll try to buy them one at a time if I like the yarn or pattern.


I'm dead in the water with the moonstruck sweater. Ran out of yarn. Got gauge, ordered what they said, should have gotten one more from the beginning, but I was trying to save money. Had to buy the extra skein anyway and now hoping it's going to even sort of match, fingers crossed, but I left off in a place where I can make it "fit in" (hopefully)

That's it for this week.....anxiously awaiting Madrona.....
Yogi says "who me? obedience school dropout???"

after knitting all that lace......

aran weight on size 9's seems pretty darned easy!
This is Moonstruck. It's blue moon's Gaea and the color is "in the navy".
I'm loving the knit. The right front, back, and half a sleeve are already done. This makes a nice, heavy fabric that's going to make a great coat-like sweater. I did have to order one more skein, though, started to get nervous there wouldn't be enough.












We're supposed to have a "major snow event" the end of the week here. (that really means more than 1", so I expect there will be a LOT of knitting accomplished.
I think my next project will be to use my nightfall yarn to make a Batik shawl, or the cloudchaser vest.

I'm anxiously awaiting Madrona - the annual knitting conference here. Mostly for the shopping opportunities, I'm not taking any classes, but it IS fun to see what's new and shop the mill ends from Blue Moon.



The doggies are not too excited about the snow.
"MOM, we need a bigger bed!"

Happy New Year!!!!

I've never really been one for new year's resolutions, but I do have some things in mind for 2011.

Knitting-wise I'd like to take some colorwork classes. I'm especially intrigued by intarsia and steeks. Hopefully they'll be a class around here somewhere. Not the LYS, though, they only offer your first sweater, sock, etc. Same-same. I'll probably have to go up to yorkshire yarns, but that's ok, they're pretty cool there.

I'll also be going to sock summit in july. The current plan is to shop a day, volunteer for a day and see what happens. I can hardly wait. It was SO MUCH fun last time.


I'd also like to do some test knitting. I'm already supposed to do a shawl soon. We'll see.

I have LOTS of projects lined up, socks, shawls, and even a sweater or two, starting with Moonstruck, just as soon as I get the yarn for it next week.

I'm still not sure about commiting to a club. I'm thinking about just making my own club with some random kits, a pattern club and my stash. I'm already in for the little mermaid kal, the Mrs. Dalloway's garden shawl from woolgirl and Janel Laidman's art and sole pattern club.

2010 did end with a bang, though, having FINALLY conqued bee fields!














The doggies were very excited.















It also brought some goodies.....
Fibro fibers nightfall. It's a long gradient that goes from black to a beautiful teal. I'm thinking it just has to be a shawl. Either traveling woman or batik.

what do you get when you avoid the mall at christmas?

Lots of knitting done!



Bee fields in all it's glory. I'm on the third set of charts and doing pretty well, thank you very much. This is QUITE an accomplishment. The pattern is great, but I definitely consider this advanced lace knitting.




Santa was also good to me, having brought me my knitpicks wish list. The yarn for the luminaria scarf (couldn't resist) and some misc goodies, cable needles and the book wrapped in lace.






I also self-santa'd a bit and splurged on the yarn for the moonstruck sweater - Gaea in the color "in the navy", and dreamweaver yarns had a post-christmas sale, so I bought the pattern for ishbel, and some puppy snips. The discount paid for the shipping.

In the end, a good time was had by all. Now, on to new Year's and possibly some resolutions.

Ho! HO! HO! It's a FO

I've finally finished my christmas knitting and, the cabled sweater is finally finished too, except for a few buttons. (I just can't bring myself to stand in line at joann's right now).
This is Paton's Must Have Cardigan (with puppy). I think it turned out pretty well, although I do like a longer sweater. I added some length already, but it could have been a bit more. It's OK, though.












After last week, I couldn't stand it any more. I went and joined the Unique Sheep little mermaid KAL. I'll be doing mine in laceweight, with the carribbean gradience colorway and beads. It's starts some time in march, so I have something to look forward to!

Right now, there are so many temptations out there. Coookie A. has a new sock club, and so does Janel Laidman (she has 2). Janel's offers a patterns only option, and one of the clubs comes with 2 patterns, one for a sock and one for a non-sock. I chose the pattern only option for the Art and Sole club. It's a great way to dig into the stash and have some potential christmas presents for next year. (at least that's what I'm telling myself). I'm still undecided on the cookie A club, but I think I'm going to pass on the loopy ewe this year. It was fun and cool, but I'd like to focus my efforts on individual kits like the one woolgirl puts out, or KAL's like the unique sheep, as opposed to a club where you get both yarn and pattern without choosing. (like, I REALLY NEEED more yarn). I'm also thinking about Madrona in feb. and of course, sock summit this summer.

The mailman was good to me too. The yarn that a little doggie is obsessed with is knitted wit, shades of grey. Loved the colors and it's for the january CSK.
The bags are a christmas gift from my friend Amy. She and her daughter made them, and I think they're great!












This week, I'm back to bee fields, after having ripped it out yet again and re-started. It's NOT going to get the best of me!
(ever tried to knit lace with a boxer puppy wrestling in your lap?)



Speaking of puppies......I think we need a bigger bed.











Ozzie is unimpressed.....

Last minute christmas knitting

I looked at the calendar last week and just about had a heart attack! There's only 2 weeks to christmas!!
This week brought some easy christmas last-minute knitting. Some kids felted slippers, and a hat for my neighbor. (not the one from the lands end catalog, but i'll have to do!)













Also, a future felted clog for DH. (The other one will probably happen today!) I sent him my knitpicks wish list last week. Might as well get what I need/want.













I'm just about done. I wanted to knit DH some socks, and I may still do that with some thick worsted - he loves thick socks. They'll go pretty fast. I want to use my new mad skills I learned from Cat Bordhi last week and make him a personal footprint.
We might just do that today. It's supposed to rain more today than any time in the last 2 years, so I think it'll be INSIDE activities this afternoon.

Last week, the mailman brought me some goodies. The new Cookie A. book, knit.sock.love (very nice) and some Malabrigo silky in acorn that I ordered a LONG time ago (the price was right) to make my cloudchaser.
I still need to finish the cabled sweater, but it's set aside for the last minute holiday stuff. It only needs some sewing and a button band.


I also hear that the "Mopsy" is in at Blue Moon, so I'll be stalking their website to make the "moonstruck" sweater. I've probably already lined up more projects than I could ever do in 2011, but I'm also looking at the little mermaid shawl KAL from the unique sheep. I'm kind of a sucker for KAL's, gradience yarns, and beads. What more could you ask for???

Ozzie can hardly wait until all the holiday madness is over! At least he doesn't have to spend tomorrow afternoon standing in line at the post office!

knitting like crazy

the snow and turkey day are finally gone. I feel like I lost a whole week of my life last week. We didn't go anywhere except to pick up our turkey dinner and work out on friday. It felt good to finally get out of the house.
Good news, though. I've got a bunch of christmas knitting done.
Socks for my sister (knit in 3 days during a snowstorm)





They're the mad color weave pattern in STR pepe la plume.





A really cut fox scarf for a little boy I know. It was fun to make.















I also knit a scarf for my neighbor for her birthday. It was THURSDAY ya know. (she reminded me about 100 times) No pics of that. Just pulled some funky noro novelty stuff out of the stash (not even sure how it got there) and did a quick garter stitch scarf. Now she wants a BLUE hat with ties for christmas, so I'm doing a "thorpe" in a nasty acrylic, but it IS going fast.


Yesterday afternoon, I was very excited to take a class with Cat Bordhi at Yorkshire Yarns in Tacoma. The owner of yorkshire is quite a character and she loves to have great classes. She said she "stalked" Cat, and when another LYS closed that cat was scheduled to teach at, she emailed her right away and got her to come to yorkshire.
We did personal footprints and I loved it! Cat is a patient, fun, teacher and I highly recommend taking a class from her if you can. She makes you think entirely differently about your knitting.










The sweater is taking a bit of a break for some last minute christmas knitting. All the parts are done, just need to sew and put on a button band.


On the doggie front, Yogi started obedience yesterday. Good thing you can't flunk out on the first day. There were just SO many intersting people and other doggies, and smells, and stuff.............
He has the attention span of a gnat.






The bed just keeps getting smaller.
Look at that giant foot. It's Yogi's.
Gonna be a BIG boy!