Lost but not forgotten...SP gushing

Serenity Garden

I had a perfectly lovely post about my non-Knitty SP and her final package and everything and poof, it's gone. What the heck? *sigh* I hate blogger some days.

Anyway, I have had a superfantastic non-Knitty SP from California. You'll have to peek back into the archieves and see the lovely things she (and the BF) found to send to me. Bucket loads of amazing things. I'm very fortunate to have had such lovely SPs :) This SP is a student like me and with the same time and deadline contraints that always seem to get in the way of knitting...imagine! Well, she is such a sweetie. She sent me my very first Addi Turbos! Yup, I love, love, love them. If that were not enough, she also sent along a buck of lovely dark chocolate....even organic! It was sinfully good. Thank you, Leina for all the very special and lovely things you picked out for me. I appreciate them all and especially your time and thoughts. :D

Yikers!

Just came back from long drive #2 in as many weeks and am e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d. I got a message that I had a package in the mailroom and asked forit to be sent to our secuity office so I could get it after hours...so glad I did! There waiting for me after my 6 hours trip was dun-dun-daaaaaaaaaaaa...another hermetically sealed box. It could only be from my Canadian SP super duo of Strain & Strain (two aptly named individuals....see why under comments from package two). With quasi-fresh camera batteries and some changes to the settings *fingers crossed* I took this pictures of the goodies...while chewing on an Oh Henry!
Sandra and hubby are too sweet...look what they sent me...
1. Handmade spindle by the tape-tastic dude himself (at least I think so based on a comment my SP made in a previous communication). Who knew this guy was s otalented and handy? Yes, I have documented his triumps with the sticky-backed stuff but, but this is not even remotely adherent! LOL

2. Roving! Not sure of the type but ROVING! nonetheless. Wonderfully soft and mushy and I'm going to bring it to a friends who knows show to spin (I hope)....did I mentyion she sent along instructions AND more Udderly Smooth cream for my hands? She thinks of everything.

3. Now, I know that Canada is a fairly largish country but MY God! do they believe in hand soup....hand, the operative word. I recieved a GARGANTUAN bar of Scottish Violet and Sugar soap that I have to hold in two hands. You'd have to be a basketball player to be able to palm this thing. Guess the neighbors downstairs will have to get used to the crash! and resultant slippery slide of the slick soap as it ejects from my hand every morning at 6:30am. (Think if Julia Roberts and the snails at dinner in Pretty Woman) The soap is quite lovely, in fact. Thank you!

4. Byrspun US size 17 straight needles....awesome, I dont have this size! Woot!

5. Kroy sock yarn....2, one for each foot. Uncanny...I just commented that I liked the new Knitty sock patterns for the Winter 2005 edition. This comes in handy :)

6. Stitch markers! Happy pretty, colorful ones that make you just smile like this -----> :D

7. More free pattern flyers! Thanks, because I never have time to do this and now I have a bunch for my bindr I'm starting to put together.

8. Yarn kit of pretty purples! Interesting textured yarn, kind of a boucle but not. I'll have to think of something for this...hat and glovies for the baby niece (saw her this weekend againa dnshe's just a cutie...no, I am not biased....I swear!)

9. CANDY, CANDY, CANDY! Oh Henry, Reese's cups, lollipops, and tons for stuff. As usual, my fellow students thank you and my PMS alter ego does too!

10. Hot apple cider! SHe must have known I like it and sent more in this package...yummy on a cold night like tonight.

11. Note from my SP (the most special part of the gift). Sandra (and her hubby) has been such a great and fun SP. Thank you for all your lovely gifts, Customs-proof boxes and smiles. ANd special thanks to MaryMac for a great paring! Off to contemplate knitting.... 

IOUs

 


I had a BUSY Thanksgiving. The drive back to the family Wednesday was a misery and I didn't get in until almost 4am. Drivers of the larger trucks were throwing themselves onto guardrails to decelerate in the hopes of not slamming into the stopped vehicles in front of them. Scary stuff especially since I was one of the stopped cars. Thankfully, I managed not to add myself to the 15 car pile up (thanks Dad for teaching me how to drive safely in bad weather when I was a teen). I kissed my mom hello when I finally got in and went straight to sleep. THe rest of the weekend was a blurr and I still need to recover from it. So much for a relaxing weekend. *sigh*

Never did get a chance to koolaid dye with the kiddies. Oh well, best laid plans and all that. I did only a small amount of knitting and managed to take a picture of the stitch markers I made in trade who are on their way to their new owners. Hope you all like them! :)

That's all for now. I have to rest tonight and plan the cleaning, reorganization and rearrangement of my little home. It's driving me a wee bit batty and it needs to fast become a little sanctuary...ahh sanctuary *sigh*

Off to the post office and errands before heading back to "work". Knitting will be accomplished in the next few days and pictures will be included....just need to fiddle with this camera a bit to get it to focus correctly. 

Sunday KNIT IN!

Okay, this an open invite all day knitting day right from your own cozy chair. The point? Get those WIPs into FOs and enjoy knitting with others. Here is a little car clicker cozy I am making for a friend. Hope to see a few pictures of your WIPs and FOs posted to your blogs too. Be back later with more updates!

All quiet....

Well, it will be quiet here at the ranch for a bit while I dig my heels in for the sake of education. All my concentration and focus will be directed toward a singular goal that will occur this weekend. I have waited a long time and it is final "go" time. Keep any and all fingers, appendages, etc., crossed and send good thoughts and vibes this Friday and Saturday.

I have promised myself an entire day of just resting and knitting...and I have enlisted a few accomplices to make sure that's all I do. Ahhhh...wish it was Sunday already....

and these...

Borrowed a pair of pliers from a friend after mine went missing mysteriously from the hall closet. So off these go in trade to their new owner in trade for some mags. I hope she likes them....22 in all....that'll keep her going for a long while. Hope you like them, Barb!

My So Called Scarf....an FO!

I always liked this pattern and although I had the wrong needles (grabby bamboo) and only one ball of the yarn, I think it came out great. I love the Treandsetter Dune and would love to used more of it in the future if I ever see it on sale and I'm no longer grad school poor...I'm thinking in 3 plus years or so? lol Enjoy!

Safe SEX....a yarn story

Is it possible to love your Knitty SP and her husband? Answer is a resounding yes! This dynamic duo managed to send me an intriguing box in and out.

It all started when the wonderful mail lady handed me the box. I was SO excited because it was here and it was heavy! (insert greedy smile here). I no sooner get in the car with said box that I think to myself This must be what hell is like... You see, the box, much like the 1st was sealed very ummmm, completely! It kind of had the "vacuum-sealed" feeling to it, you know, dense like a brick of coffee and no prayer of getting it opened fast.

So I bit my lip for a moment and pulled the good ole car keys out of the ignition....yeah, you know what's coming...but wait, something is different about this box. Not only is it taped, it was first wrapped in plastic wrapping first! There was not a blessed place I could poke the key through. Seriously, drug dogs couldn't possibly deduce the contents....it was air tight, nay waterproof! (it was a rainy day)

By now I was completely resigned to getting this sucker open even if I had to resort to pinata busting methods...plenty of trees nearby, rope in the trunk and enough SP package angst that it would be a spectacle for sure! Needless to say I became rather deft at working the serrated edge of the car key until....ahhhhh, success!

WAIT! No, no, I take that back. Even though I managed to rip (read stretch the plastic wrap to beyond the manufacturer's recommendation) with a huff and a puff (and a few really bad words that would make a sailor blush) I finally birthed that box from its unyielding sheath.

And guess what? THE BOX WAS STILL TAPED! A silent scream escaped my throat...!#$@*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But then all was well...check out the loot!

1. A butt load of free patterns...lets say that again Free Patterns....sounds lovely together, yes?
2. A little woody dolly that I can either make into my board exam security dolly or a voodoo doll...especially handy if one of the test proctors tweaks me the wrong way on expensive test day (evil smile)
3. Tape measure...now this is so funny to me. each of my SPs has sent me one of these...what hint am I not getting, hmmm?
4. A fuzz buster sweater depiller thingy-do...excellent, excellent.
5. Unidentifiable pink do-dad-clippy thingies...I have no idea...what are they? lol
6. Stitch markers! Love the red ones, especially :)
7. Loofah/soap combo...now just this very morning I was having the toughest time getting up and going. I was in the middle of showering when I remembered my lovely Knitty SP sent me invigorating citrus bath stuff. I hoped out of the shower and rummaged around the gift box but no soap. Oh well, I'll just use the citrus lotion after I shower. But soap came today...and later I anm having my apartment (bath especially) swept for spying devices...that's uncanny! How did she know!
8. Yummy Hot Apple cider and Hot Chocolate...it dropped 30 degrees on friday so fall/winter has officially begun and I need warm drinks for my cockels (sp?...whatever).
9. Phantom chocolate...already devoured by classmates...they say thank you!
10. Cute postcard from my SP!
11. Mission falls cotton...yup, 5 count 'em. Lovely to make my niece something for Easter. She was not blessed with my uneven olive complexion thankfully *sigh*
11. Safe Sex yarn box....courtesy of her no-way-anyone's-getting-that-box-open-without-devine-intervention package wrapping fool of a hubby...we love him...lol

Mini update, tiny really...

Life has been chaotic. Seems the end of summer/beginning of Fall is student unfriendly. Even my lovely SP (nonKnitty) wrote me recently about the demands of classes. I know this too well. Mine occur 6 days a week...and I get one to rest/clean then back to the "grind" I enjoy what I do, but yes, life is chaotic. No worries SP, I know you'll get the last gift out to me when you can. I myself am delayed with my nonKnitty downstream SP. I am waiting to hear from them before sending on the next box. We haven't chatted in a while and I want to make sure the address I have is still correct. She gets a little extra spoiling due to my delay.

On the knitting front, there have been a few posts on the Knitty board about the "My So Called Scarf" pattern and some really cute results. What the heck, I'll give it a try. Try 1 needs to be frogged and tried on larger needles. I do not have larger metal circs so that is on hold. I had forgotten about the gorgeous ball of Trendsetter Dune grass & sky colorway I picked up in August while out of town. Just one as the budget is in the redish zone so...that's another story just insert a HUGE Grad school sigh here.

ANYWAY, I grabbed the US13 clover bamboo circs ( I prefer to knit on circs even for flat) and gave Try 2 a go. Naturally the bamboo is the wrong choice for mohair but that's all I had. I knit (read struggled) here and there in class yesterday and managed to complete 10 inches. Yes, yes I am a slow knitter AND I have to look at what I am doing AND I'm a thrower. It's a wonder why I continue to knit...just kidding. Oddly, I function better when multitasking.

In other news, I hate Dell. More accurately, I hate the fact that Dell has done away with their deeper discounts just as I was decided on ordering a laptop. Honestly, the type I need to do the things i need to do is about $1200 - $1400. Dell used to run specials of $750 off $1400, etc. Well, they didn't hit their forcasted revenue for last quarter and have rethought their pricing. They are gambling that higher prices will = higher revenue for Dell. Time will tell, but for now I an SOL on a laptop. Here's a little WIP and yarn p0rn. Enjoy.

Lookie!

This is the first package I received from my Canadian (yes, I know you are!) SP from Knitty's SP6. My SP had this in the mail the day after the matched member names were sent out! My SP and I have many other things in common and they have a great ability to know what I like and will make me smile. Though, i am very easy going and just love getting things in the mail. Since starting my degrees 6 hours or more away from family and friends, it is so much fun to get little care packages in the mail! I'm such a sucker for a thoughtful gift :)

Although my SP sent my package out in record speed, I was heading home to see family and take a short side trip to North Carolina and would miss getting the package till I returned. Turns out it took a little longer to get home. I was delayed in NC due to Hurricane Katrina moving north after ravaging the Gulf Coast. (My thoughts, prayers and whatever finalcial support I can send are with you folks). After arriving back to my family in NY, I decided to delay my return and spend a bit more time with my mother. I don't get to see her more than once every 3 months or so. Love student life. Thankfully, I have less than a year to go. I have not started the official countdown but I'm sure I will at some point soon.

Back to the lovely gift. I was able to FINALLY retrieve it from the mailroom on Tuesday after the Labor Day holiday. I sat in my car and pondered the box a moment. Do I have something to open this? I thought to myself. I turned it and flipped it over searching for a vulnerable spot, but none was found. Why you ask? Because it was hermetically sealed with clear packaging tape! The box had a thin but amazingly impenetrible sheath that encased every last bit of the cardboard container. Hope nothing requires air in there. Certainly nothing is getting in OR OUT! I'm sure my SP did this to ensure it got to me intact. Well it did, and it may have very well stayed intact if I didn't locate tools to get in. I looked around and found I ball point pen. I punctured the seal along the center seam. I then took my keys out of the ignition, and with the toothiest one I cound find on the key ring, proceeded to saw through the now perforated tape. Once the center seam was opened, I tried to pull the flaps open. Yeah, right. I tugged and pulled and the tape just stretched and stretched. Arrrrrrrrgh! Yup, you know it. I got the trusty pen and keys out again and with a little frustration and shear desire to see what was IN the box, I got that sucker open. Have to love MacGuyver moments...lol. And see what was IN the box?

Immediately, the bright and energetic colors did their job. I had been blue lately because of many things happening lately on a personal level as well as National so these colors cheered my up! The lovely silver organza lined basket held a bright orange bath scrubber, citris smelling lotion and salt scrub. I LOVE salt scrub, sugar scrub, you name it. It does wonders for my uber dry skin. Yes, this italian has dry skin. Blame my thyroid, I do. When your African Americam friends tell you, "Girl, your elbows are ashy!", you listen.

Next came the pretty irredescent/pealrized gift bag. Inside were secret things wrapped in baby pink tissue paper. The secret things were:

• A small container of Udderly Smooth cream....my SP know me. Maybe my dry skin in legendary? No there's a thought!
• A lovely decorative fish that made me laugh... have I mentioned I love Nemo?
• A Friendship Crystal candle that contains a hidden crystal that revels itself after the candle is burned...okay, this is embarassing, but I sort of forgot to mail my payment to the eletric company and ...poof! Lights out. So, umm yeah I used the candle already...LOL
• Tootsie Roll Lip Balm...ahhhhh, all the taste and none of the calories AND it means I can smell/taste chocolate ALL DAY...genius!
• Small orange tote with sunny yellow trim....what a happy little bag! It's just perfect to tote arounf a small lace project or whatever. Love it!

Thank you wonderful SP! You and I are going to get along just fine ;)

I have to say that I have been VERY fortunate to have such lovely people gift me in these fun SPs I have participated in. Life is good :)

Sorry for the blurriness...you know my camera woes at this point. See the little suitcase? :)

Finally! Batteries in the camera AND it is working correctly....so drumroll for the lovely contents of my Knitty SP4 package from my not-so-annonymous SP, MissJulie! She sent two skeins of KPs Wool of the Andes in a darker rose color, "Mulled Wine". I have been curious about this yarn so I am thrilled to have some to try. Next is an adorable tape measure that she thought would go well with my favorite old French and Italian posters (see Le Chat Noire icon above right). The best part is the little pull tab is in the shape of a suitcase. (see picture 2 for a close up). Now Miss Julie makes stitch markers and has a kick butt tutorial on her blog. She was hesitant to send me a few during the SP for fear that I would figure out her identity so she sent a few in the final package. They currently reside on my WIP (Clapotis) which I sadly forgot in the car. But, just know that the markers are wonderful and I thank her for those. Wait, there's more...some pretty post it notes that are a fav design of hers and naturally a lovely note with a silhouette that I think resembles her (I hope she sees this comment as a compliment because it is!) Awesome job, Miss Julie. It was truly fun to be spoiled by you!

May I present: Herring Red

It wants to be a scarf for a friend's hubby, but doesn't quite know what pattern it wants to be...dilemma. Wish I knew colorwork...

Ummmm...no

I was aiming for a deep, blood red but it came out a little too light. I'll head to the store in a bit to get more Koolaid and re-dye it later after it rests a bit. Last thing I need is felted yarn.

Gobsmacked...

Yup, I said it. It's my word for today. I mean really, how the heck else can I describe the shear generosity of my SP from SP5 (non knitty).
*silence as I ponder and list all the goodies*...mind you some were shared and eaten immediately upon opening the box.
Let's start...
- the GINORMOUS skein of homespun. It's the size of my cat for goodness sake! I'm in love...ahhhh, cigarette please...
- 2 skeins of Paton's Classic Wool Merino in color 202. My SP knows I'm on the verge of Koolaid dying any day now. How correct she is. I love messy projects that yield pretty things :)
- 2 skeins of ArtYarns Supermerino in what can only be described as every color configuration. Divine....you also left a tag on it that says Commuknity...I'll hold off being a nosy snoop for a few days, but then all bets are off! LOL
- LATHER brand body wash in Yuzu scent I guess is the name. It's my SP's fav scent from this company and I can see why. Very pretty and subtle...perfect choice for me and I get to share one of your fav items with you...awesome!
- Chihuly Over Venice art postcards. One of my favorite art glass artists...you rock, SP!
- Chihuly at the V & A - 32 wonderful postcards....you DOUBLE rock, SP! I LOVE postcards becasue you can frame one or some and put them in small places or use in a pretty series. They will be PERFECT to decorate/personalize my office walls and make it into my own work sanctuary *sighs*
- Lanternmoon sheep tape measure - Now, how cool is it that my SP wrote in her note that her BF picked that out for me? Hug that man...NOW!
- CHOCOLATE!!!!! Not one, but 3 kinds. The FRAN box hide delicious wafer sticks dipped in chocolate...I shared this with my chocoholic "boss" on campus. We both sat in silence for a second and then the "mmmmmm" chorus started! My super SP also sent along Twix and Nestles Crunch in dark chocolate. *Swoons*
- A lovely note from my very special SP explaining my goodies and outing her BF as an SP shopping helper...again, hug this man.

SP, what can I say...You spoil me so and I LIKE it! LOL Thank you in every language!

Bad camera, bad camera!

Sorry to my wonderful Knitty SP (who deserves extra gushes) for the delay (see why she deserves extra gushes!)in posting pictures of all the pretties they sent a few weeks back.
My cr*ppy digital camera did NOT want to cooperate. I had a friend take a peek at it and seems to be behaving better now. Okay, so this is what I got for my 2nd Knitty SP4 package:

- Araucania Nature Wool
- Some fizzy bath salts that my SP highly recommends (yay!)
- Some bath confetti (1st time I've seen this bath goody)
- A teal and plum sample of chenille
- The cutest little zen garden (LOVE IT!) for my desk,
- A great note

...and it was all wrapped SO nicely in the purple paper and ribbon...couldn't wait for the camera to behave to post a pick of her lovely wrapping, I was WAY to impatient to get to my goodies! Thank you SP!

I was expecting bills...but I got this instead!

Some very pretty pretties from my SP!

Shamefully, I am participating in two different Secret Pals, one SP5 and Knitty's SP4. I believe this is package 1 from my SP5er. They rock!

Cascade 220...hmmmmm, dilemma....knit or felt? Knit or felt...? What a nice problem to have, eh? LOL

Oh and I have to admit that I generally don't like chenille. But, that was because I had a bad experience with a cheap store bought sweater that shed like crazy. My SP sent me 2 gorgeous skeins of dark teal CP cotton chenille that even I like! No, what am I going to make...hmmmm....

SP5 QUESTIONNAIRE! (non-Knitty)

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?I'm a snob, I guess. I just get the willies from most acrylic and its blends. It's like certain fabrics just feel weird to me. Same idea. That being said, I do use blends, but they can't be acrylicic/Squeaky, etc. Not a fan of scratchy or stiff fibers...unless they get very soft and non-scratchy post laundering. Being that I am new, I am still getting to know fiber characteristic and behaviors.


2. Do you spin? Crochet?I don;t do either but I REALLY want to learn to spin and dye. Eventually, I'd like to pick out an alpaca or sheep and start the process from there. But, that is a while away. If I end up in the right climate with adequate time and property, I would love to own my own animals and a few spinning wheels.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)I am allergic to smoke, dairy, lilacs and really dislike bananas. (smell aversion!) LOL

4. How long have you been knitting?Since Jan 2005

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?No, but IÂ’ll make one up and post it to my blog :)

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)Citrus (orange, tangerine)is invigorating and clean. Light and clean scents are best. I don't wear much perfume in case others are sensitive to it.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Well, I occasionaision like to indulge. I like dark chocolate and milk chocolate. No cherry cordials, though. Ugh!

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?At the moment I don't have much time so it is limited to knitting and maybe spinning soon. Eventually, I will get into stained glass, glass blowing and pottery. Blown glass/art glass is a big interest of mine :) I'm about 1.5 hours from Corning Museum of glass and will eventually take lessons. Books on art glass from favorite artists like Lino Tagliapietra, Dante Moroni, Dale Chihuly, etc. would be great.
I like interesting and easy ethnic recipes and have an interest in acupuncture and chiropractic.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)I like most music that is not to any extreme. No super twangy country, hardcore rap, head banging heavy metal, or opera. I tend to listen to fusion type music than blends together different things. Like Indie music, Carlos Santana, etc. And yes, homemade CDs are great :)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? ItÂ’s easier to say what I avoid/hate. I don't like green other than celery or deep, dark green maybe some olives. I also am not a fan of yellow. Both of these shades look TERRIBLE against my olive skin...lol I think if you stay away from yellow, green and yellow-orange, yellowed-toned colors, you should be fine.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?I have two cats in a small apartment at the moment. I will be moving and expanding to a house in the next two years.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)To be able to enjoy all that I have worked so hard to achieve and help as many folks as I can. House on a lake with my hubby and family including a bunch of animals anf lots of travelling the world.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?I'm still new to most fibers so I really don't have a "favorite" yet. But it's safe to say that I like natural fibers and would love to try weird fiber like bamboo, etc. I just donÂ’t see a need to knit with scratchy fibers or with very bulky either as I'm always running in the hot side.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?See #1 and 7

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?Hmmm...summer light short sleeve tops I can wear this summer. Unfortunately I still need help with sleeves, armholes, etc. I'm a bit of a practical knitter...knit what I need.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?Don't have a favorite one yet.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Summer top, baby cardigan, lace shawl and a scarf.

18. What do you think about ponchos?I'll probably make one of those rectangular ones but really I wish they would just go away!

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Circular, please. I'm seriously thinking of changing over to 40-47" circs (Addi, Addi natura, or Inox Express...have not completely decided which)

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?bamboo because I'm a new knitter, but have tried Addi-like inoz express and like them too.

21. Are you a sock knitter?Have not tried yet, but will after this projects are complete.

22. How did you learn to knit?Italian Grandmother when I was 13. I dropped it a few months later. A classmate retaught me in Jan 2005 and have been going strong ever since. IÂ’m hooked.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?1.5 months

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?Sebastian the crab from the Little Mermaid.

25. What is your favorite holiday?Chrsitmas and Halloween (gets the creative costume juices going)

26. Is there anything that you collect?No, but I will begin collecting art glass as soon as I am settled into a house. I want to buy direct from the artisans.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?IK so far.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?I don't really have time for leisurely reading. Sad, but true. But I generally like books on travel and learning about interesting places I may someday go to.

Under rennovation

I had to change the colors. Actually, I had planned to do this a month ago, played around with a few things but always changed back to the old familiar. Don't get me wrong, I love the original warmer color scheme, but I wanted to embrace the cooler. crisper tones of spring and summer.

I'll be messing with the template a bit more to get it where I like it. Right now, the colors are a bit "sharp" on the eyes.

More knitting updates and pictures will be posted this weekend.

Branching out...Again

Such a wonderful pattern, but I needed to keep away from it for a few weeks due to shear frogging frustration. But it has gotten better. I only messed up twice and it took me about two hours. But, just as I was congratulating myself for a job well done, what do you think caught my eye? A little pesky lost stitch about 4 rows down. Not having a needle handy to immediately secure it in place, I put a piece of tape over it to be dealt with later. Very Scarlet O'Hara of me, I know, but why ruin a good knitting groove!

I was going to say when I think I may be done with this project, but every time I estimate, I'm ALWAYS behind schedule. Therefore, this project will be finished Wheneva ;)

The color is not quite right onscreen. It is a more of an olive.

In other news, I also placed an order for some custom handpainted yarn. I'll divulge the details when it gets here...so excited!

Yeah, yeah, I know...better than catnip!

He loved that old sweater. Maybe I'll find a way to weave it into a Kitty Pi bed for him by Wendy Knits! Yes, the rug IS busy...but it was free so who am I to complain! 

Look what showed up at my door!

Granted, it was a few days ago and the camera couldn't be found but without further chit chat...My 1st SP4 package! :)
3 Skeins of Knitpicks Shine in Turquoise
Angels & Devils book....same author as the DaVinci Code
A sweet little stained glass-esque coloring book (I LOVE art glass)
And a great note from my very own SP :)

Thank you for everything!  

What's my line...

Yup, that's one of the boys, caught at juuuuust the right moment...imagine what I'll do to my kids..."No, honey...I PROMISE I won't bring in THAT picture of YOU when I come talk to your class for Career Day..."

I posted this on the Knitty board to see what creative captions would come to the silly, and generally twisted minds of the members.  What's the first thing that comes to your mind? 

You can post yours in the comments.

 

...and the after, unravelling, that is.  

The before.... 

We now interrupt your weekend...

Music is playing, dishwasher, washer and dryer are singing along and I can see my floor! Spring cleaning is well underway here today. The weather is just so gloomy, as usual for this area. I guess I got spoiled with the previous 10 days of sunshine. Weather report says it will rain for the next 10. Time to dust off my "I hate gray weather" face...I need to move. Love the area, hate the weather.

On the relocation front, a few kind souls have given their input on the best location. So far, Oregon, North Carolina and Vancouver are the front runners.

Knitting will resume once the place is officially tidy, the extra has been freecycled and a feeling of inner contentment over my nesting accomplishments washes over me.

And another day passes

That was it. The last "t" crossed and "I" dotted and I'm glad of it. Short break ahead and I'm itching for a road trip with winding green roads and blue sky.

Frogged Branching out again. For once it would be nice to get through something sans frogging. I tried to tick my way out but, as this was my first lace project, it was a bit hard.
*sigh*
On the bright side....The yarn looked like coiled curling ribbon...Oh yeah, that's not necessarily a good thing...lol

I think I'll take the night off and knit tomorrow.
Mantra...I will knit 5 repeats, I will knit 5 repeats, I will...blah, blah, blah.

PS...Have you seen the new KnitPicks cotton yarns? I want some! I have an order in my head that will have to wait a few weeks as I decide what I want to do with them. Maybe a few baby kimonos, a jumper for my niece and another for my might-as-well-be-my niece. Nephew will get a bright red cotton/wool sweater with his favorite logo du-jour. I think Thomas is passe' and he's on to....hmmm....Have to ask the sis about that.

That Bad Penny is on the chair mocking me...

Movin' on...

The new Knitty Spring came out and I've been waiting for things to settle down a bit before starting anything. Only three more days and then I can get back to turning these WIPs into FOs. As is stands, I have Bad Penny and Wavy on the needles. These will be completed first as there are already halfway there. Branching out will be next and I'm contemplating two very special things with that patterns...more on that as it happens. Promise. Oops! Sorry, I forgot about I DO. So pretty!

Soleil will be the next top I attempt and Alexandra, the designer, is working on a sleeved version which she will make available for purchase on her site.

So much to do and I'm on the hunt for some great yarns and a few recycling opportunities. I'm thinking of taking apart my favorite sweater in the hopes of knitting it back to life in a similar form. More on it's progress later.

It's that time!

One of the Knitty Board members had a great idea...flash your stash, yup all of it for one day. My digital decided not to play and so my flash is "delayed" but hoping to get that going this weekend.

So, thank you to Zibibbo for a fabulous way to unite us all for a day of "FIBEROTICA"!

Mark the date
April 1st of next year
......and FLASH YOUR STASH!

1 Skein = 74 rows = 11 inches

 

The past few mornings have been busy. Spring is on the way and it has given me a bit more energy. Things are getting done faster and the dreariness of winter is finally starting to fade...even if it did snow 4 inches last night.

I was able to get a full skein finished on WAVY while I waited in between appointments. I went over assignments last night and got a good part done to another one this morning at the coffeeshop in town. I'll start another skein on WAVY tonight.

Early start to Wavy scarf...

So, I'm about two inches in to Wavy and finally going along smoothly. I'm using Berrocco Uxbridge Tweed in a dark maroon colorway which has bits of burnt orange, olive and white. I got it in the clearance bin from my LYS. I needed something fairly indescructable and manly as this is going to a friend's hubby. I made scarves for all but him so far. He'd better like it! lol 

And so it begins

A few of us on the Knitty Board decided to work on Bad Penny, a great ss top for Spring/Summer designed by Stefanie Japel of Glampyre Knits. Naturally, A Kal page was needed so now we have one.

Testing...and welcome to my blog

....yeah, even I can't believe it did it either! Yet, it seemed needed somehow :)

I hope to have pictures soon. Thanks for hanging in there with me.