Finished Objects and other Cool Stuff

Last Weekend was my brothers Birthday he turned 40 and here are a couple of hats I knit up for the occasion.



Its been some time since my last post and I have been knitting--really I have. Here are some additional things I completed for May's Project Spectrum. I tried to stick to just green but sometimes its a little hard to knit just one color. I confess I deviated a little on my sweater socks--My very first pair by the way. I knit these Toe Up using 2 circs with Malabrigo yarn in Magenta. I really like the pooling of the bright green and purple. I am pretty proud of these. They came out nice considering its my first pair.



Other Project Spectrum items include a Bandana for me and a Postcard for my pal Sara:

Looky Looky What I Got from my SP8

My SP8 The Naughty Elfin Rocks! Check out what I got in the mail this weekend:


I've been wanting this book for a while and can't wait to start reading it, and Wow aren't these stitch markers beautiful! They seem hand made--they are just stunning! I could not resist. I had to cast on for something immediately. Of course, I had been itching to get started on an instant gratification project--and what best to do the job? The green Gedifra bandana that I wanted to make for one of the May - Project Spectrum items. So here is a couple of shots of the first few rows of my bandana and the stitch markers in action:



Thanks Secret Pal --This totally made my weekend!

Mothers Day Shopping Spree - Stash Enhancement Yea!

This post is a little late --But as I always say

Better Late than Never!

Boy did I have a wonderful Mothers Day Weekend On Saturday we had a picnic at Lake Del Valle with the family --my mom and mother in law were there too. We had a very relaxing day by the lake, good food, and lots of fun and games. Here is a picture of me and my son:

The next day - Sunday we went out for breakfast, then went to church and immediately following; my husband took me to Imagiknit for a Mother's day shopping spree whoopie!

ImagiKnit in San Francisco was having a 30% off sale and I scored some awesome Australian Merino by PearTree products. This stuff is incredibly soft (makes me want to find more). I plan to make a chunky shawl for the Neutrals month of Project Spectrum. I'm Still figuring out which one--perhaps it will be the begginers shawl from "A Gathering of Lace" we will see.


After the shopping spree, I headed off to SkeinLane in El Cerrito for part II of my Toe Up on circulars lesson. Later I came back we had dinner and topped things off with a nice movie.

Other Mothers Day yarn stash enhancements included:

2 Skeins of Claudia Handpainted Sock yarn in: Dark Olive (socks 2b for husband) and 1 ball of Gedifra Disrato in green for a "Mac and Me" Winter Bandana. Here is a picture the bandana pattern:


4 Skeins of Scouts Hand Painted Swag Sock yarn in: Tharzay, Hot Fudge & Blueberries, Fruit Salad, and Pumpkin Smores:


7 Skeins of the oh so beautiful Malabrigo in the following colors: 3 - Seleccion Privada A, K, J. 1 black, 1 Loro Barranquero , 1 Vaa, and 1 in Tortuga. The Seleccion Privada A (left most skein) is going to live with Stacey from Sheep in the City. Stacey has become enfatuated with this yarn (can you blame her!) and the Loro Barranquero is going to gifted to one of my swaparama pals..TBD.

Finally, there is some Vesper sock yarn coming my way along with some Sock Hop yarn--Pictures later.
I guess you could say I've been busy Hee Hee...After all, Living on the West Coast and all made it a little hard getting out to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. See what happens when jealousy strikes!

Guess Who Met Debbie Stoller?

Yup I met her while she visited Art Fibers in San Francisco to do a book review for "The Happy Hooker". She seems really nice --I did not have too much time to chat as my husband and little boy were waiting for me in the car. While I personally felt a bit rushed it was all good. She was great, she showed us a bunch of the projects from the book and talked about them. And she was wearing the outfit from the cover of her book. She is pretty down to earth.

All in all it was nice to see her in person.

Here a couple of shots of her at ArtFibers:




Oh and by the way, Guess who sent me an email yesterday? My Secret Pal - Naughty Elfin:) This is so exciting I cant wait to see who it is --I'll have to pay attention to the clues as this all unfolds over the next 3-4 months of SP8...

Project Color Swap Green Goodies Arrived!!!

WoooHooo! I just got home and look what was waiting for me on my doorstep!

I could not wait to open it! I rushed in, put everything down and look at what I found! All these Wonderful Color Swap Goodies - All Green Themed from my wonderful Pal Lu.


Thanks so much Lu! I cant wait to start using the Kiss My Face Items and try those yummy pear candies. As for the yarns --they are all awesome. I already have plans for the Noro - Lily Skein- I will be turning this into a lovely headband from the pattern Knit & Tonic whipped up a couple of days ago. Check it out--don't you agree the Lily yarn is just made for this!

Sock Yarn - Stash Enhancement

After catching the Sock Bug in a bad way --I've been shoping for Sock Yarn .... Of course, I had no sock yarn to begin with so I have been ravenously trying to acquire the best out there. Can I say that --I absolutely love, love, love Socks That Rock and Julia's Vesper Sock Yarn. Another great find is "Scouts Painted Swag" I have a couple of those in the mail to me that I should receive next week. Other nice finds are Claudia's HandPainted, and Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock.

Look at all the lovely yarns I have acquired:

Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock

Knitterly Things - Vesper Sock Yarn

Other Photos of Recent Sock Yarn - Stash Enhancments

Secret Pal 8 - Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? My favorite yarn right now is MalAbrigo from Uruguay --its just like butter! I also like Colinette Point 5, Lornas Laces, Vesper Sock Yarn, Claudia Hand Painted, and the oh so beautiful Socks that Rock!!! I guess this makes me a Yarn Snob:) I don't usually go for scratchy yarns. Unless they are linen or hemp which are supposed to be like that.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a needle case for my circulars and a Jordanna Paige Knitting tube for my straits.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have been knitting for 2+ years. I would consider myself --Intermediate to advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Amazon is up and running. I need to figure out the Knitpicks one too.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Any fresh scent, citrus, flowers, fruits are nice too.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Yes, I like Nuts and chews, gummy candy, sours, exotic chocolates like Vosges.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do not spin -I have been getting into cards and post card making lately.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Jazz, salsa, soft rock --no hip hop. I am sure I have MP3 if not my husband does.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I like most colors, earth tones, reds, burgandies, greens, yellow, pink, bright colors are nice too. NO Neons please.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married and have one little boy. No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear all of these except for ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Hats, shawls, purses, and lately socks--I am starting to get into socks.

13. What are you knitting right now? A couple of beanies for my brother, A flower basket shawl, 3 pairs of socks, a dishrag, a clapotis, and last but not least a toddler blanket.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes - they are more meaningful.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I use all of these except for plastic.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I have both.

17. How did you learn to knit?
One of my co-workers thought it would be a good to start a "Stitch&Bitch here at work. We agreed and she taught us all how to knit--A learn how to knit group session. The rest is history. We have been meeting at lunch every Wednesday for the past 2 years.

18. How old is your oldest UFO? 5 months --this would be the toddler blanket

19. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas!!!!

20. Is there anything that you collect? Hearts, Knitting nitnacks, jewlery boxes, pins

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Interweave Knits. Books I have a list going at Amazon.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I'd like to learn needle felting. I'd like to learn how to make a sweater and get better at making socks.

23. Are you a sock knitter? I am just getting into socks and I am very excited about this--I have been shopping for cool sock yarns: Lornas Laces, Socks that Rocks, Vesper Sock yarn, Scouts Knitted Swag, Cludias Hand Painted, Spunky Eclectic. What are your foot measurements? I wear a size 9.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd: July 24th

Project Spectrum - May

All things Green! Green Oh so soothing Green - Here I come!!!
Look at all the beautiful yarn that awaits me... Here is some of my stash that will be used up and the knitting projects that I have chosen for May:

This beautiful Blue Sky Cotton yarn will become a Summer Shawl --see picture propped up by the yarn


Additionally on my list of May Projects (not counting the post card swap):

1) The left most Cone is ArtFibers: Golden Chai color #10 - This will be a Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark
2) ArtFibers yarn in Tsuki and Rune - This will become a Loopy & Luscious Scarf
3) Some Appletinni Sock Yarn from "Scouts Knitted Swag" check her out at http://scoutj.blogspot.com/ --this of course is a pair of toe up socks
4) My first finished May project --a Monster Hat for my brother who is turning 40 on the 19th. This kit I bought from KPIXIE --made by http://www.insubordiknit.com/





I will try to work on additional items as time permits. Mothers day is killing me right now. Not to mention the kniting classes that have sucked up some of my time: Knitting Lace and Toe Up Socks.