I passed...

..let the celebration begin!

Pay it Forward Swap

It's Kris' fault. I'm part of the "Pay it Forward" Swap. This is a great idea to fuel my hat/scarf/washcloth obsession. So post a comment (even my anonymous swap buddies qualify, just indicate which swap it is, so once you're revealed, I can track you down)

"Here is how it works! I'll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog..."

Hideousness!

I shipped off my Ravelry swap today. I had everything except the yarn ready. My etsy seller ran into some shipping delays. I'm not a patient person. The 80 y of handspun she included she sent as a bonus totally made up for it. Now I have to decide what to make with it. Any ideas?

I've been spinning this hideous brown lint colored wool. Yesterday I had a nirvana moment. It's all in the pre-drafting. I went from lumpy slubbed coils to smooth perfection when that hit me. I'm thinking I am going to ply it with a bright turquoise embroidery floss.

I finished the neverending socks. They are truly hideous and I love them like only a sock momma can. I do like the Lorna's Laces much better than the Jitterbug. I will buy Lorna's Laces in groups of three from now on. One skein got me through one and a half socks. So three skeins could be two pairs of socks, or I could have easily made almost-knee socks from one skein. I'm eager to learn to knit toe up to see exactly how much length is in one skein.

Two days until bar exam results. I am a wreck.

Shh...I'm spinning!

It looks like my first handspun will end up being some brown chunky one ply. I have no idea what I will knit out of this. I'd like it to be something meaningful. Maybe a baby hat? I think that's what I'll end up with. Pictures to come. Then again, lumpy first-time spinner one ply probably all looks the same.

The Wish List..

When I was a kid, I used to love looking through catalogs and circling things I wanted. Not normal things, but entire lifes. Curtains, rugs, kitchenware, clothes, toys. You could design a whole life from the LookBook that came in the mail at Christmas. So here's been the equivalent of my wishbook lately.

First, I updated my etsy wishlist. Frequently, I'll favorite items I'm going to buy for other people. I removed all those, most of them by buying them.

Check this out:

Yarn, soap, a soap bag, a washcloth pattern. What more could you need?

Soak has a new wash out.

Yarn Pirate has fall colorways up. This one is so un-me, but I can't look away. It's stunning. Ever drawn to something inexplicitly? Like a moth to a flame...



That's all I've got. I've got socks on the needle. I'm working on the entrelac scarf. Scarf Month may not be as prolific as I thought it would be. It looks like I will have finished one and a half scarves unless I get into a tailspin and complete the Clementine.

SP11 Post - Contest

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
Stitch holder by far. How did I live without one of these? I am fast seeing the need for double point end protectors though, especially with my new Sox Stix. They're so short it's a bit scary.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Ifso, how much and what type of project?
Oh yes, usually all my works in progress. Right now that would be two socks and two scarves.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Tibet! I really want to take my husband there. There's just something so peaceful about Tibet and Nepal.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?
Mason-Dixon Knitting is my favorite that I own. I lust after Folk Socks and will probably request that on inter-library loan soon. I borrowed Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles from the library yesterday.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?
Yes, Lime and Violet and Stash and Burn. I need to put them on my iPod for when I'm at work. I work in a cubicle farm at the moment and all the chatter is very annoying.

The Dog Days..

I've had baby fever. Today it hit me though. I need action. And no, I don't mean lots of unprotected sex with the husband. Yes, he was disappointed too. Since we're adopting, action means paying off bills. So I am going to become a ebaying fool. I've also come up with some fun steps to save cash:

1. The library! I went today and got seven books, five of them knitting related. Reviews to come. What I'm REALLY excited about is the book "The Dog Whisperer" which is not by Cesar Milan, but some other guy. His approach is totally different than Cesar's which is good. I do not like Cesar's methods. Flooding a rescue dog is a dangerous thing. Rescue dogs have a lot of baggage that needs unpacking. That's best done slowly, carefully, and with thought. This book is really making me think about the way I've done things.

2. Grocery shopping! I spent $20 today (with double coupons, how mom-ish of me) to get frozen meals, oatmeal bars (review: yuck.), yogurt, and flavored water packages. I'll avoid eating out at lunch, and have fun books to read. Josh and I have picked out new recipes to try as well.

3. Garage sale! The Lab Rescue will be broke after two neuters, heartworm and flea meds. Yes, I owe $900 to us for Tick. However, in the meantime, we need cash. So, gigantic garage sale. Keep in mind it's been over 100 degrees for the last 10 days. So, the going has been slow. Hopefully the weekend after next I will have things together. Pictures to come. I've had 7 families donate items, so it's a bit insane now.

The long weekend was great. I needed it. I just finished two socks and cast on for mates. Tomorrow though, I'll be back at the scarves, I need a sock break!

Assimilating.

So I'm here in Elkins, which is near Fayetteville. The drive up in a sedan with two dogs and a 42" collapsed wire crate was interesting, but we made it.

Yesterday was my sister's birthday. She expressed interest in learning to knit, so we went to Handheld in Fayetteville. They carry quite a few brands that Little Rock doesn't. Namely, Rowan, Koigu, and Blue Sky. I picked up two skeins of Blue Sky cotton to start my sweater, and Alpaca Silk to finish my shawlette. Lindsey grabbed Stitch N' Bitch, a set of Addi Turbos, and two skeins of Koigu. Her first project is the baby blanket from Stitch N' Bitch. She's cast on several times and has knit and purl down.

I finished the neverending sock and cast on for its mate. Today I will finish one of my socks for the Sock it to Me Sock Swap and cast on again. Then hopefully tomorrow I'll run out of Noro on my entrelac scarf and it will have been a very productive knitting vacation.

SP 11 Questions

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love superwash wool, organic cotton, dishcloth cotton, and even acrylic blends. I'm not a fun fur fan. Simple is better when it comes to fiber content, I think. I really am liking the Alpaca Silk I have on the needles right now, and Noro is always a hit.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle folio that I'm going to put my needles in. I'd like a needle roll though.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've only been knitting since Christmas. I consider myself an advanced beginner. I still have some skills to learn, like cabling and finishing. I hope to start on my first sweater soon.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes

5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender, vanilla, geranium, rose

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh yes, Swedish Fish. Yum.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Scrapbooking! I just got a spindle but haven't figured it out yet. I also love cooking and houseplants.

8. 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 anything. Lately I've been into Belle and Sebastian, Ben Folds Five, anything acoustic with a folk bend to it.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
It changes. Right now it's green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married with two cats and two big dogs.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes, and nooooooo

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks! No more sock yarn though, please. I'm trying to sweater yarn stash now.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Two scarves and two pairs of socks.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, who doesn't? I treasure my washcloth and socks from my LJSP and Hogwart's Swap.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Anything but plastic. I'd really like some 24" size 2s for socks.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Tragically, no. I wind yarn in a ball the old fashioned way.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
3 months socks...they never end!

18. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday! June 22nd, so you're safe!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have no subscriptions. I love Interweave Knits, though I usually buy it as soon as it's out. If you check my Ravelry queue, I have 30 patterns. I don't have the yarn for any of them except the socks. I'll make a wishlist based on my queue soon so I know what to buy (and maybe you will too!). I like to receive things I'll use. So dishcloth cotton is always safe.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Cabling and colorwork

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, size 9 shoe, regular width

23. When is your birthday?
June 22nd

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yes, earnknittoownit

Yarnage

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Without pictures. I am an entrelac goddess. This scarf is so much fun! I should be ready to buy the other two balls of Noro when I reach Fayetteville on Friday. I am very excited about my trip. I hope to pick up the Noro and Blue Sky Alpaca I need to finish the entrelac scarf and Clementine shawlette. The shawlette is slow going but very satisfying. I wish I hadn't picked light pink as my color for this. I am not a light pink kind of person.

I decided not to take the entrelac class, and I'm so proud of myself for doing it on my own. Between this and my secret socks (which are a lace pattern) I'm gaining some extreme knitting self-confidence.

Will anyone be in the Fayetteville area? I should be there Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with the world's cutest niece.