Stitches Midwest 2014

I’ve been so busy with my daughters birthday, going back to school and cheerleading that I’ve only now just taken a picture… heck there is even a project on the needles because I’ve cast on something already.

(L to R) Black Wolf Ranch Alpaca Merino blend, Erin Lane bucket bag, Huntington in 3 colors, I won the Sterling Silver shawl pin as a door prize, Aussi Wool (navy blue - 5 skeins for sweater for my daughter), Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in 2 colors, Brooklyn Tweed Loft in 3 colors, Fringe Supply Co stitch markers, Signature Needle, Woolpierogi rolags, Erin Lane bag and 2 of the Freia gradients… one is already on the needles;)

Most of what you see in the middle will be going into the 'Design Pile'.... which makes me super happy because the Brooklyn Tweed yarns are just so beautiful. I wanted to buy them all, but alas that wasn't possible. sigh.

There was so much to look forward to at this years Stitches. I was very pleased with the amount of new vendors and ridiculously awesome Indy Dyers there.

Stitches 2013

Another year, another Stitches. Specifically another Stitches Midwest.



The haul that I brought home is sooooo full of goodies, that it just makes me smile. I did notice that I heavy on the Green this year and how can you not fall in love with these precious gems.

Major highlights: 6 skeins of Madelinetosh Pashmina in the Forestry colorway from the Webs booth, 8 skeins of Glenfiddich Wool in the Spruce Heather colorway, Another Crafty Girl, Miss Babs, 2 lace silky baby camel skeins from Cephalopod Yarns, buttons, beads, blocking mats, signature needle, Cloud Lover fiber, 10 skeins of Silky Wool in brown and Erin Lane bags.

 I'm having such a great time playing with all my goodies. What a great weekend, full of friends, fiber and food.

Thinking Only Good Thoughts

Don't have time for much blogging...but sending good stuff your way as these are my good thoughts that I've been seeing and playing with.



Tile is in... Grout this weekend. Good times.



The bridge to the modern section of the art museum is open.



Love the new view point of the city... it's a must see.



New yarn arrived and I get to swatch for the Faery Ring this weekend. Love the Ginger color in this Cascade 220. Little bit of brown and red...Love.It.

Enjoy

Totally had to get out of the office this afternoon to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and blooming garden in the park.



I was trying to get some creative shots with blurred backgrounds, but it was a little hard to concentrate when tourists keep getting in the way and then the security was nagging me about how close I was getting to said flowers. OK DUDE, I get it. It wasn't like I was stepping in the flowerbed or anything, sheeesh.



The dark red/purple tulips are named Queen Of The Night and the lovely bright pink are named Don Quichotte. And how do I know this? Why I'm an expert in tulips...yeah right. The lovely garden lady at the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park told me all about them.

When I have some time to go back and talk tulips... I'm seriously going to hunt that lady down.

~swoon~

Just found out that... omg... get this... Melissa Leapman is coming to Chicago!!!

[faint]

Friday

I know... boring title. Whateverrrrr. I'm in a mood. That mood is called Get-the-hell-away-from-me-because-all-I-want-is-to-be-home-in-bed.

If my body is telling me this, then I must comply. I simply refuse to get sick. Not gonna happen my friends.



I've been taking advantage of a few walks around the city and I've taken my camera along to get some practice shots in. I'm still only on exercise one, but I figured over the weekend I'll read a little more on the next exercise and try a few new moves. I'm liking getting to know my camera.

I have been knitting up a storm and will give updates on several things very soon. Cheers my peeps and if your in the area soak up this lovely weather we're having.

Smooches!

Graffiti at the Jamba Juice

You're probably thinking to yourself... Graffiti in Chicago, so what. But hold on, this is no ordinary graffiti, were talking knitfiti.

Just take a closer look at this:



How cool is that? Knitting and crocheting just dripping from every handle, frame and chair in the store.



Not a bad idea for a promotional teaser on Jamba's new oatmeal product. I am curious to see how the general public takes this wacky concept.

FO: Ravelympics Event

Event: Sweater Sprint

Team: Team Chicago

Pattern: Bistro Shirt from Oat Couture

Yarn: 8 skeins of Classic Elite Attitude (discontinued)

Needles: US 7 circ's

Start Date: August 8, 2008

End Date: August 22, 2008

Comments: The only thing I changed was adding ribbing instead of slip stitches on the edges and collar. The next big thing is this...



Miss Mac just has to pass on the everyone out there that "Yesssss, I'm FOUR"

Just Keep Knitting...

Today is my last day before vacation. Sweet, lovely holiday. This is were I do nothing. Besides hangin' with the folks and moseying along each day. The preparation for taking a week off is busting my arss the week before and then busting it up again the week after.

My vacation ends with a bang at Stitches Midwest and I'm a little concerned that I'm not fully prepared. I mean my homework is done, yet what will I wear? What shoes will be the best for shopping for hours in and around 200 booths! What bag should I bring to carry all my goodies? sigh. I guess it's not so bad, yet I don't want to forget my pajamas. That has always been the one consistent thing I've forgotten in past trips.

Well, we can't forget the most obvious of all things... what will I bring to knit? Oh Gosh... I haven't a clue.



I'm guessing my Ravelympic event will be done by then, since this is the front and I'm about a third of the way through. Maybe a sock... portable is always good.

Last night I made up a batch of Calico Bean Dip and I couldn't stand it and had it for breakfast. Thanks Janice for this lovely recipe, I seriously can't get enough. Here is the only evidence left after I ran out of scoops... I'm considering licking the bowl;)



On another bit of random news...



This bag is so cute. On my way to the train I spotted this lovely thing and had to take a picture of it. I'm not one of those girls that can spot the designer bag from 50 paces or anything... but it's just so cute. Now if I could only figure out what it is... Anyone else have a clue?

As If You Didn't Know

Can you guess what my favorite color is?



I bet you don't have a clue;)

This morning I finished the back of my Bristo Shirt and with the needles free I took advantage and did some swatching.



They yarn is Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed. My brain is turning to mush and I can't seem to get gauge on 10.5, 11 or size 13's. The number stitches per inch is the same on all of them. Why is gauge so cruel?

Let The Games Begin

Today at 7:00 a.m. was the official starting time for Chicagoans to cast-on their Ravelympic events. I chose a event that would be challenging and yet saw as a possibility of completion.

I have joined Team Chicago for the Sweater Sprint event and think I will do fairly well. As my commute started today, so did my challenge.



The first cast-on consisted of K2, Slip 1 style... it turned out unsuccessful in winning me creative points in this category. I chose to take a point deduction and restart with a K1, P1 ribbing. I think in the end when all points are tallied you will see I was wise in this decision.

I have 17 days people. When the ending ceremonies for the Olympics is upon us I should have a finished object to present.

Knitting Companions

These little guys hung out with me while I took a break to knit in the park. Chicago nature life; if your spend any time in the city, we loving call the pigeons: rats with wings. Which is totally realistic. I couldn't even tell you what breed these scavengers are, but they don't mind getting close. Yeah, two feet close.

Someone had left a few chip crumbs and they were taking advantage. The next thing you know this Bird Lady comes walking by with a bag of sliced bread. sigh. Why is it that she thought it was okay to toss bread pieces a couple of feet away from where I'm sitting? Because the next thing you know, every creature charges in from all pin points of the park to snack.

Thank goodness they didn't dive bomb me for my parfait. That would have been bad. Real bad. It's also a good thing these creatures don't like fiber;)



Windmill Beret was ripped and now back up and running. Totally get the pattern, I think;) Decided to follow Knitterary's idea of putting each section on separate needles. Loving the colors and totally hoping to have the colorway end on the orange. I can only hope.

Another Reason to hate Macy's

If your from the Chicagoland area, then you'll know my pain when I talk about loosing Marshall Fields. I can't say I was a regular patron of the MF but would go there for the "good stuff"... you know what I mean. They had the Cutest! baby stuff and pretty much anything for weddings. Lets also not forget the Frango Mints. At least we know that will stick around, but on occasion I would eat lunch in the basement deli.

I was most impressed with the grilled cheeseburger. It was done to your liking... medium rare please. The works got you lettuce, tomato and a slice pickle... lets not forget the fries and pop. All this for just over 7 bucks, which in the loop is not bad.

With Macy's taking over things, it has seriously gone down hill. I was passing by and thought, Hummm, a burger could really hit the spot. Lets just say I'm not going back. Have no reason to ever enter Macy's again. That is unless Vin Diesel happens to be there signing boobies...but I digress.

The burger was dry... they didn't even ask how you wanted it cooked! Then they put a huge dill pickle spear on the bottom of the damn thing and they don't even have the condiment packages anymore ... so no mayo or relish. Stupid Macy's.

Is It Winter In Chicago?

This picture was taken the first Friday of the year from my window. It's the Millennium Park Ice Skating Rink...if your interested it's open till March 16th. This shot got me thinking...is there a limit as to how many people are allowed on the rink? I just get visions of a pile up of bodies when someone takes a dive.

Now, what is up with the weather? Come on...it got up to 63 on Monday and I'm pealing the coat off, hoping for cool breeze off the lake...getting back to normal as of today.

Well, of course you don't want to hear me complain about warm weather...I should be happy for the relief. Here is some knitting content for you...

The Hot Coco Socks are on their way to being a FO!! Few more rows of rib cuff and done.




Fulmar is coming along smoothly. Not as fast as when I could knit on it all day long, but progress non-the-less.

Back To Normal

First off...I finished Harry Potter. wow. let the discussion begin.

This weekend I concentrated on the book and the sock knitting fell to the side. With the book out of the way I'm now back on schedule and have started the rib for my Harlotty cuffs.



Sunday was a lovely afternoon by the pool with friends. Big shout out to the Froebe Fiber Family! Talk about fun in the sun...I'm totally wiped today. Gotta go grab some more caffeine.

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And here is an odd advertising ploy that is on the streets of Chicago. C-3PO in the form of a mail box...



The postal service has gone Star Wars. I just had these flashes of the future, where androids are in control of the mail-postal-packaging world. Come to think of it...I don't think we're that far off.

I'm Buying Buttons

Guess why?

Thermal is seamed together! That's Why!!

I'll give the sweater a good soak and then block it tonight. Hopefully with pictures of a finished object later this weekend. Now, you know what that means right? I don't have a knitting project on the needles. Oh boy. So, this morning I grabbed my new handspun Kool-Aid yarn and slew of needles.



Swatching of a sweater for my little stinky. I started with size US 8s, no good. Moved to 7s...still to large. Okay, notice I didn't grab enough sizes and only had 3s with me. Okay, much better...but WTF!!! Another sweater on small needles? All I can say is I'm hoping that the size 4s or 5s work out because I really don't have a desire to knit a small sweater on small needles. Yes, I know it will go fast, but still...Size 3s!!!

Since I new that my commute time is longer then swatch time, I threw this lot into the bag and I've decided to put these suckers back on the needles. I think I'm going to experiment on the Judy's Magic Cast-On. So far so good.



Guess what else is going on in Chicago? Yep, if you've never been to the Taste of Chicago. Go.



There really isn't anything like it. Yes, it's crowded, but the food is worth it. Yes, it's expensive, but there are tips to experiencing the this yearly event. Since I work right across the street I usually go at least once a year. What you do is buy your tickets at your local Dominic's grocery store before you go (avoid the lines) and get your booklet of vendors. Plot your route, sit under the shaded trees and bring plenty of water. I don't bother with liquids and use my points toward my favorites. Connie's Pizza has a great mini-taste meatball sandwich and then you have to do the Eli's cheesecake. Hey you SnB gals...anyone wana do lunch next week on Monday or Tuesday?

Could I possibly talk about anything else? Of course I can. I need a new purse. I swear I go and buy these bags and a month later they're falling apart. So, I was thinking of upgrading and getting a satchel style to hold my wallet and knitting project. If you haven't seen these...Jordana Paige I leaning toward the red...or blue...heck green looks interesting too!!! For $89 it's really a good deal...I went to a bag store right down Michigan Avenue and most of the bags that fit this style where all $200 bucks, ouch! I don't know if I'll have the Patience to wait till Stitches in Aug to get a bag...humph.