Blogiversary 6.0

Can you believe I completely forgot to celebrate my blogiversary? I correlates along with my own birthday... and I'll tell you what. I never forget to celebrate that one!

So in celebration of blogging for 6 years, I'm running a little contest. I'm going to gift the random winner my newest ebook: Woobie Pattern Collection Series 2. You have until midnight September 25th to reply to this thread. All you have to do is tell me how you celebrate a birthday in style!

I'm pretty simple. I like to eat out, go to the show and possible hang with my knitting friends for the day. This past weekend I did all those. I even made cheese cake. Not just any cheese cake, but New York Style with cherries. Oh, it's so good and there is so much of it that it last all weekend.

Friday was my birthday and if my day-job wasn't on super-killer-stress-toxic-level-breakdown-mode then I would have taken the day off. After work we headed to Asian Harbor in Homewood. They serve all the classics but we wanted to partake in sushi. With tummies filled we had our son drive out to the grandparents house to drop Miss Mac for the weekend. The boy is getting better at driving, but still so much more to learn.

Saturday then was filled with fiber and friends. What a blast we had. Couldn't have asked for a better time. Thank you ladies for making my day special! We headed out to Morris IL where there is a yarn store called Le Mouton Rouge, which basically means Red Sheep. Just the most adorable shop. Owner is fantastic and the selection is extensive.

We then had a lovely lunch at Letty Mae's Tea Room... people, there was strawberry soup. Oh Yeah Baby! After that I came home and crashed. I love getting nap attached;)

So how do you like to spend you special day?

Stitches Midwest 2012 Haul

Just some goodies I picked up while at Stitches Midwest.



Do you think I like lime green? Not at all;)

Left to Right: 10 skeins Cascaded Pure Alpaca, the Beekeepers Quilt pattern... because I believe in torturing myself with mini skeins for another 4 years, 1 Skein of Three Irish Girls, 1 purple skein of Pure Alpaca (won this at the pajama party!), Erin Lane large bag, 1 size 3 Signature needle, 1 cone of Vally Yarns Alpaca Silk, a sweater stone, Color Affection shawl pattern, Miss Babs Color Affection Kit in Yet which is a lace weight.

All yummy goodies! And then guess what? Do you know what else I saw...

My pattern (Tourbillon) in the "wild" at the Plucky Knitters booth.

Day 281-365: Goodies

I never did get to show off the goodies I purchased at Yarn Con some weeks back. I knew I wanted a Piddleloop bag, but was pleased to find mini skeins all bundled together like a pompom from Evermore Studios. Couldn't resist.

Stitches 2010

Where do I even begin?

I suppose showing you the loot might give you some insight.



It doesn't look like much, but I didn't intend on buy much this weekend. It was more about being in the moment verses seeing my wallet burst into flames.

What you see (starting in the top middle) with the Knit Happy mug and Shepherds Wool from the Knitting Today booth. I picked up the travelers mug last year and wanted to add to my collection. The Shepherds wool will be for the Thermis neck-warmer pattern.

Next in the pile is the KnitWhits Mini Yarn Skeins, Opal mini Harry Potter skeins from the Sit 'n Knit booth and a hand full of Holiday Yarns bits. These are all going towards my leftover yarn blanket. It was fun finding all these little bits through out the market.

The remaining items are where I fell down hard, but I liked it. The Ruhama's booth was carrying Kauni, which is a very unique yarn that produces amazing color. You might have seen this sweater done by the Yarn Harlot. Stunning really. Well, I fell in love with the Oakland Shawl pattern you see in the middle of the photo buried under the goodies. I wanted to cast-on so bad that I bought a Signature circular needle to start my project right there!! Oh those needles are so awesome.

So? How many more days until Stitches 2011??

Just a Warm Up for Stitches

Over the weekend a bunch of us hauled up to The Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair. I can say that I stayed on budget (big win!) and I'm very pleased with my purchases.



Caricia is the lace pattern to the right that is calling to me and I don't know if I'll be able to resist casting-on. The Highlighter Tape will help with the lace charts and I loved finding the cashmere lace at the Stitch Sisterz booth. The leather strap was from the Homestead Heirlooms booth and I'm hoping it will go with a knitted purse pattern I have. The Cast-On Magazine was new to me so I had to get that...

I didn't get much, as this is just a warm up to Stitches which takes place in just a few short weeks. I do need to build up my stamina as the fair was slightly daunting. The rest of the weekend I spend napping and knitting. If I'm to survive a full weekend of fiber love then I better start some sort of regimen.

In other big news...



Sleeves are being connected to the body on Coraline. Hoot!

It's a Dry Heat

I should have bought the mug because this was the first thing out of every one's mouth once they heard I was heading to Arizona. I get... I did it too, but having been there I can see why people say it. Yet it's so much more.

My cousin got married on the most beautiful day that a bride could ask to have.



Walking down the isle to Metallica's Nothing Else Matters makes me just love her even more. Congrats to you both!



No matter where you turn... you've got these beautiful mountains just draping the sky and making even the most mundane strip mall look heavenly.

If you interested in looking at more photos just check out My Photo Set.

Having some time to spare during the afternoon, we headed out for a short trip about Phoenix to get some photos of cactus and mountains. During this I got the opportunity to visit Knit Happens.



I fell in love from the moment I laid eyes on the outside of the store. If you clicked on the above link to their blog, the photo in the top header really explains it all. Isles of yarn, knit samples draped at every turn and this awesome work station which is just barely seen in the photo along the bottom. It can sit tons of knitter and the super cool thing is the custom table has sunk in crevices so knitters can put a run-away ball of yarn. Totally Cool!



Yarn. Knit. Love.

It really does explain it all. Ever in the neighborhood of Scottsdale, check it out.



This is a huge sign on the building as your walking towards the door... How awesome can this get? They need to seriously sell these as smaller car window stickers;)

I did pick up something lovely...



Filatura di Crosa Centolavaggi lace weight in dark teal. I'm itching to cast on this stuff... Perhaps I should;)

Spring Trip to The Fold

On Saturday our lovely gang of Stitch n' Bitch ladies headed out to a little sweet spot called The Fold. I just love how our group can feel like some hard ass bitches one second and innocent tea time ladies the next.



I promised photos, but besides for this random Lets Get It Started photo, I got nada! Six of us piled into Jenn's mini-van and off we headed in search of fiber.

We had an awesome time exploring the shop and discovering little gems to take home.



I picked up Chuckanut Yarn in hopes I'll get gauge for the Faery Ring, but as my cold has done funky things with my brain... I think I'll wash the swatches and recount later when I have a clear mind.

Sock Yarn Doesn't Count

So you know I had to visit a yarn store while down in Tampa. Knit n Knibble is my go to yarn store while visiting my family. We've kind of made it a tradition to hit the store at least once. With a bead store just a few steps away, my parents get to brows while I feel on some fiber. Although we need to make note that the bead store is closed on Mondays.

(click-em for full yarn-p0rn)

The Cheery Tree Hill yarns were calling to me and it wasn't until I was shooting these pictures that I realized I got sucked into the colorful world of variegation.



My stash is filled with this lovely stuff. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I had my eye on this lovely cable pattern and truly a solid would look better.

Not like I need another excuse to find a perfect solid sock yarn colorway. sigh.

::Spoiler Alert::

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The Rockin Sock Club package arrived and the new colorway is called Muddy Autumn Rainbow. This is the last package for this year. I certainly have loved every shipment and every colorway in its own ways. The club has truly opened my eyes to other colors and pushed my comfort zone.

The pattern in this shipment is Holidazed and I'm not sure how I feel about that one yet. The repeat creates a sideways zig-zag down the leg, which could be cool, but might loose the pattern in the great colorway.

That first photo isn't enough... this is better:



or how about this...

Leftovers Anyone?

I've got a little bit of a problem.



Leftover yarn from previous sock projects and this photo is only half the pile of bits I have stashed. I just don't have the heart to let them go. Not enough to really do anything individually, but if you put it all together then, Presto! a project is born.

What project could I possibly be talking about? Well, the great Leftover
Sock Yarn Blanket of course!



You work these cute little squares up and then randomly pick up side stitches and add another square. The pattern is pretty mindless and you really only have to pay attention to one middle stitch on one side.

I got so zealus at the hospital yesterday to where I worked up a couple more additions.



Okay, so the first reaction most will give is "Are You Mad?"... Yes, yes I am. I'm not planning on finishing this project next week, next month or even a year from now. It would be nice, but I know I don't have all the sock yarn I need for it and I'm okay with that.

I love that all these chunks will then create a masterpiece. Even after the original socks have gone on to a better place I can enjoy the colors and fond memories of each project.

::SPOILER ALERT::

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The Rockin Sock Club package arrived and the new colorway is called Tide Pooling. The colors are super saturated and I'm totally in love with this yarn. This right here is a another good reason for me to sign up next year. We only get one more package and I'm kinda sad about it.

The pattern that came with it is fairly interesting and I'll most likely knit the sock up in it. What was also cool is the little extra goody in the bag... custom measuring tape!

Oh, and if this doesn't scream Fall I don't know what does:

Going Broke at Stitches Midwest

I do want to give a big heartfelt thank you to everyone for the support, comments and well wishes. You guys are the best. I'm so grateful to have each and everyone of you apart of my life.

~ : : : : ~

So, I know your curious to know what I got at Stitches Midwest. Well...lets just say that I had a budget and I went for broke. Yep... spent a little more then expected. I just saw so much that it was hard to pass up.

And to make things easy, I've numbered the awesome pile for you to gander. (click to enlarge - you know you want too!)

1. 17 skeins Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL in rich Black
2. 8 skeins Shebridge Farms Softtouch DK weight in Robins Egg
3. 2 4oz Mountain Colors Targree Top in Indian color
4. 2 skeins Newtons Yarn Company Cashmere Merino in Kelly Green
5. Lexie Barnes circular needle case
6. 1 skein Mackintosh Yarns Celtic Sock yarn in Cocoa Swirl
7. Inspired Cable Knits
8. A Fine Fleece
9. 1 8oz Frabjous Fibers BFL in Olive Tree

The only thing not on the list are some fabulous buttons. They deserve a close up look..



I love these green gems. The top section has a satin look, where as the side look like glass. I loved the booth that purchased these from. My buddy describes it like walking thru a rainbow.

I then could not resist these little buggers from this booth.



Now, to only decided what to cast on next! and then the tedious task of updating the stash photos on Ravelry.

Also, stay tuned as I hope to post about the classes, teachers and knowledge gained.

Showing Off The Swap

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet. I received my gift from the Handpainted Yarn Swap, gosh it was over a week ago. I sometimes forget between updating Ravelry and my blog which I did or didn't do. sigh. Life is so hard;)



The swap had revolved around Handpainted yarns. You knit your secret swap partner a pair of socks, put the package together with enough yarn to make another pair, a sock pattern and a bunch of goodies.



My swapper did an awesome job. The socks are Alpaca Sox yarn that are squishy and fit perfect. She then hand dyed some bare yarn with this electric blues and greens. There is lilac lotion she made her self along with a hand sewn knitting bag and the Francie sock pattern. Wow, just wonderful.

::Spoiler Alert::

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The pool was officially opened on Sunday and after several hours of yard work it felt good to splash in and relax.



My little water bugs are disappointed to see rain in the forecast. I on the other hand am happy to not come home to wet towels and swim suits on the floor.

Now for a little yarn...

The Rockin Sock Club May Package is: The Incredibly Shrinking Violet



Simply breathtaking.

**SPOILER ALERT**

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The Rockin Sock Club is super awesome (now you have to say that with a "Valley Girl" accent..like totally) and one of those special treats that I'm happy I was able to afford this year. March's shipment is every shade of green you could imagine and appropriately labeled Lucky. The pattern again is not something I would have swooned over, but I'm pushing forward with combining the these two beauties.

What's Next?

After finishing with all these quick projects I went back to my old reliable knit. Fulmar. Accomplishing 12 rows of the pattern this weekend I then saw this...



A miss-cable. The cable is not suppose to lean in that direction. It should go under not over...an apparently I thought this was a cleaver design feature because I repeated that mistake on the same row towards the left (not shown). sigh. I've been tossing around the idea...do I ladder down? or do this. This link brings you to a tutorial on cutting...yes, cutting the cable to realign the cables in their proper position. I don't know if I have the cojones to preform that one.

We are tossing the project into the closet and thus moving on to something more rewarding....a new project or two or even three...

Socks are usually the old standby. Off to the stash bins I go.



Found some great sock yarn... Gypsy Girl in the Holly colorway. The next shipment of the Rockin Sock Club yarn wont be in my hands till March, so we'll see if I can get another pair off the needles before then.

I then got to thinking that I really should swatch for several projects to just get the ball rolling. This then lead to me swifting up some yummy yarn cakes...



Nature Cotton has a different hand to it. Its got a thick-thin quality that produces a unique texture. I'm not completely sold on this for the Fitted Knits V-neck Sweater, but like the yarn very much.

While pulling out the bins I spied the Malabrigo... oh yeah baby... How Wicked!!



The depth of this burning orange is stunning. Pulled out the Wicked pattern and got to swatching. Loved it so much that I cast-on as soon as I hit gauge.



Don't you love having options? Now I really need to sit down and think about this cable... What is the worst that could happen? reknit it right? I think I see surgery in my future.

!• SPOILER ALERT •!

Yep... you got that right ladies and gents. Joined the Blue Moon Fiber Socks That Rock Club. The first sock yarn came in last week and I'm loving the color. The pattern is lovely too, but a bit lacey. Sometimes when you mix a variegated yarn with a active pattern you lose the color strips amongst the lacy pattern. I will most likely do the pattern with this yarn, but if I don't care for it I will rip and redo.


So, you want to see....


Here.


Is.


Dragon Dance.

Look At The Loot...

First off, let me say that my husband is awesome and knows me better then I know myself. I don't have a hard time saying what I want, but I surely wasn't expecting all this...I have to personally thank Tricia and Cory from Nana's Knitting Shop for guiding my husband down the correct path...even if I posted a wish list...you guys were spectacular at picking up on my colors. Thanks!

In the reading department...yes, people I got not one but two books. Both are fabulous and I've been skipping away to my bedroom to steal moments alone with them.



I can't even start to tell you how many patterns I LOVE in there. sigh. I just wish I could knit faster;)



Now socks...come on...can't go wrong with a sock book. The big plus is the patterns are also written for circular needles!! They might not be toe-up, but with patterns like these I'll be busting through my sock stash like crazy.

Well, now to talk yarn. Here is the Dale Baby Ull in a lime green and grape-ie purple. This is my new small project for the start of the new year. Wondering what I'm making? ... Endpaper Mitts



And last, but certainly not least by any stretch...yummy Malabrigo. Oh yeah people...I've got enough to make Wicked.



The color is so rich and deep fire red/orange that it was hard to photograph. I'm hoping to start looking into cameras this weekend. This one was great when I bought it 3 years ago, but it's seen better days.

I still have to blog about Fulmar and show you updates on that...and lets not forget about my Koolhaas Malabrigo hat...

Signing off for now, hoping to post soon. I hope you all are safe, healthy and ringing in the new year in your own special way. Cheers and Knit-On!

Time For a Hat

Yes ladies and gents...that is some Malabrigo. sigh. I know...I can't wait either. I'm looking for hat patterns and I think I might do another Koolhass.

I do have an announcement to make. Are you sitting down? I have finished the front panel for Fulmar. I know it knocked me on my butt when I finished it come 1 a.m. Saturday morning.