Catchn up

Wow - it's been awhile.  Where do the days - weeks go?  So, this will be a catch-up post.

First off, I think we are pretty much over the nasty bug that we all shared.  Hubby was last to get it, but seemed to have a fairly short-lived version, when compared to what both me and my mom endured.  During the first few days of my illness, I managed to break an older dental crown.  Due to coughing, I chose to wait out a couple of weeks before getting dental work started.  YIKES - it's been years since I have had a crown put on, and now I remember how much I hate the process.  I really like my dentist, but just hate being captive and out of control.  I always have those "I want to swallow NOW!!" moments.  And - thanks goodness we have good dental insurance. I was blown away by the cost!!

DH has started planting garden (peas, onions, lettuce, radishes,) and probably more are in the ground.  Due to horrible rains last year, our garden was pretty much a waste.  We are hoping for a better crop this year.  It's a lot of work, for no gain......kind of a downer last  year.

And on the knitting scene, I've been busy.  A pair of plain jane socks were recently completed. I really enjoyed knitting these with my new 2.25mm Signature DPNS.  I am a total fan!

A couple of the gals in my knitting group just purchased the new Signature circulars, and I am anxious to hear how they like them. 

 I completed the Flamboyan shawl by Stephen West.  It's knit out the 2 colors of my handspun, shown in the previous post.  I really like it, now that it's finished.  It looks really nice draped over one shoulder with the ties handing down either side on the other side.  Sorry - no personal modeling shot.  If you could see my hair you would knot why!  LOL  The fence is much better looking than am I!  ;)  It's very soft and drapey fabric, so anyway, color me happy with this one!

And currently, I am nearing the edge of a shawl/shawlette knit out of this handspun:

BG was helping me "thwack" it during the finished process and declared it to be rainbow yarn, so I just had to take a rainbow photo......

I am enjoying knitting with it.  I'm making a Traveling Woman shawlette, starting with the green and ending the bottom edge with the dark wine color.  I would bet my last dollar that I am going to run out of  yarn though.  My yarn meter malfunctioned, so I didn't know what yardage I had.  I added quite a few pattern repeats, as I wanted to use the entire skein of yarn, so.....I'm afraid I misjudged.  Oh well - I will manage to use every yard of this yarn, which was my desire.  I think I will finish the very edge with a bit of Knitpicks Pallette.  I have all those little color samples, if you will remember, so picking out the exact color will be easy.  I think there are a couple of good matches, so I'll be placing a small knitpicks order soon. Hopefully it won't be too noticeable.

And some stash enhancement....

  8oz of IntoTheWhirled Polwarth fiber.  Quercus is the colorway name.  Nice!  My comfort colors.

And for some rainy day, when a little color is needed:

Again, IntoTheWhirled fiber.  This time SW BFL, in "Mandarin" colorway.  This colorway was inspired by a photo of a beautiful Mandarin duck.

So, Happy Spinning, Knitting, Crocheting, Quilting, Sewing, Baking, Gardening, Reading or whatever makes your heart sing.....talk to you later!  (In the reading category, I've recently discovered the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher.  Fun escapism!!)
k

Brown....

About as basic brown as you can get:

Knitpicks Stroll in the colorway Kindling.  My basic plain jane sock recipe.  These were the first socks that I knit with my new Signature dpns.  Love them - socks and needles.  66st - 2.25mm - 5/1 rib.

And "Brown"

was the answer BG gave to Grandpa when asked what kind of leaf this was.  Pretty appropriate answer, I think!  Each day, BG seems to find his "Very Favorite" leaf in the walk from the car up to the back door, and has to bring it in and save it to give to Grandpa.  While Grandpa was going to share tree identification skills with BG, BG was quite happy to share his 2-yr old perspective with his grandpa.  We all had a giggle, and "Brown" it is!

Brown, with a tinge of blue

is how this lovely brown elixir has been making me feel of late.  I drink my coffee black, with the exception of that first cup of the day - that one is doctored up....  I love my coffee!  It's what motivates me to jump from my bed each morning - just the thought of that first cup of joe.  But I have been battling a bad cold for the past week or so, and nothing tastes good - nothing - including that first cup of coffee!  So, sad...:(   I do think I am on the downhill slope though.  I'm feeling a bit better today. 

I have two things on needles right now, and sticking with the brown thing.....

These yarns are being knit into Flamboyan (Rav link) by Steven West.  I'm on the outer ribbed border, and I think I'll really like the finished shawl/scarf.  As always, I love knitting wth handspun.

And for just a splash of color!

 

Socks in the colorway  "Viola"!  Yarn is by IntoTheWhirled - her  Saginaw sock line.  Merino - luscious!

And an update:  The "kids" made it home safely from Hawaii.  They will be returning in a few weeks though, for another visit!  Each bought the other a trip to Hawaii as a surprise gift to celebrate their 1yr anniversary of being a couple.  The funny thing is both employers knew what was going on, as each had gotten the time off arranged for the other in secret.  Bet there were a few chuckles exchanged behind closed doors!  Ahhhhh - young love!

And the lesson for today is.....

When life gives you Lemons....well, make a vest! 

Hopefully that will be the answer!  A couple of days ago, BG tried the front/back on of his sweater.  Big smile...lots of enthusiasm, Grandma is wonderful (and happy!).  Yesterday, I had basted a sleeve on, and needed to have him try it on for a sizing.  He pitched a fit!  Wanted no part of the sweater - AT ALL!  "No Grandma! No Grandma!" is all he would say.  Not happy boy (nor grandma!).  So....I'll give it another try next week, but as one gal suggested in my knitting group this morning, perhaps I ruined it by adding sleeves.  So...I'll keep you posted.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  I knew it was a risk.....oh well - I am normally a process knitter anyway.  And, there's always room in the charity box for another toddler sweater.  Sigh.....

My mindless, knitting while waiting in the car, etc, project is done. 

Ohhhh....that's a horrible photo!  Sorry...not sure what happened there.  Anyway - nothing too exciting.  Standard guy's vanilla sock.  Used a skein of Opal from my stash.  They will be gifted come Christmas time.  Last of my "must do" gifts. 

Soooo..... I am in need of a new knitting project.  Only bad part of being a one at a time kinda gal is when the one is stalled. 

It rained all day yesterday.  Luckily, it was warm enough that we had only rain.  They say that it would have been a 14" snowfall had temps been lower.  I'm ready for cooler weather, but not sure I want 14" of snow just yet -- thanks anyway!

An update on the eye:  Some days are better than others.  Today is not so good.  :(  Apparently it can take a long time (months and months) to get better, or as good as it's going to get anyway.  So...I'm just trying to be patient and grateful that it is not worse than it is.  So far the left eye remains ok.  I am being told it will be better - eventually. 

Off to start a new project.  Also started some spinning last night, so my world continues to rotate, even if a little lop-sided at times!  Take care.

And Three weeks later......

Sorry....MIA.  Several folks have written expressing concern that I have not been posting.  Nope - nothing wrong.  Just life getting in the way I guess.  Sorry - I'll do better, I promise!

While I personally am fine, Sofee, well you know her allergies!  She is in the middle of the worst of it.  Poor little girl.  Her eyes are really bothering her this year.  We have a new ointment, but basically she needs to stop rubbing them.  We are balancing drugs and barrier clothing items with full-attention/lap time.  We'll get through this again......  I'm just hoping for early (and frequent) frosts!

  She could be a poster child.....poor little girl!

On the knitting front, finished are the "Deep in the Woods" mittens.  They've been on my Ravelry page for a couple of weeks, so sorry if this is redundant for many of you.   I made a few changes, which can be found on my Ravelry page.  Basically they are knit as pattern is written.  I really like them!

I started a plain vanilla sock.  Opal yarns can hardly make "vanilla" socks! Pretty wild!  This colorway is one from the rain forest collection of a couple of years ago.  Stash yarn. It's a project that I can take and run with.  Mindless knitting - hmmmm - that seems to be what I need these days. 

I am nearing completion on another pair of  "Knotty" gloves.  These are out of a skein of Cherry Tree Hill - stash yarn that is several years old.  Love them.  They fit a bit tighter than the reddish pair I recently completed.  Same needle size and stitch count, just a slightly different yarn weight. 

The post-lady has been VERY nice to me this past week or so. 

This Schauht Lazy Kate came to me on Friday of this week.  My WooleeWinder bobbins are just a smidge longer than the stock Lendrum bobbins, and would bind up on the Lendrum Kate.  I decided that I would prefer a horizontal kate, and decided to go with this model.  I have yet to use it, but hopefully I will like it immensely!

I decided it was about time that I figure out what I should be doing, so DH actually, purchased these DVD's for me.  I am a "spin by the seat of your pants" type of gal.  I do what feels right.....and for the most part I have been pretty happy with the outcome.  But the recent sale on these DVD's - well, I decided that perhaps it was time to see how things are "supposed" to be done.  LOL.....  (Lots of Luck) with that!  I'll be trying to break bad habits from now on......
 
And speaking of:  This fiber was especially dyed for me by JulieSpins.  I wanted to spin some light to dark transitional yarn.  Love this fiber.  She named the colorway "Teddy Bear", which is a perfect name!

With a little bit of manipulation, it has been spun into a nice hank of yarn.  It's not been sett yet, so not really ready for it's debut shot.  Also, only half has been spun at this point. I need to find the perfect pattern. 

And, a new sock book:  I pre-ordered this one.  I have knit many of Stephanie's designs and find them both beautiful and challenging.  Little dpns have been dancing in my brain since this beauty arrived!

I am actually waiting for an Etsy delivery that I will be sure to share with you all.  Nope - not fiber!  Something really cute....and I am so anxious to receive!  Be sure to check back to see......... :)  

That's about all I guess.  BG will start his little "pre" pre-school this week.  Only 1 hour each day (Tues/Thurs) a gradual adjustment.  We have been talking about school and reading books about going to school for the last several weeks.  He keeps zeroing in on the "school bus" aspect of school.  Sadly, I am his school bus.  Hope he's not too disappointed with that.  I'm very excited for him.....I think he's going to love it!  I'll keep you posted.  

The beat goes on..........

My "Spinner for Hire" career has come to a close!  Back into retirement I go.  It was fun, and I certainly hope my "customer" (lol - what a hoot!) is pleased.  She already has the first 4 skeins, and seemed very pleased, so I expect these last 12 skeins to be equally well received.  They are very thin/thick, lumpy/bumpy - but it is as she requested.  It does give the yarn character......

I also have my Norweigan Rose socks finished.  I really like them.  The fit is very nice!  They are keepers....

And this morning I was up at 3:30.  Partly due to a very dedicated husband (working 12 hours on a Sunday!) and due to Sofee, who thought it was time to get up.  So....I started this mitten:

It's a pattern from the newest Knitty.  It would have been better had the colors been reversed, but I had more of the blue and being safe, I decided it should be the main color.

I may like the palm side better actually.  Probably not my favorite style of mitten (I much prefer a long cuff, a gusseted thumb, and non pointy shape) but I had a small skein of each color, (handspun) and was itching to knit it into something.  This was my 3:30am project of choice!  Hmmm....perhaps there is a lesson to be learned there.    

Whats been brewing......

While trying to stay cool, and dry (which is pretty hard to do!!) summer days have been slipping by..... I can't believe it's been over a week since my last post. 

I have my mom's socks done.  If you will remember, these were a pair of rare toe-ups.  Not my normal style of socks, but it was fun for a change.  They reminded me of how much I like Lisa Souza's sock yarns!  I have quite a big stash......perhaps I should dive into it more often. 

This is the plain sock with gusset construction from Wendy Johnson's first toe-up book.  I like the gusset construction quite a bit.

I think I will be knitting socks using this technique again.  The "Norwegian Rose" socks are nearing completion.  I'll post those in a few days....hopefully.

I have been busy spinning up some roving.....a BIG bag of roving.  The recipient of this yarn picked up the first 4 skeins a week or so ago, and really seemed pleased with it.  So....I was suppose to spin up the rest.  I have 7 skeins finished so far (well, I need to set the twist of 5 of them).  I need to ply 2 more skeins this afternoon (singles on the bobbins) and then will spin up 3 more skeins, and then will be finished!  It's been a fun project, but I must admit that I am ready for a little color......  Yes, I really said that!  ME....wanting color!  LOL.

Speaking of color, a couple of new rovings arrived this past week or so. 

This is Crown Mountain Fiber's SW Merino in the Bacchus colorway.  Gorgeous!  I really like this, and hope I like the finished yarn half as much!

And this is a mixed BFL (meaning light/dark mixed natural colored wool) dyed by AllSpunUp.  This also makes my heart sing!  Lovely dark, rich colors.  Screams winter socks to me!  I can hardly wait to start spinning on this.....

But probably the most exciting thing that has been going on is this purchase:

BG loves trains, especially Thomas.  This grandma couldn't afford the real Thomas set up, so I bought a generic, and will eventually populate it with "real" Thomas train pieces.  One little 2-yr old is just totally pleased with that plan! 

So, I guess that's what I've been up to.  I must admit, I am looking forward to Fall.  It's always been my favorite time of  year, but this year it may be even sweeter than normal.  Hopefully our Fall weather will be better than the Monsoon season we have had of late.  Also, our son will be coming "home" for a visit!  And....there will probably be a little vacation trip for DH and I.  BG will be starting a little "Pre" pre-school twice a week - which will be very exciting!.  So, hope all of you are surviving in your own crazy world we all call home...... Talk to you later!

New Tricks for an Old Dog

And, I'm not talking about Sofee here! 

I recently discovered the "Norwegian Rose Sock" pattern by Wendy D. Johnson.  It's a pattern in her newest book, "Toe-Up Socks for Every Body".  I loved the pattern, but not a fan of toe-ups, so I tried to get it out of my mind.  No Could Do!!!!  (Yes, I know I could have easily knit it as a cuff-down, but somehow I always feel obligated to knit a pattern as intended, for the most part.  At least the first time I knit it.)

So...I bought the book, revisited her first book, "Socks from the Toe Up" which I have had since April of 2009, and have barely looked at it until now. 

I knit several pairs of  Toe-ups years and years ago......when it was a new concept, and the patterns were not nearly as refined and perfected as they obviously are these days. These were sheer pleasure!  (Not to say that I will become a toe-up convert, but I will no longer shun a pattern due to this construction.)

I cast on a pair of plain vanilla socks (with gusset heel construction) to test the toe-up waters.  Hmmmm - pretty smooth sailing, so I took the plunge with the Norwegian Rose pattern.

The peachy ones will be gifted to my mom, as she really liked the color, and how they fit her. 

The Norwegian Rose (background is dark green, not black as it appears in the photo) will be mine....ALL MINE!  I love them! 

That's not to say that I won't knit another pair of Norwegian Rose socks - for mom if she so desires.  She is my biggest sock fan (by far!). 

The Peachy ones are knit out of a Lisa Souza "Sock!" yarn that I had balled and waiting in my stash.  Ball band is gone, so not sure of the color.  It so reminds me of Dreamsicles. 72 stitches, totally knit on size 2.00 mm (US 0) needles.

The NR are knit out of Cascade Heritage.  I really like it for color work.  I know how it will handle, it's superwash, so can be gifted with abandon, and the line of colors is growing.  Oh, and it's also available at my LYS, which is another plus!  These have 74 stitches, knit on 2.25mm needles - except the toes, heel and ribbing cuff which were all knit on 2.00 mm. 

I really like both of these, so knitting sock #2's will be no problem.....No worries about fit, etc, so knitting bliss.

Getting back to normal.....

The birthday celebrations are winding down, as is the sugar high.....(thankfully so).  Naps are once again manageable and on schedule.  But we DID have fun on Monday.....

  

I finished this sock this morning:

 It is an older pattern from Knitty, "Red Herring" by Cookie A.   The main color is a Finn that was spun several months ago, waiting in my stash for the right project.  The contrasting color is my latest spin, shown on the bobbins in the previous post.

It spun up into this nice 3-ply fingering wt yarn.  This was the first fine yarn that I spun with the assistance of the Woolee Winder.  I think I will be able to spin thin yarns with no problems.  That is one of the things that people sometimes say - that it is not easily done with the WW.   I am convinced we will be life-long buddies and partners in this spinning adventure......

 

 This was the original roving.  It was just over 3oz.  My yardage was 252 yards, which was a little disappointing, but I purposefully put a great deal of twist into the singles and plying, as I knew it would eventually become socks.    It made for nice color accent, although the difference was not great in certain areas.  I like the subtle color changes.  These socks have the afterthought Turkish heel.  I had not knit one of those in many years, but enjoyed the process and I am happy with the outcome.  

Now - off to cast on the 2nd sock!

And the verdict is:

It's been fun watching the votes tally.  Thanks so much for all that took the time to play along.  It pretty much has been 50/50 all along.  Just now, as I logged on to my blog to post this photo, I find the largest spread.  16 votes for matching and 20 votes for reversal.  So....majority rules.  (Pure luck that it worked out that way!).

No BG today.  I enjoyed a late wake up/work out,  lunch with a friend, a calm visit with my mom and her new cat ...just a day of  "me" time, but I missed him.  Tomorrow my daughter and I are having a girls' day out - Pedicures and Sex in the City 2 movie.  Should be a great day!  Hope you all have a nice Holiday weekend - however you chose to spend it.

Thanks for stopping by - k

And now the question is:

Should sock #2 match or be reversed in color placement?  Care to vote?  You will find a poll over on the sidebar.  I may not base my final decision on the results, but I am curious as to what others might think. 

This is the handspun shown in the previous post, coupled with some natural "oatmeal" BFL handspun.  I am really enjoying this pattern - sort of like potato chips.....hard to knit just one pair!   I've always liked stripes!

This morning BG and I visited the "pre"-preschool he will attend in the fall. He'll be two this summer.  WOW - so hard for me to believe.  Also hard for me to believe he'll be going off with back-pack in tow in just a few short months.  At this age, socialization is the greatest benefit.  He will attend 2 mornings each week.   I'm sure he will have a terrific time.  We frequent libraries and take in their story hours on a regular basis.  He'll do just fine!  Me - well, I'm sure I'll be ok too.... (sniff sniff).  

Anyway, he took quite nicely to looking around the classroom, and was exceptionally impressed by the toddler sized and appropriately mounnted sink!  The potty - well not so much, but that SINK!  with RUNNING WATER!  Well within EASY REACH!!  We were there about 30-45 minutes.  I'm sure he washed his hands at least a dozen times!  We'll probably have to pay a surcharge for extra soap/paper towel usage!  LOL.... could be worse....clean hands are a "good thing".

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget to vote.  (Perhaps I've been watching too much Dancing With The Stars). 

You could call it poor planning.....

but I choose to call it a pair of  "salt and pepper" socks.  Actually I should have taken into consideration the length of color repeats that "Zauberball" had.  But....as you can see, I just knit these up as the yarn came off the ball.  Both colorways are transitioning....sort of busy and crazy.  But - for some strange reason I really like them!

The pattern is "Burning Stripes" by Susan Luni, purchased on Ravelry.  It is a very well written, multi sized pattern, complete with many photos and kind of a "hold your hand" approach to the short row heel.  She calls it a boomerang heel actually.  Anyway - I would highly recommend the pattern!

The yarns I chose are Zauberball and Lang Jawoll Magic.  Both of which have lovely long color transitions, but they are both singles and somewhat fuzzy.  I don't think they will wear well at all.  But hopefully I'll prove myself wrong.  Here is their formal shot. 

Oh...and a really cute detail is the seam stitches that run all the way up the foot and up the back of the sock. 

I like how they fit, I like the heel treatment, and it was just a fun project.  So....I'm sure there will be more burning salt and peppers in my future.

And, I have been spinning of course.  The latest:

This 4 oz Falkland fiber from "FatCat" in the colorway "Stanley" spun up into these 2 skeins:

Each is just short of 200 yards.  A nice fingering weight yarn.  They transition from blue to brown, but not a perfect match.  Not sure what they will become.  Time will tell. 

Falkland is one of my favorite fibers.  It's soft and squishy - always blooms a great deal.  So fun...may be mittens.  Hmmmm..... will have to give it some thought. 

Hope all are having a good weekend.  Summer has come to Iowa today.  It is at least windy, which helps with the temperature and humidity.  Tomorrow may be close to 90.  The AC will probably get a test run if that actually happens.