Baby Socks -- 1 pair done, 2 pair to knit

These cute little baby socks are a gift for Isaac who was born last week. His mom is a receptionist at the vet offce where we go. Isaac is her first child and I know she and her husband will be wonderful parents. They are also great parents to Grizzly, their Golden Retriever.

I used a yarn from KnitPicks that they don't make anymore. It is a combination of cotton, acrylic and nylon. I don't like knitting with it so fortunately these sockies don't take too long to knit. The yarn is soft (or I wouldn't use it for a baby) but it tangles/twists and drives me crazy!

I think these colorful ones are cute. I have more of this colorway and also some of a blend of beiges with blue. Good thing I have a stash of it because another receptionist (who my Stratton loved his whole life) is expecting her second son and also one of the women in our knitting group is expecting her second baby. These little socks are good lunchtime knitting projects.

Weekend of Golf, Reading and Knitting

Spent Thursday through Sunday in Corning, NY for our annual trek to the LPGA tournament. This year was the 31st for the tournament and the sadly, the last. Tournament sponsors can no longer afford or justify the costs associated with sponsorship. Corning is a lovely community with a terrific downtown filled with cute shops, museums, restaurants and coffee shops. I will miss our trips there.

Thursday evening was fun. Keith and I attended a cookout at the campsite of our friends, Jackie and Eddie and their boys O'Connor and Sullivan. I took some wonderful photos. But you won't get to see any of them. After returning to the hotel and turning on the camera to view what I took, all I got was a message in the screen -- "memory card error." I couldn't and still can't believe I no longer have photos on that card. Kodak ate my pictures. I think I will contact them. It won't bring back my photos but I think they would want to know about a defective card.

On Saturday we left the course mid-afternoon and headed about 20 miles further north to Watkins Glen. Keith checked out the sporting goods store while I headed to Fingerlake Fibers yarn shop. If you ever get to Watkins Glen or even nearby a stop in this shop is a must. A lovely play with a wonderful assortment of fibers, patterns and books.

Caught up on some novels on my Kindle so now looks like I need to find some more.

Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day.

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

I can't believe a week has passed since our busload of chatty knitters, spinners and weavers visited the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. We all had a wonderful time -- despite the rain accompanied by mud that Mother Nature threw at us.

I love MDSW and look forward to it each year. This was my 7th year -- I was surprised when I figured it out. I didn't take any festival photos this year. Why? I think it was a combination of the weather and being tired after organizing the trip for 55 people. But it was well worth it. Many have already said they want to go again next year!

I actually didn't buy as much as usual -- but did not go away empty-handed, as the photos indicate. Because of the weather the indoor vendors were busier and people were pushing a bit too much for me. I also learned -- after the fact -- that some vendors moved into the animal barns. I will be sure to check them out next year.

I did do stash enhancement and will describe what you see in the photos (please click on them for a larger version):

Shawl knitting is becoming my passion thanks to my good friend Billie. She is very helpful and encouraging to me. One of Billie's ways of encouraging me was to buy me this book "The Best of Knitter's Magazine" Shawls and Scarves which is a wonderful addition to my ever-growing knitting book library.

The sock yarn stash enhancement includes, from left: Mountain Colors Bearfoot in the Wilderness colorway; a lovely multi-colored skein of merino/nylon blend from Ellen's Half Pint Farm in Vermont (one of my very favorite vendors and one of the nicest people; Sockin' Sox from Plymouth yarn which will probably be used as a Christmas gift for Irina; medium-pastel shades of my favorite colors from Tess' Designer Yarns (which was packed with people as always...the weather doesn't stop Tess' devoted fans even though her booth is outdoors); and Socks That Rock Never on Sunday colorway.

Yarn for another shawl. This time from a dyer and booth owner new to me. I will be a returning customer. Kiparoo Farm in Maryland had this beautiful hand-dyed wool and mohair worsted weight yarn which I will be using for the shawl pattern shown in the photo. I saw the shawl knitted and knew I had to have the materials for knitting it.

Last, but certainly not least, Carodan Farm Wool Shop had several grba bags of sock yarn for $25. I got a bargain. Enough for 2 pair of summer socks and the plain black to knit for under my short dress boots I wear with suits in the winter.

A wonderful shopping time and a great event again.

Pi Shawl

The end of my last post referred to "the big project." Well, here it is...started at least...a Pi Shawl as designed by the knitting wonder Elizabeth Zimmerman. I am loving this shawl...colorful in Noro sock yarn which changes every few rows -- I think I counted 13 colors before the repeat which is now just beginning. I will post photos as this project continues.

I am planning on the knitted garter stitch edging. I think the garter will be a lovely contrast to the stockinette stiches. Also, once it is done...it is done. No casting off. Elizabeth Zimmerman says that shawls should always be knitted off, not cast off.

The Pi Shawl is so easy. Knitting in the round with the theory of every time you double the number of stitches you are knitting by using yarnovers, you double the number of rows you knit...translation: 18 stitches, 6 rows; 36 stitches, 12 rows; 72 stitches, 24 rows, and on and on. Very easy. That is the way Elizabeth wrote the pattern, and being a traditionalist I am doing it as written. There are many lovely Pi Shawls on Ravelry and blogs. Most are very different from each other....which is fine. I bet Elizabeth would love how people are adapting her pattern.

One summer sock is done so tonight I will cast on the other.

2 New Socks....and a Scarf, too

I like small knitting projects because they can be finished somewhat quickly. I rarely knit a larger project...watch for my next post later this week because its content will counter that statement!

Back to today. I am knitting two pair of socks -- both with yarn I purchased at Mad About Ewes yarn shop in Lewisburg, PA. Libby has great taste in yarn, I think, and is one of the nicest people I have ever met. We have gotten to be good friends and I love the time I get to spend visiting her and Wyatt, her VERY adorable Sheltie, who accompanies Libby to work almost every day.

The first is a pair of summer socks from Classic Elite's new yarn "Summer Sox" which is a wonderful blend of 40% merino/40% cotton/20% nylon. I think that combination will give a nice amount of memory...contrary to other cotton sock yarns on the market. And, this is washable and dryable. Also a plus. Libby has eight lovely self-striping colors in this yarn. Stop by and get some.

Second is a lovely merino/tencel blend and right now I cannot remember who makes it or the colorway...something with Roses in it...of course Libby emailed me the info but do you think I can locate the correct email. NOT! I will fill ya all in soon. She also has quite a few colorways in this yarn and it runs out the door quickly, so don't miss out.

The mindless knitting project -- I always need one of those ... don't you? -- is a triangular scarf being knitting from Schaeffer Anne yarn in the lovely colorway "Crocus." This is great car knitting. Total garter stitch, no row or stitch counting. All I need to remember are the yarnovers and each end of the row that starts with a row marker. Now how tough is that? A friend asked me how big the scarf will be. Answer: I am knitting until the skein is finished, so however big 560 yards of Schaeffer Anne allow. No reason to stop and possible waste this wonderful wool/mohair combination. Oh this yarn was purchased online from The Loopy Ewe.

More on the big project later this week. I promise.

This Is Spring?/New Pair of Socks

According to the calendar Spring sprung on Friday. We awakened not to the blooming of tulips, daffodils and crocuses but rather to snowflakes. See this photo taken early in the morning from the deck of our home. Brandeis and Teddy Bear enjoyed the surprise and were as frisky as if it was the first snowfall of the season. Let's make it the last one until November, please...but we have been known to have snowy Aprils.

These past 5 1/2 weeks since Stratton's death have been some of the most difficult, sad and stressful of my life. I now have good days and some not-so-good days. I doubt that will ever change, no matter how much time passes. I am told that my vets think I am back to normal and handling things. NOT! One of these days,especially if it is a bad one, and someone says the wrong thing to me, they might get a reality check...

I have been knitting some the past two weeks. I finished these socks (yes, they do match) last night and am wearing them today. I think the yarn is from On-line and I know I bought it at Stitches in November. I started a scarf from Schaeffer Anne in the colorway Crocus which is a lovely, rich purple/light pink/sage green. All being knitted from the corner (much like a dishcloth) in garter stitch. I will knit until the 560 yards is done...this will be a large scarf but will be soft and warm underneath a coat this coming winter. I love Schaeffer Anne for scarves and fingerless mitts and really appreciate the huge amount of yardage in each skein. It is a soft but sturdy wool/mohair blend although I'm not sure how well it would stand up to wearing as a sock. Might have to try a pair sometime and check it out. I will post a photo of the scarf in the next blog installment.

Stratton 08/02/98 to 02/12/09

My darling handsome Stratton...Mr. Perfect...my assistant chef...Strattie...Lovie Boy...the best Golden ever born...Puppy Puppy Puppy. I cannot believe you were taken from this Earth and from me at age 10 1/2. It is so unfair.

We don't know why. The surgery was successful but your body couldn't handle it. Something happened and we will never know what. You did have some issues the past few months and looked a bit different in your eyes for about two weeks. Also, you clung to me more than ever. I think you knew and were trying to tell me. Perhaps. Maybe your body did fail you, only to save you from a struggle later in life.

I totally blame myself for your death. I should have asked more questions and not been so quick to agree to the surgery. I will never know. I feel blessed that I was with you those last 8 1/2 hours. They were tough on me but much tougher for you. Now you are at peace and painfree. I cannot imagine you going through all of that trauma without me. I know you loved me. I heard you cry for me when I walked away for just a minute. That broke my heart and that was only the beginning. I am crushed.

Stratton you are my heart dog. You taught me how to love unconditionally. I adore you. I will always love you. You live in my heart. You were and will always be my life. I will always be your mommy. Please forgive me for taking you away from your family. I beg for your forgiveness. You were always such a loving, forgiving boy. I hope you can forgive the one person who adored you and worshipped you. I am so sad and lonely without you...

Sleep well my darling. You deserve it and much, much more. Life for me will never be the same. Love, Mommy

Now You See It...Now You Don't

Now you see it...

Now you don't...

In keeping with two of my knitting resolutions for the New Year you might notice that I am blogging more often. I know a few of you are reading so would you please leave me a little note! I appreciate getting them.

Another New Year's resolution I am trying to keep is FROGGING projects I don't like for whatever the reason. Pictured is the first in that category. This lovely sport yarn is called Lord of the Rings (I think) and I don't remember the maker but I got it from The Loopy Ewe which has a wonderful on-line selection of yarns. And service is top notch!

I was knitting the so-popular Monkey Socks. I didn't like the ones I was knitting. I think the problem was that I chose sport weight yarn which is just too heavy for the design. It is a lovely design and fun, fun, fun to knit. And a FREE pattern from Knitty an on-line magazine. Cookie A who is a very creative designer graciously allowed the magazine to publish this design and it has been a huge hit with knitters for the past couple of winters. I also really love the rich colors in the yarn so decided it was time to frog and do a standard pair of socks. They will be started soon.

We are waiting for snow in Central PA. The Goldens and I would love to play in it and I would really like to get some video of them. I haven't taken any in way too long and life just passes us all by. I hope the ice doesn't arrive, too. We have had too much of it this winter and I worry about falling and also about one of the dogs hurting themselves. I saw a handsome Rottie at the vet today. He hurt his back leg last night on the ice. Hope the boy is OK. He was very stoic and sweet.

Knitting Progress

Not much time to post today but wanted to share a photo of the fingerless mitts I made for Celeste for her birthday. I altered the pattern to her specifications which mainly was a longer cuff. They fit her perfectly and she loved them.

OTN now is a sock for me, a scarf, and a shawl that isn't getting touched except to move it from one knitting bag to another...sigh...

Today I got two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in a specially dyed color Mt. Nittany. It is beautiful tones of purple, blue and green. See...I think it only take one skein to make a pair of socks for myself but I didn't want to risk not having enough so I purchased two. I will use the second for mitts or something that only takes 200 yards of sport weight.

Will take photos of knitting progress for next post. ... assuming there is progress to be photographed.

Alpaca Yarn and New Bag

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my friends Monica and Dennis own an alpaca farm in southeastern PA. They have gorgeous animals and the result is fabulous yarn. See here. I am going to make a shawl and will post photos during the process. Be patient as I am going to finish a few other projects before I begin. I think I found the right pattern but am still contemplating.

I fell in love with this knitting bag from Namaste called a Knitube. A model they came out with several years ago and I think are discontinuing. I bought mine at a big discount at Dream Weaver Yarns. I was really pleased with the prompt service and will shop there again.

The outside is a nylon fabric and is possibly waterproof. I'm not testing it. Each end unzips and is lined with the beautiful fabric you see in another photo. One end is for yarn storage and the other for your work-in-progress and knitting tools. Then there is a side zippered pocked that could hold a small wallet, cell phone and keys. Also love the neat strap. Cool, huh? I think so.

The Mystery of the Missing Fingerless Mitt

Photo is of guilty party.

Name: Teddy Bear

Age: 5 1/2 years

Favorite hobby: laying upside down in daddy's lap as seen in photo

I have one fingerless mitt completed and the other 2/3 finished.

Celeste's birthday is Saturday but I won't see her until Sunday so I will be done in time! Yeah!! Double Yeah!!!

I hit a snag this morning when I could not find the finished mitt. Not in the pocket of the knitting bag where I keep it, not in the rest of the knitting bag, no where to be found. I thought I let it at Keith's apartment when we were in Harrisburg for the weekend, but knowing the birthday was this week was positive I brought it home. Well, I did. It was stolen but fortunately recovered in a good condition.

I will post photos of the finished mitts later in the week. I forgot the camera in the office today.

Also, I was gifted with some fabulous alpaca yarn on Saturday. Very special...the cria spin from Lucio my very favorite alpaca. Two skeins of fingering weight in a gorgeous white. Making it extra special was the additional two skeins of a beautiful rich medium brown that is spun from his mother alpaca's shearing. I am going to do a shawl from the two. The yoke will be the brown, I will knit as much as I can with the white and then do a pattern repeat or two with the brown. Can't wait to start.

Lucio belongs to my friends Monica Kline and Dennis Balban who own a Suri Farm in Lebanon County, PA. I saw them at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and received a cute gift bag with a tag from Lucio.

Photos will be in next post.

New Year's (Knitting) Resolutions

As I am nearing my mid-50s I have come to the realization that I won't live forever. No one does. Which means I need to focus my knitting, yarn purchasing and pattern choices. I'm going to get a bit selfish with my knitting in 2009. I mainly am knitting for myself, a few gifts and some items for the Golden Retriever Rescue to sell at fund-raising events.

So, in addition to my other personal resolutions, here are a few knitting-related ones:

1. Work to de-stash. I have so much yarn stashed in rubbermaid boxes I could open my own one-of-a-kind shop! Plan to go through yarns and make a nice collection of those I know I will never knit. I am doing a yard sale in late June (the community townwide sale) and this will be a good place to recoup some $$$ of what I spent. I have been inspired by an article in Knitter's Review which is a wonderful email publication I receive. Read this article to get the jist of their term "slow stashing" ... a realistic view -- no we knitters won't stop buying yarn but we must think a bit before purchasing more. Knit from stash if there is something we love and then buy only what we love. Wow! Was I ever inspired today....

2. Be more particular when purchasing yarns. Don't buy so much until I'm sure I don't have something similar. Guess doing a yarn inventory will be a good idea ... particular of the fingering weight. As I mainly knit socks, that is primarily what I purchase these days.

3. Knit only what I truly love in yarns I really like. Socks, fingerless mitts, scarves and a few shawls. Maybe a baby blanket or two, too. As the saying goes Too little time...so much yarn or something like that!

4. Raise money for Golden Retriever Rescue by knitting some specialized items -- fingerless mitts and ornaments. This is already begun! Had to purchase some yarn from Knit Picks -- nice but not my favorite -- to keep the price points reasonable. The yarn has arrived and actually is lovely.

5. Use the computer less and the knitting needles more! Computer time is cutting into my limited knitting hours.

6. Frog what I have started and don't love. Frogging is not an offense punishable by law! Enjoy what I am knitting. Don't look at it as a task to be completed.

7. Challenge myself a bit with some more lace knitting and new techniques. I never knit a thumb gusset until this fall (thanks Libby!!) and now I love making the fingerless mitts in Libby's pattern. She owns Mad About Ewes yarn shop in Lewisburg, PA.

8. Stop knitting when my neck and arm begin to bother me.

9. Organize the books, magazines and patterns. Yikes! They are becoming overwhelming but if I would take a day and work through it 2009 will be a much more productive year. While I'm about it I must complete the sock yarn organization project I began nearly a year ago.

10. Blog more often!

Happy New Year all!!!!