Holiday Knitting

Right now I am knitting socks as a Christmas gift and am using Rio de la Plata twist sock yarn. The colors are right, the yarn base is soft and it is superwash! Just perfect for the young woman on the go -- not me, the person who will get these socks.

Ironically enough the only drawback with the Rio sock yarn is the twist...it splits during knitting and if your needles are not pointed is somewhat of a problem. However, my new dpns with the very pointed tips are solving that problem. The photo shows a color of Rio yarn -- not the one I'm using for this particular pair of socks but it is one that I have and am going to use for myself.

It is just amazing how many indie dyers are now marketing their yarns. There are some gorgeous ones out there...prices are going up, as with everything. But, with all the time I spend knitting an item I really want to use as nice of yarn as possible. I have a good stash and am glad for it...got the yarns before many of the prices increased. So, I am knitting from stash and happy for it!

My holiday knitting this year consists of a pair of socks and several pairs of fingerless mitts. What about you? What are you knitting?

STITCHES EAST

Last weekend I attended my first Stitches East event in Baltimore, MD. The weather was warm and sunny and finding the hotel was relatively easy -- despite some distractions. When we arrived I learned that this was the last year for the event in Baltimore ... next year it is in Hartford, CT...which is a 6 1/2 hour rather than a 3 hours drive. Glad I decided to go this year!

One of the most pleasurable moments of the trip was a chance meeting with Debra of Debra's Garden. She is delightful and so talented. Her knitting jewelry is gorgeous and very creative.

Also got to meet Cheryl from Cherry Tree Hill and her equally talented daughter who, in the knitting world, is known as "Indie Dyer."

I bought a knitting related necklace, silver sock earrings, some special double pointed needles, and of course yarn. I think the Tess's yarn booth was my favorite. Their yarn bases are so soft and their colors gorgeous -- ranging from yummy pastels to gorgeous brighter colors. I think I could have stayed in their booth all day!

No photos to share as they are forbidden on the sales floor, I was told.

Stitches is a very different event from Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Some of the vendors are the same, but the indoor venue is a more sterile environment than the fairgrounds where I will head in May.

Yes We Did!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Brandeis, who is 12 1/2, wanted you to see how handsome he is in his Halloween bandanna he got after his grooming at Petco. He is telling me "Trick-or-Treat" in this photo! More knitting content coming soon.

I'm Back...and I Never Went Far

Things have been really hectic at work and at home these past few weeks...I can't believe it has been 7 weeks since I last posted. I do apologize for being MIA.

I finally got some time to knit and you can see by these fingerless gloves that I am starting something new for me...a finger gusset. I got a pattern from Libby who owns "Mad About Ewes" yarn shop in Lewisburg, PA. Her pattern and it is great...terrific instructions. Since I had never done a M1 left or right, Libby pointed me to an on-line video which was a huge help! Thanks Libby!! I then pulled some instructions from Knitters magazine to use as a backup and off I went.

The first glove is finished and I am very pleased with it. As you can see, the second one is on the needles. It should be done by the weekend, if all goes well.

Oh the little guy in the photo is Teddy Bear, our rescue boy who came to live with us 5 years ago today when he was 4 1/2 months old. Took this photo at lunchtime. He loves his new Curious George that his Golden brothers Brandeis and Stratton got him to help celebrate his Gotcha Day! So glad you chose us little guy.

Finished Baby Hat and a New Scarf Style

This cute little baby hat was fun to knit in a cotton blend. "Rover" the stuffed Golden Retriever dog models it while Lily my little Calico cat looks on. I tried to get her to model the hat but that was a no go!

I've been busy knitting socks (am saving that photo for the next post) and a triangular scarf. Am using Noro's knew sock yarn that is one-ply and in typical Noro style is unusually multi-colored. The yarn is a bit rough for my taste, but I'm told it "blooms" when wet and blocked. I hope so. I don't think I would like it for socks but I am enjoying knitting it for this clever scarf. Doncha love how the colors change and are very different? I know I do!

No, the scarf is not an original design. I was reading The blog from Rosie's Yarn Shop and the August 2 POST (click for link) showed a finished design using the Noro sock yarn. The pattern is a simple triangle with the k2, yo knit across the row pattern once you get started. The blog writer is very clever to figure out that this yarn is good for such a pattern. I know I'm hooked. I love mindless patterns to knit while watching football. I bet I knit another one to give as a Christmas gift.

Football season opened yesterday at Penn State and we are off to a good start...although the opposition was Coastal Carolina ... a school that has only had a football team for 7 years. Humm....

The temps are cooling at night and there are signs that Autumn is in the air. I love Autumn but am in no hurry for it. Today is a gorgeous sunny day, low humidity, and a little breeze. I'd take this weather year-around if offered the opportunity.

Have a wonderful Labor Day!

I will post photos of the finished scarf later this week. It is moving along nicely.

Random Knitting Notes

No photos to share today but wanted to make a list of a few bits of knitting "news" mixed with some personal thoughts...

There is a new on-line knitting magazine Twist Collective that looks quite promising. Patterns are for sale but from what I have seen in this premiere issue, they are nicely designed and there is a good variety. I urge them to keep up the good work!

Knit Picks finally did what I have been waiting for...they just came out with straight knitting needles in their wooden Harmony design. They began this process with double pointed needles and then progressed to circular needles. For quite a while it appeared that was it but a few weeks ago wa-la! the straights appeared on their merchandise site. I use straight needles in the 10" length as much as possible because I just don't like circular needles but sometimes have to use them. Of course I now own a set of the Knit Picks straights. A good deal for 9 different sizes that are packaged in a nice fabric case.

While in the grocery store last week I picked up the latest issue of Vogue Knitting magazine and after less that 5 minutes returned it to the shelf and walked away. Yuck! The patterns appear to be retro in nature, a ton of cables, and for those pencil thin runway models. I don't see that REAL women can wear any of them. I know my knitting time is very limited these days so when I buy a magazine or a pattern I want something that will look nice and doesn't require much fiddling.

However, I did purchase the latest copy of Knit 'N Style magazine that has some nice articles, workable patterns and beautiful photos. Am waiting for my favorite knitting magazine, Interweave Knits, to hit the sales rack this week. They often don't offer a lot of patterns that suit me but for some reason I just LOVE that magazine.

On the magazine front, I read that Debbie Bliss is publishing a knitting magazine and the first issue is scheduled for debut on September 2. There is hope!

If you are a shawl knitter, go to the Elann site now. There is a gorgeous shawl on the website's home page and the pattern is free. Just click and print! But, if you are an Elann "regular" you know the site updates often and the photo and free pattern changes.

Hope you are enjoying August and are knitting. The weather turned dramatically cooler yesterday and inspired me to knit on a sock. Am hoping to relax and get more knitting done this weekend.

Happy 10th Birthday!

Two of my furbabies are celebrating their 10th birthdays today. Happy Birthday my lovies and may we celebrate many more together! Mommy adores both of you. Stratton and his tennis ball is what I call "keeping his eye on the ball" and Patches is just giving me a cute pose.

Knitting content next time.

Works in Progress

The past few weeks have flown by and I have had very little time to knit. Those few hours are now down to zero for at least the next 10 days. I need to make some bandannas and collar scrunchies for our Golden Retriver Rescue to sell at a Bark-in-the-Park event during a minor league baseball game in early August. I purchased a number of really nice fabrics and am telling myself NOT to stress about it...just to sew a few in as many patterns as possible. Over the past 9-plus years since I started this rescue I have made thousands of them with the money we earn going to pay for vet bills, dog food, collars and leashes, dog bed, dog toys and other things the rescue kids need. All for a good cause! The knitting can wait a bit.

I had planned to enter socks and a scarf or shawl into the annual Grange Fair, but time has slipped by and I don't have enough time to finish the scarf for entry. The rescue bandannas and scrunchie are my priority.

I do have a pair of socks completed but think I will skip entering this year. They are very rigid about when items can and can't be picked up and I will be out-of-town working during the 2-hour window that is scheduled for pick-up. I don't want to risk someone taking my project so i will knit something for next year...maybe.

See this pretty sock? It is being knit from Bellamoden yarn in the colorway Lord of the Rings. Purchased it on-line from The Loopy Ewe and I love this yarn...a very soft yt sturdy sprot weight yarn base with gorgeous colors that pop out at me as I knit. The pattern I'm using is the ever popular Monkey Socks from Knitty. Just get onto the site -- which is awesome with its free patterns -- and search for the sock name. I have to fudge a bit because of the 16-stitche repeat and the number of stitches I use for my socks. The match doesn't quite work but no one will be able to tell.

Christmas in July has arrived! This soft Feather & Fan scarf is being knit in a lovely soft fingering weight yarn in two colors -- but varying shades of each color. The brown ranges from a pale camel to a dark chocolate and the grey ranges from the palest of the shade to a gorgeous charcoal. They blend nicely and particlar work well in this F&F pattern.

This is a gift and I do hope the recipient likes it. She is very particular so one never knows.

I'm still working on other socks, scarves, shawls and a baby blanket. Most of those projects are too heavy on the lap for this hot weather. So, they will wait for a bit until things cool down.

What are you knitting?

Wow! Sock Club Box Arrives

I'm not sure how Sheri at The Loopy Ewe continues to outdo herself with the incredible contents of the sock club boxes. For those who are unfamiliar with sock clubs -- you join for the specified number for a year and then your box magically appears in the mail. I like Sheri's for a number of reasons -- you pay each time you get one and not all upfront which is much easier on the purse strings and she always amazes and thrills me with the content.

Today's box contained what is in the bottom photo: gorgeous sock yarn from Smooshy Dream in Color in colorway Spicy Smooches which is shades if beiges with a little gray to make it even more interesting; a fabulous TOP DOWN (yeah!!!) sock pattern called Hugs and Chocolate Kisses designed b Debbie O'Neill specifically for The Loopy Ewe' a cute little button thingy that says "born to knit"; a pack of peppermint candy (always peppermints in the summer and Hershey kisses in the winter -- in ALL packages sent by Sheri and the Elves); and the most fabulous notepad and pen. Lots of lines pages to make notes about patterns, a heavy duty vinyl cover complete with Loopy on the front and a cute red pen.

No wonder her sock club fills up fast each winter...I don't know how she is going to manage the number of people who will want to rejoin and join for next year. The desire to join was high this year -- can't imagine what next year will be like for her as more and more people discover her wonderful on-line shop.

Are you wondering what types of things have been in other packages? See the cute red zippered case that holds a ton of knitting accessories and necessities...that was in a recent shipment. The first box of each of the past two years has included a larger version of this zippered case. The plastic is top grade and sturdy but flexible. Very nice way to hold projects, keep them together and keep those darn stitches on the needles! There have been other cute gifites too...a tiny crochet hook on a ring holder, specially made row markers, etc. etc. All very clever and fun surprises.

Thanks Sheri and Elves! Will September's box soon be here??? hehehehehe

Look what I got!!

Last night our Penns Valley Knitters held a very delayed holiday (and yes, I mean Christmas!) potluck and and "Almost Christmas in July" gift exchange. We played the "stealing" game and had a ton of fun and lots of laughter. I hate having my photo taken -- can ya tell -- but Melissa insisted. I am wearing the prize I got -- a mobius scarf knitted by Billie. I am thrilled, to say the least! She used Lorna's Laces yarn and it means so much to me that Billie made it. I only have it draped around my neck once but when winter returns, it will be wound more tightly to keep me warm. Thank you Billie for being such a wonderful knitter and friend!

A Busy Two Weeks

I looked at my last post and it was 13 days ago. I'm not sure where the last two weeks have gone but those are days I will never get back. It has been wild around here with a lot of storms, but nothing like the people in the midwest have been struggling through.

On Sunday night we had major high winds and large hail. Winds strong enough to split a tree next to the garage. The part that fell landed on the fence, forcing it out of the ground. Fortunately, the man who installed it 12 years ago has a work ethic rarely seen these days. He says his former customers are "special" to him and he made sure to break from a new job and send a crew to cleanup and make repairs -- the day after the storm. What a relief ... always worried that the Golden Retrievers will escape!

Not a lot of knitting going on but I did get these self-striping wool socks finished. Don't you just love the colors? I do.

I even made some candy tonight. For charity. My neighbor and her friends are having a bake sale during this weekend's townwide yard sale event and all of their proceeds go to Relay for Life. Their team is a busy one and does all sorts of fund-raisers. I told her I would make my mother's grapenut and chocolate candy and I did. Yes, there is one piece missing. I felt it was my responsibility to taste test.

Hopefully some more knitting content next time.