Too Much Yarn

Hello...

I just typed a long post about my meeting Nicky Epstein and because I had an upgrade on my computer, it's not allowing popups.  When I tried to add a photo, it asked me if I want to allow popups, I said yes, and it refreshed my screen and my post was POOFed!  I'll have to tell you about Nicky in another post!

I typed earlier that I've been busy in the last two weeks with my REAL job, finishing the Hockey scrapbook for my daughter's team, and knitting, of course.  I finished the Monkey socks for the January Sockdown.  I started on the Central Park Hoodie, and another pair of socks for the February Sockdown.  Here are photos:

My Central Park Hoodie - I did it in 3 pieces (fronts and back) and then I decided to put them together so I'm working in one piece:

I've gone a little further since this photo was taken, but it's a pretty quick knit...  I just hope it's the right size.  I've used a bigger needle to get gauge, but the swatch was made using straight needles.  When I use circulars, apparently, my tension must be different so even though I made a bigger size than I need, it looks like it will be smaller than I expected.  Another factor to throw in is that I heard this yarn will grow after being wash - this is Dream In Color Classy, so it's a superwash wool.. we'll see - if it's smaller, I'll just have to make a bigger band for the fronts... we will see...

Mini Yarn Crawl and Sock Progress

On Sunday, I had to pick up what's left of I'm selling at the garage sale at Scrapbooks, Too in Bloomington.  I had the afternoon to myself so I decided to do a mini yarn crawl of the St. Paul yarn shops.  I had to return some yarn anyway at 3 Kittens.  So, I stopped at Borealis Yarn (my first visit there - picked up Louet Gems and Limari - the color that I made a hat for Rebeccaa), The Yanery (picked up Trekking Hand Art blue - the one that was 'taken away' from my cart at the Loopy Ewe), and 3 Kittens (just exchanged for the yarn).  I haven't received any yarn orders this week (thank goodness!!), but I did place a humongous order from Webs on the Limari as they were $7.99 each (regular price is $14).  I stocked up on those - I just love how soft they are and I can make projects pretty quickly!  That shipment should arrive next Monday.  On Sunday, I'll be attending a class by Nicky Epstein at Amazing Threads.  I thought of going to Knit Out at the Mall of America, but I'm on call this Saturday and after that, hubby and I may go to the Home & Patio Show in St. Paul and on Sunday afternoon, Emily's playing in their first District Tournament game in Oakdale (east St. Paul)...  so really, I won't be able to go... well, maybe I can go on Saturday morning...

Anyway, I have been working on my Serendipity socks.  I finished the first sock on Saturday (that was my record - cast on on Wednesday night, finished on Saturday afternoon).  I have 2 1/2 repeats left on the foot and then the toe, and I'm done.  I'll then finish the second Monkey sock and can you believe it?  That's 2 pairs of completed socks in a month??  But really, I haven't touched any of my work in progress (shame on me!!)  I should REALLY try to finish some of them - I 'm just envying Maria finishing her projects - but she has pretty projects - mine are boring - that's why they're not finished - I got bored with them... OK - I have to think positive and think of the numbers - how many finished projects will I have in 2008?  Look for a 2008 Finished photo album I'll put up!  Here is the one finished sock (Alex is my model this time)

Knitting Away...

I completed ONE Monkey Sock and guess what????  I couldn't resist (I hope Maria is busy packing for her vacation and not reading this...)  I started on my Blue Moon Fiber Arts Sock Club Socks.  They are so addicting - I couldn't put them down!  I'm 14 rows away from the heel of the first one.  I promise I won't start any other socks until I get these 2 pairs done - that way, I'm in for a chance for prizes for the January February Sockdown in Ravelry (need an incentive, you know...)

Earlier this week, I tackled on my very first mitten.  Unfortunately, I needed more yarn to make the second one so I will have to stop at Amazing Threads today to get another skein of the Araucania Limari - this is to go with the hat I made Emily.  Oh and guess what's happening at Amazing Threads today?  YARN TASTING!  They will be open until 10 p.m. so I'll have plenty of time to browse and shop (wait - I  mean browse only).

Continuing...

Emily's team had a tough weekend.  They played at a tournament in Stillwater and lost all 3 games!  This is a first!  They lost the first two games in overtime and the last game with 5 minutes left of the game.  The girls played very well and played hard!  Though we were disappointed, we enjoyed watching the games.  Driving back and forth (40 minutes each way) and waiting for the games to start means lots of times for knitting!  I casted on the Monkey socks for the January Sockdown on Wednesday (Jan 30).  As of this morning, I'm working on the foot for the first sock.  This is the first time I'm using Addi Size 1 (2.5 mm) needles - I've been using 3.0 mm.  The sock seem a little snug, but I know it will stretch.  With smaller needles, it seemed like it's taking a LOT longer to finish!  Here is the progress:

Friday night and Monday morning:

I recently made my children ear-flapped hats, using Araucania Limari (or Malabrigo Chunky) so it only took me 2 hours to finish one... The hockey girls have been pestering me to make them one, but Becca, was persistent and I asked her to meet me at the yarn shop to pick out a color she would like.  She and her mom showed up but couldn't find a color to her liking.  There was a mitten made out of a blue that she liked, but they were out of that blue.  I told her mom I'll check online and we can order that elsewhere.  I came home and checked my stash.  Sure enough, I had that blue colorway stashed!  I called her mom and said I'm going to surprise her tomorrow.  I'll work on the hat that night (Saturday).  This is what it looks like:

Let's introduce a WIP that I really like but have been distracted to not work on it...  This is the Ondeluex Cables (Wavy Cables) scarf.  It is reversible - both sides of the scarf looks the same.  How is that achieved?  Well, it's a cable rib - you don't see the purls, but they are there!  It calls for 3 skeins of Classic Elite Cashmere.  I've used up one skein so far.  I've been asked if I've finished this - I may as well pick up this and work on it.  I like the change of pace to work on tiny needles (size 1, 2) and then work on size 15 - on in this case, size 10.  Here's the WIP photos of this beautiful scarf.  When it's done, it needs to be blocked and fluffled so it will feel VERY luxurious!

 

Completed Projects & New Projects...

Before I forget, here is the kit for the Kaleidoscope Bag.  I dare not begin it or it will be added to my WIP list!  It's so pretty in that bag!

I finished my Crosshatch socks yesterday.  I just love the look of them.  They have been washed and are currently drying on the sock blockers.  Maybe I can wear them tomorrow... this will be my first pair of Blue Moon Fiber Arts socks.

I have more to tell, but I'm being kicked out by DH (not sure if I want to call him Dear or Darling at this time because he is not letting me use MY computer cos he wants to be play Bejeweled!!!!!!!!!)

Later...