Finally the pictures!

So first, the yarn. My first ever yarn dyeing. Kool-Aid on KnitPicks natural sock yarn. I used Lemon-Lime, Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Pink Lemonade - handpainted then steamed on the stovetop. Overall I'm pleased. It's pretty. Not really my colors, but pretty.



Now, pics of the kids. It's been a while. For those who may not know, Natalie is 4 and Ethan is 2.

Still no pictures

So here we are...another post without pictures. Not so fun for you, the reader, I fear. I know I prefer reading blog entries that have pictures. Breaks things up a bit. The sad thing is that I got some lovely pictures this morning and the computer won't read the disk. So I either have to fiddle with it or toss the disk and try to get new pictures. *sigh* It's really too bad, too, because two of the pictures were very lovely shots of my children and the other two were yarn.

The aforementioned yarn is actually my very first dye experiment! It was thrilling. I used Kool-Aid - figured it might be wise to not invest a lot in it, just in case I hated it or was just bad at dyeing. I learned some good lessons, which I will keep in mind when I go to dye the next skein. My finished product looks nice, but sadly, it's a bit too pastel for my taste. You'll understand when I post a picture.

My other fun news is that I got to see Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the Yarn Harlot, last night! She was at Threaded Bliss and it was great! Sheila, kudos to you for coordinating two great book signings so close together! The Yarn Harlot really is as entertaining in person as she is on her blog. AND, I got to see (and touch) the Olympic sweater!! WOW. For those who don't know, Stephanie knit one of those Norwegian, very intricate skiing sweaters in 16 days for the Knitting Olympics. Even she admits she was insane for trying it. Oh, and Sock...I got to touch Sock, too!

That about sums it up for now...still hard at work on lace baby blanket #1. I'm on my third pattern now and this one is actually working, so I'm sticking with it. Pray for speedy needles for me. I'm ready to be done and I still have another blanket to make.

Excited!

Today's the day!! I get to go see the Mason-Dixon Girls tonight! Rumor has it there will be RC Cola, Moon Pies and Whoopie Pies aplenty. I've agonized over what to wear, since in theory, I could end up in a picture in their blog (yikes!), even if I'm just in the background...and more importantly, I've agonized over what knitting to bring!! Heaven forbid I'd show up at this booksigning with nothing in my hands!! It needed to be something fairly simple, since I didn't want to have to keep referring to the pattern - so the lace baby blanket was out, as was my Fawkes sock or any other new lacey pattern. In an effort to keep things very simple, I started a new sock, using the Mock Croc Socks pattern. Very simple and easy to remember. I'll probably stick a few other projects in my bag, too, because it looks like we'll have the chance to sit around and knit with Ann and Kay after the event is over!! Can you stand it??? I think Nashville is the last stop on their book tour before they start the second leg and they commented that they haven't had time to just sit and knit with people, so being the accommodating sort of folks that we are (ok, I had nothing to do with it), we're obliging.

So that's the big news from here! I really haven't been knitting much this week. Rosemary and I have a new episode of CraftBorg up, so go listen and give us some feedback! We're still working on the sound quality issues, but it's a good episode.

SockapalOOOza Finished!

My SockapalOOOza socks are finished!! Again, the pattern is Lava Flow, by SockBug - done on size 2 needles in Plymouth Sockotta. Lookit all the psychidelic sunshiney zigzagginess!

Picture Time!

I know, it's been a while with the pictures. Mostly due to the fact that I need to use Greg's computer to upload them and now that he's moved into his new office, it's not quite as convenient. But here you go. A picture fix. Since Blogger always seems to have odd formatting, I'll just list what the pictures are here:

1&2: SockapalOOOza socks! erm...sock! (the 2nd one is just past the heel, but no pic of it today) This is the Lava Flow pattern by SockBug, worked in Plymouth Sockotta yarn. There's a lot of stripey goodness on the bottom of the foot, so I'm hoping to get a good pic of that when both socks are finished.
3: My new summer bag. Rosemary requested a picture.
4. My newest yarn! Laceweight from HandpaintedYarn.com in Citrus. I have 2 skeins and will be making a large stole soon.
5. Finally...Hatmione!! It's very difficult to take a good pic of a hat when it's on your own head. Cascade 220 yarn. And you know, since this is a picture that I took of myself, I do believe it qualifies for Self-Portrait Sunday (of which I've been a total slacker)!

One foot down, one to go

Today I finished one of my Sockapaloooza socks! Sorry, no pic as of yet. Perhaps tomorrow. I haven't started the second one yet. We have a friend staying with us tonight - unfortunately he gave us very short notice and our house is a pit, so I'm spending my time cleaning. My hope is that I can get the house mostly in order, or at the very least, not scary - and I can start sock #2 later this evening. Thankfully, said friend doesn't land at the airport until 10:30 tonight.

In other knitty news, I ordered a new sock yarn and my first real laceweight! Also ordered a lace shawl & stole pattern. No linkies today, my dears...just don't have time. Anyhoo, I'm eager to get started on those. 'Course that means I've gotta slog my way through some more things on my WIP list first. *sigh* (makes mental note to mail chemo caps to Roberta tomorrow)

Hope you enjoyed Episode 0 of CraftBorg. We know it was a little rough...that's what an episode 0 is for, right? Rose and I are eager to get started on Episode 1.

Talked with an acquaintance about photography last night...she's a pretty good amateur, like I am, and has actually entered several photos in local contests (and won!), so I was curious to learn if she has taken any classes. Nope. She just experiments like I do! Apparently she picks a spot to visit (parks or local areas of interest) some weekend afternoons and goes just to take pictures...I asked her to call me the next time she does that. I'd love to join her.

Back to my cleaning...

The Big Reveal

*insert heralding trumpets here*...announcing the CraftBorg Podcast!

Check it out...give us a listen. Remember, it's just our first recording, so bear with us as we learn as we go!

A WIP update

It's been a while since I've done a real WIP update, so here are some progress pictures. Up first, the Here & There Cables scarf (Cascade 220 on size 7 needles):



The Fawkes sock. I have about 2 more inches before I can start the toe increases:



Chevron Lace Baby Blanket...it's not really a hard pattern, but so far it has given me more grief than anything I've made to date:



And finally, some new sock yarn!! Socks That Rock in Beryl and Petrified Wood.

This one's for Andria

This post is for Andria, who pointed out that I've been slacking with the blogging lately. Unfortunately for her, I really don't have much to say. HA!

I had family in town late last week and into the weekend (aunt, uncle, cousins), so it was nice to spend some time with them. Went to church Saturday night. Helped Greg start building his new desk down in his new office. Knitted on my sock (Fawkes). That's really about it since I last posted.

Today the kids had tumbling and I really didn't want to go since it was pouring rain. But since we missed last week due to illness, I wanted to make it today. It's great to see Natalie get more confident with some of the things she's been scared of (like rolling in the barrel and donut mats).

After tumbling, we went to Sam's - hooray for buying in bulk! Came home, ate lunch, put kids down for naps and just a few minutes ago I couldn't resist any longer and cast on for a new hat. Funky thick & thin yarn...should be interesting!

Back from hiatus

I'm back! Had the in-laws here for almost a week and then got the flu, but now I'm back. Just in time to share these...

This is the current sock I'm working on...Fawkes...pattern is River Rapids from Sock Bug, on 2 circular needles. Yarn is Bombay from Two Waters Fiberworks.


And this is my new yarn storage! Wire cube thingies from Target!

I'm a Bad Blogger

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I feel like I should be posting, but I really don't have much to say! I've felt like I'm sort of floundering since the Knitting Olympics. Not in a bad way...more of a "I really need to get back to all those projects" sort of way.

Breathing a sigh of relief

As much as I enjoyed the Knitting Olympics, I have a confession to make. I'm so glad I'm finished!! I truly did enjoy knitting my Clapotis, but I did really push myself to finish early...what that translates to is lost and lots of neverending knitting.

Anyway, I picked up some very soft yarn and am leisurely trying a sock with a short-row heel. The first attempt was fine on one side (the knit side of the gusset), but had significant holes on the purl side. So I frogged it and tried again, this time, with success.

That's all the news from here.

Bringing Home Gold

Here it is. My finished Clapotis. Completed in 9 days.




Materials used:
Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Socks That Rock" yarn (fingering weight) in Moss Agate
Size 4 needles

It was a whole lotta knitting, but I absolutely love the finished product and I'm thrilled with my yarn choice!

KO, Day 9 and SPS

More good progress on Clapotis and now I'm just going to make you wait for the final picture. mwuahahahahah

It's also Self-Portrait Sunday! I actually took this one when we were outside in the snow yesterday.


And here's one I just thought was kinda cool - a tree stump in our neighbor's woodpile.

KO Day 8 and what we did today

Day 8 of the Knitting Olympics and still no picture of my Clapotis. I'm making progress...believe me! In fact, I will, without a doubt, finish before closing ceremonies. Maybe I can get you a picture tomorrow...

Here is what we did today.

KO, day 7...So Sue Me

Ok, ok, I missed a few days AND I'm updating today without a picture. SO SUE ME!! Here's why I missed a few days...Monday and Tuesday were both busy days, so I made very little progress and felt there was no point in putting up a picture. Yesterday, however, I made a *lot* of progress. Unfortunately for you, Dear Reader, it is a very gloomy and overcast day here, which means that any digital picture taken inside this house will look really bad. Here's hoping tomorrow will be sunny just for that reason!

I have now dropped the 12th ladder in Clapotis - that's the one that goes all the way down to the point at the bottom. Now it's just a matter of getting to the 55" mark so I can start decreasing. I did realize last night that I could be finished with this by the end of the weekend if I really buckle down, so that's the plan.

KO, Day 3

Another day, some more knitting. First, a close-up.


Then, a progress pic.


Lastly, here is Maggie in her favorite spot (on our bed).

KO, Day 2

Day 2 of the Knitting Olympics finds me almost finished with the 2nd pattern repeat of Section 3. I'd hoped these colors would be more accurate in this picture, but alas, they are not. But you get the idea...

KO, Day 1

So far, so good. I finished the Section 2 increases, but because I'm using fingering weight yarn and smaller needles, I'll have to add a few more pattern repeats (3, actually, which equals 36 more rows) in order to make the Clapotis the proper size.

Today's the Day!!

It's finally here!! Today is the day the Olympic flame will be lit, which signifies the start of both the Olympics in Torino and the Knitting Olympics around the world. I'm itching to get started because I'm just dying to have my finished Clapotis to wear! I'm so pleased with my choice of yarn - I think it will be really nice to work with.

I do have a cramp in my right shoulder, those muscles right at the base of my neck and at the start of my shoulder. Perhaps I should do some stretching. It's a pity I don't have access to a massage therapist. I mean really...I need to be at the top of my knitting game.

So I raise my needles along with the nearly 4000 other Knitting Olympians and say Godspeed to all of us. May our needles be swift, may our hands not cramp and may our yarn pull out of the center-pull balls with ease.