Pittsburgh

My kitty "Pittsburgh" died today. She was a fun loving fluffy white chicky with more sass than you could shake a stick at. She chose us to live with one day when we lived in Pittsburgh - hence her name. I don't think she ever really liked her name. She only ever responded to "Cat"

Cat was about 16 years old. Much to young to be taken away. Alas, her health problems, starting with pyrometria about 6 years ago, have taken us to this day. We will miss her a lot. So will Kitten. They might have hated each other when they first met, but they really are friends now. I feel most sad for her. She has never been the lone cat. It is going to be a lonely few weeks for her until she stops "looking" for the cat.

I wish I had more pictures of her before she was sick. I do, but none of them are on my computer. I really want to share the happy pictures with you. This one looks so sad for some reason. It was taken about 2 months ago. Maybe she knew her time was coming.

Everybody give your kitties and doggies, and fishies, and other fun petties hugs and kisses. It's hard to know they might one day be gone. Spend as much time with them as you can. Don't take a single day for granted.

This is hard for a farm girl to write. I am used to pets and animals being temporary. I really was not prepared for the kind of emotion I feel right now. We really are losing a family member that has been part of our family for 10years. Just slightly less time than we've been married. She has lived in 4 states and 6 apartments. Some of her hair has been knitted into everything I've ever made, and probably stuck into everything I've ever cooked too.

I was just thinking , "I wonder what I'll miss most..."

Maybe the way she would run over to protect me when DH tickles me.

Maybe the fact that any paper or plastic bag on the ground was "hers", and she would lay on it until she was good and done.

Maybe the immense hair wads that came off her when you brushed her.

Maybe the way she always knew I was sad, and would come over for a cuddle.

Maybe sitting on DH's lap in the car. She hated the carrier, but was happy on lap.

Maybe it'll be the way she stared down a Buck in Michigan.

Maybe her Mouser instincts.

Maybe her aloof way of laying on the floor with her paws crossed.

Maybe.

I have a feeling it'll be the kitty head butts when she wanted to be petted or given a snack; and the rubs on the legs. Kitten never really figured out rubbing. I'll surely miss that.

Bye Bye Cat. I'll miss you.

Hello again!

I have made it back from my trip- all in one piece - go me! I have so much to share, I can hardly wait!

First, a project update:

Mystery Stole #3 - clue #4 complete. Wee! Clue 5 is supposed to reveal the theme!!! Friday is sooo far away!

My "Unmentionables", i.e. petti pants. I have finished the waist decreases, and am working my way up to the waistband. Good beach knitting, btw. Didn't have to pay much attention at all to this project. I took 3 skeins of yarn with me - out of the 8. I was right on target. I left my vacation with only about 1/4 skein left. I'd have felt a bit dumb if I ran out or brought way too much. I love my stash, but it does not need to go on vacation with me. If I miss it, I'll add to it.

And, add to it I did! I managed to not buy yarn for 2 weeks, and treated myself at the yarn store in Ocean City. I got 2 skeins of Froehlich Woole Special Blauband for socks. It's a good old school sock yarn. I have some vintage socks I want to make from it. I also got Austermann Step with Aloe. This might be for DH's Syncopation hat. He's a little unsure about the aloe. He doesn't think his head needs anymore moisture than it already has. The Atacama Alpaca is the back up yarn. Either will work, but I hope the step works best. I think Alpaca will be too hot for the walking furnace that is DH.

The yellow needles are from an antique store. I saw an article about making bracelets from old knitting needles. I can hear people fainting at the idea of "ruining" a pair of vintage needles to make them into bracelets. Sorry, but I don't use straight needles, and I love jewelry.

Now, some vacation highlights:

Day 1: Drive to Ocean City New Jersey. This should take about 3.5 hours. It took 5. we sat in immense traffic. I was worried that our room would be absconded with by some other family member. DH said that it wouldn't happen. Whoever wanted our room would have to be able to move him to get it. (We got our room) Somehow, everyone got stuck in traffic, and we still ended up being first to arrive. Usually we all arrive around 11am - 12pm. We didn't get there until 2. We were STARVING. My mom and Dad came next. Cool... except they didn't have the food with them. They only had luggage. My brothers had the food in their truck. We went and got lunch. Till we got back, the rest of the clan was there. all 14 of us!

Day 2: Church. at least DH and I didn't spontaneously combust. We high tailed it back to the house and went to the beach!!!

Kaiden was in love with the sand and the art of digging holes. Last time he was at OC with us he was 1, and afraid of the sand and water. He wanted nothing to do with getting any sand on him at all! Not so much this time. Kaiden is the most talkative and kind 3 year old boy I've ever met. What a sweety my cousin is raising!

Day 3: Rainy day. DH and I went to the yarn store, and the antique stores on Asbury. Asbury is a little downtown shopping area. We had a good time looking around - and it wasn't too hot! By the late afternoon it cleared up, but it was too late to beach it that day. we spent a lot of time just hanging out with the family.

Day4: Jet Skiing! Aside from the scary video, lots of fun. No forced water entry. (grin) Then off to the beach again!

My Brother David and his girlfriend Kate buried my other brother, Mark. Of course they drew boobs on him.

Mark and Megan found a crab for Kaiden! He named it Mr. Krabbs. Guess what show he likes?

Day 5: Mom and I went to the nail salon. Mani and Pedi time! Then we went shopping. we love shopping. we considered sending for reinforcements to take our packages back to the house so we could shop more, but decided not to. If we wanted to get any beach time in that day, we had to cut our shopping trip short.

I officially attached the legs together on my Unmentionables today!

Mark is the tube man. My family has brought a tractor tube with them every year for 25+ years to the beach. Lots of families used to do this, but we seam to be the only ones left that still do. Why is it beige and striped? Regular black rubber inner tubes cause "tube rash" - basically a rash from rubbing on the rubber. To prevent this my mom has come up with a way to cover the tube with canvas, thereby reducing the tube rash. The cover also seams to help prevent holes. Our tube is about 5'5" across, and has held up to 10 people at a time. You should see the mouths drop open when they see this big striped tube headed down to the water.

DH and I enjoyed our seafood night. I don't like the one traditional meal my mom serves - corn soup. We go out to eat on Corn Soup night every year - usually for seafood. mmmm. This year we chose wisely.

Day 6: the last beach day. we all were up early, and headed down to the sand as soon as we could.

Our biggest house full reached 24 people. This line up is small in comparison. We are really good at forcing other beach goers from our midst. We take up lots of room, and have lots of stuff. We also dig really big holes, which means large sand piles.

Kaiden really liked jumping waves with his mom.

I really liked watching my Dad on the tube. I didn't get any pictures of me on the tube, but I can tell you, I had fun!

Day 7: Time to pack and go. :( We said goodbye to the Kentucky family, and the Pennsylvania family. DH and I decided to spend a few more hours on the boardwalk. It doesn't really matter what time we leave. Going across the GWB is a nightmare anytime of day. OC's boardwalk is a great old fashioned boardwalk. It is 2 miles long, and filled with food, souvenirs, and games.

We make the trek every night, since night is the best time - all the lights are amazing. We had all our favorite treats - Cotton candy, funnel cake, salt water taffy, Mack and Manco Pizza, Boardwalk Fries, Frozen chocolate bananas, Johnson's Carmel popcorn, and Khors Brothers custard. All of those treats take me back to being a little kid. We got home to CT around 7pm, with a stop for dinner. Our clothes all smell like OC, and I love it!

Some yearly vacation constants:

No matter who comes, or how many of us there are, we always do a few things. 1. Bring food for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - and snacks. We only eat out for our "boardwalk snack" each night. 2. We say 1 block form the beach and boardwalk, and never move our cars - unless it is to move closer to the house. 3. Bike riding on the boardwalk in the morning is awesome, and bike riding around town all the time is the norm. 4. Someone always has to sleep on the porch. 5. We see at least one movie - this year it was the Simpsons.

That's it! If you made it to the end of this Post, congrats!

a vacation update

So far so good! We're having tons of fun. I cannot upload pictures now, as I don't have my cable, but I will in the future. I promise! I'm getting lots of knitting done, along with tanning and visiting with my family.
The f\unniest thing that happened so far was today during jet skiing. When you go jet skiing, you have towatch a safety video. We all have watched it a million times - like everytime we have ever went. This year, the rental place bought a new video. Aside from the fact that the new video is missing the 1980's "saved by the Bell" graphics, the video was pretty much the same. Until you got to the part where the voice over talked about falling off the jet ski.
All I have to say about it right now is, the video included the line, "riders must wear regulation wet suits, as bathing suits will not provide adiquate protection from accidental forced water entry into the anus or vagina."
ahem.

Shaped Lace Tee

I decided to post this quick, before I left for Vacation. I finished it last night - mostly at SnB, but I still had a good chunk to seam when I got home. But, it is complete! And in time to wear on my trip!

Pattern: Shaped Lace Tee (krista) from Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan McGowan-Michael
Yarn: Cascade Pima Tencel - 6 balls
Needles: KP interchangeables, size 7 and 5
Started: July 6
Finished: July 19
Notes: Out in cyberspace, there is pattern modifications to make a "traditional" short sleeve, as opposed to the cap sleeve written in the book. I followed the short sleeve mods, and I like the result quite a bit more than I would have if I had followed the cap sleeve instructions. I like a longer sleeve on myself usually. Other than that, no changes except the yarn sub! I also (no surprise) put off the seaming for 3days. If I had just bucked up and seamed the thing, I could have been finished on the 15th. When will I ever grow to love seaming?
As a side note, my seaming isn't too bad on this one....
MS3 clue #4 came out today! Yay! Beach knitting!
See ya'll in a week or so!

July Socktopia Socks

Dude. I love open toed shoes in the summer. But, I hate the fart noises these flip flops make. (actually, I have two more pairs that do it too). I needed some sort of sock to keep the moisture away, and keep my feet fart free. enter my July Socktopia Socks:

Name: Summer Lovin' Flip Flop Socks

Pattern: Dude, I just winged it

Yarn: Art Yarns Supermerino

Needles: KP size 1

Notes: They work! No Fart Noises! No sweaty arches!

and, since I can't resist:

Your Porn Star Name Is...

Busty de Lusty

What's" Your Porn Star Name?

What I learned about seaming

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Noble Excellency Costumechick the Sanguine of Bismorton Shropcake Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I saw that on Erin's blog, and couldn't resist.
Anne added a few things to the "I never" knitting list. I'll add my experiences here:
Knitting on the beach - I am SO the Queen of Beach knitting
Thinking about your knitting while you're supposed to be focused on something else
Knitting during a meeting - -oh yeah
Knitting a boyfriend/husband sweater - It's knit, but it's not finished yet...
Attending a Stitch & Bitch group
Asking for/receiving knitting-related gifts for bdays, holidays, etc.
Knitting on an airplane - odd, but, no. I haven't. I need to go more places
Learning knitting vocabulary in a foreign language - Learning... along w/ swear words
Having a Wall of Yarn - I have enough yarn for a wall, but don't have a shelf picked out yet. Next month....
Taking a knitting-related trip (including out-of-state yarn-buying junkets) oh WEBS

I was just thinking about all the fun and off color additions you could make to this list...
Knitting while naked
Knitting while drunk
Knitting while high
knitting with a hang over
knitted lingerie
knitted a body part
Used a needle to scratch inside your ear - or somewhere else a little/lot nasty
Used yarn for something other than its intended purpose
Used needles as chop sticks

I could go on, but you get the idea. Note that I did not admit to any of the above, but those that know me IRL probably don't need me to admit to anything.
What I learned about seaming:
I hate it. Ok. I didn't learn that last night. I already knew it. I just reinforced the lesson. What I learned is that I hate "graft" seaming - like you do at shoulder seams and the under arm bits on a sweater. It's not too bad in stockinette stitch, but it both sucks and blows on a lace pattern. in-freaking-possible to make it look perfect. AND you can still tell it's a seam! It's not like the graft is invisible. In a lace pattern, there is suddenly a solid line w/ no holes. hmm... I wonder where the seam is? Blech.
On a good note, I got the stupid shoulders done, and the right sleeve. Not too much for one night, but I also worked at finishing up my July socks for Socktopia. Still not as much knitting as normal. What could I have been doing?
Getting a MANI and PETTI! I love a good day of nail maintenance. I tipped really well too. It has been a YEAR since I went. I was in sad shape. He deserved every penny I set down last night. I cannot go on Holiday with bad nails. Pretty toes look better in the sand. That's all there is to it.

Anyone know why I have a single highlighted word that won't go away? Me neither....
Later today, a post of the july socks. It will be my last until I get back form the BEACH! Unless my brother has his computer along w/ wifi. then I can probably sneak in an update...

Syncopated clock

Do you know this song? It is an old favorite in concert band. duh dunt duh dunt dad, dunt da dah!

or how about "Fascinating Rhythm?" "Fascinating Rhythm, got me on the go!"

Band Geek Flag flying high today. I've had a weird combination of these two songs running through my head since last night when I finished my hat:

I was a little concerned that the purple wouldn't show up enough on the rainbow background, since there is now much contrast. I think it is subtle, and kind of nice. Way to pastel for my taste, but it will make a nice gift. For who? Don't know. I'm sure I'll need one though.
The Details:

Pattern: Syncopation Hat form Interweave Knits Summer 2007

Yarn: Jojoland Melody, colorway Y104 (the rainbow part) and Jaeger Alpaka Pur "Lt Grey"

Needles: Clover (?) Bamboo DPNs, size 2

Notes: This pattern called for Socks That Rock. I have never even felt Socks That Rock, so I looked to the stash. The Jaeger is left over from the Glasgow Lace sweater from last fall - it took a little over half a 50 gram ball for this hat. I chose the Jaeger because I still had two more balls if the one partial ball wasn't enough. Turns out, it was plenty. The rainbow yarn came from a swap. I've been eyeing the jojoland on Ebay for about a year. I've never ordered it, since shipping two balls of yarn seamed dumb when the deals on whole bags were so much better. I digress. I added this to the stash about a week ago, and decided that it wasn't to be socks - it is not superwash. I am not worried about not washing and drying my socks, but DH cannot be trusted. Since I have been aching to knit a bit of stranded color work, and I remembered this hat was in IK, my project fell into my lap. In case you are wondering, I still have half of the ball of Jojoland left too.

The hat is much stretchier than I thought it would be - being stranded and all that. I made the women's size, guessing that it would be a bit tight since I am pretty new to color work, and newbie color work people have a tendency to knit too tight. I popped it on my head last night, and it is not tight at all. It's not too big, but it had "bun room" - a plus since it is my hairstyle of choice. It also fit snugly when I had my hair down - also good. I could make my tiny head the kids size, and still have "bun room" because of the give. Just for kicks, I had DH try on the hat. He has a monster 25" head. I kid you not. It fit him! Now, it was a bit too short, as the extra width of his noggin took up the length of the hat, but he could get it on! This is good news, as I want to make this hat for him, in more DH-like colors. I won't have to adjust the pattern or yarn size for once!

(The colors were kind of nice on him, as he is dark haired and has a darker complexion. He still doesn't want a pastel rainbow hat. oh well)

My only regret in using the light purple Jaeger is that it blended too much at the top. You lose the cool spirally thing it does as the hat decreases.

I'm still working on DH's Dura Eupora scarf -in my head mostly. I've done a bit of research on similar knittng techniques, and plan to give it another go soon. When I make his Syncopation hat I would like it it coordinate with the scarf, since, at least in theory, they would both be wearable this winter. This is the problem - (I can't believe I'm going to type this) i don't have any yarn. ok I have yarn, but he doesn't WANT a pastel rainbow hat. I'd like to get a soft tan / warm grey yarn, and use black as the contrast. His new winter coat is brown leather, and the scarf yarn is a light tan/ grey color. I'd like them to at least kinda go together. I have the black yarn. I just need the tan/grey. Of course, I have no time to go to the yarn store before I leave for vacation on Saturday, or this would be my "house project", as Kelly suggested. I just can't be sure that the little yarn store in OC will have what I am looking for.

What I am leaning towards this minute:

Beach: the petti pants. Questions be damned! or maybe I want ot work on my gloves....

House: "We Call Them Pirates" stranded hat. This would be for me. I need to see if I have yarn for this still. I think I do..... and my Mystery Stole 3. I can take the Syncopation pattern with me, then if they HAVE the yarn, I would be all set..... hmmm

SNBers - be prepared for me and my ton of options tomorrow. My planets must be out of whack. I usually pretty decisive...

Another meme...

SO I said that I was going to finish up the July Socktopia Socks. I lied. I was way too ito this hat. I really like knitting it, even if it is slow going. I really have to watch what I am doing. Keeping correct tension in two colors is not something that is "natural" in my fingers yet.
I think you can see by the colors why it isn't exactly a hat DH would wear.
He also pointed out that it was obviously a hard hat to work on. I hadn't talked in two hours. haha.


…the knitting meme. Thought this was cool. Things you’ve done, things you want to do, things you have no interest in doing…
Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.
Afghan/Blanket (baby sized)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting - well not on purpose...
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting- I think I've done this. I'm not entirely sure I know what this means
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dyeing with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living - not in the plan, but I'd entertain the idea
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dyeing yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere- I even have the yarn!
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows -odd, I've never done this
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair - ummm. no.
Hair accessories
Knitting in public




FUn! ok, I'm tagging Kelly, Ann, Pheobe, and Erin. Go!

New Things

"New things" can have a lot of different meanings. I could be talking about buying a new book - completely possible for me. I could be talking about new yarn - also possible, but I'm trying to restrain myself. I could be trying new food, or a new store. Right now I have a lot of "new" in my life. A new apartment, a new path to work, new people to hire, new plays to read, new furniture to buy. It seams only fitting that I recognise all this "new" in my knitting as well. (All right, it's my justification. ok?!)

I finished up the NEW Clue #3 on the Mystery Stole 3.

I like the contrast of the sharp "diamond-y" parts with the softness of the "flower-y" bits. The edging is way cool too. I could totally see this as a motif running down the outside ankle of a pair of socks. Still lovin' the stole! This week's clue is supposed to be 135 rows. Awesome! Just in time for my to take on Vacation. There is no NEW clue the week after, so technically, you are to have two weeks worth of knitting with this clue. I doubt I will let it take two weeks.

Speaking of Vacation, I need to line up some NEW projects to take along. I need some beach knitting, and some house knitting...

ahem, back to the post.

I also finished up the Shaped Lace Tee knitting on Friday night. I set it out to block on Saturday, and can't wait to seam it up.

Well, I hate seaming. I really can't wait to wear it. Seaming, I could skip. I think I am going to watch for a finishing class to come around at a LYS. I'd really like to learn it, rather than just do it. My finishing looks ok, but it could be better. Maybe a class could inspire me to NEW standards.

I cast on for a NEW pair of socks on Saturday. They are for Socktopia, and in the "Summer Lovin'" category. Hopefully, finished tomorrow!

Lastly, for those who have been reading my blog, you know I'm hankerin' to try my hands at some more color work. (no more stripes! Dear god!) I really wanted to do some stranding or fair isle. I was all set to practice on socks, but then for some reason, cast on for a hat. (shrug) The Syncopation hat from the latest issue of Interweave Knits jumped on my needles. The first 7 rows are a BITCH, but then it gets way easier to handle. This technique might be my NEW obsession. Really, the only color work I've done was a couple swatches and the Tomato sweater. This hat is quite a NEW experience. I showed the picture to DH, and said that I felt compelled to knit it, but I didn't think I'd even wear it. I'll probably give it to charity.

He said, "Who's Charity?"

I said, "Charity. You know- a donation."

He said, "Oh. Ha! I thought it was someone at work I didn't know. Well, I'd wear it."

I can't actually give it to him, as the size is a good 2" too small for him, and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't wear a rainbow pastel hat. It is a good learning experience though, and if I manage to make it look like it should, I will make him one in DH appropriate colors.

The question I'll leave you with is, what should my NEW vacation projects be? I'm taking along the MS3, but I need a good beach project, and another house project.

First, beach:

Following charts on the beach is hard - wind and sand and water - too messy. That puts the second DH Syncopation hat out of the running. I don't want to cast on for a pair of socks, as I am waiting for August to start a new pair. It can't be too big - so the bathrobe and the petti pants are out. I haven't set up my yarn yet (I know! I can't believe it either! the NEW apartment is still not finished) so I don't want to (can't) wind anything. I have until Friday to decide. It will probably take that long.

Second, house:

The house is easier. I can take along something with charts. I don't really want another lace project. I need something easy to pick up and put down, and not easily destroyed by little hands. (Three year olds tend to be a bit handsy) The bathrobe is on coned yarn - a bit much to pack I think. The pettipants are a good option, but I get to listen to family members ask all week "why' I'm making underwear. maybe better left at home. I'm leaning towards the second hat. It does hinge on having the right yarn for the job. I will have to check the stash. I guess if I don't have anything in the stash, I could make this my "buy it at the yarn store in Ocean City" yarn purchase. But what if they don't have anything appropriate?

well I just don't know. I might have to take all the projects to SnB on Thursday, and see what the gals think I should take.

Indecisive much?

I just realized that I am over half way through the year, and I haven't updated my goals for 2007!

this is what I wrote in December:

"Next year I hope to meet more new people ( a given), go new places - maybe Vermont, and keep learning new things. I want to really master color work - specifically fair isle, but also insertia, continue on the lace quest - doing hard things involving grafting and fancy mitered edges, and finally conquering the scarf for DH. (I will do it!!) I'd also like to take a class about wig building and attend USITT.2007 will bring my 10th Anniversary, a milestone birthday, and the demise of a credit card bill that has been looing forever."

I have met new people, and will continue to do so. The highlights so far have been Anna Deveire Smith and Brain Stokes Mitchell. I haven't made it to Vermont, but I did go more places in Connecticut that I hadn't been to before - including Danbury. I'm working on the color work thing now, but have yet to really give insartia a go. Still working on the lace thing. No fancy grafting, or mitered corners, but I've added beading and entrelac lace to the repertoire. I still have not conquered the scarf. It's on the list. The Wig class and USITT are not in the budget, but maybe next year. I had the 10th anniversary, and the birthday, and am paying the credit card off this week!

Pretty good I think!

Wow. That was a long post. I should shut up now. Go do something NEW, like work.

My Sockapalooza Socks!

They are finished. Whooot!




Ok sockapalooza pal, you know the drill. Look away! Surprises are only surprises if you don't know what they are!







Introducing:
"Fry Your Rods and Cones Spiral Lace Knee Highs"





The details:
Pattern: umm, well it is kinda my version of the spiral lace sock from "Knitting Lingerie Style". I used the book's basic stitch, and the concept of increasing the needle size instead of the stitch count to accomplish the calf shaping. I did my own toe and heel, the stitch count is way different than theirs, and the yarn isn't even close.
Needles: KP classic circs- size 0, 1; Addi Turbo - size 2
Yarn: Lanatte Baby Ull Superwash, 3 balls.
Notes: This was an easy knit - technically. The hard part was the first 4 inches of the ankles. I kept thinking, "when will I get to the size 1's?" Ankle 2 was even worse. I found that I was bribing myself to knit the pink socks. Once I switched to the 1's, and then finally, the 2's, the project flew along at a rapid pace. Just the ankles! OMG!


The stitch pattern is very stretchy - both in width and length. It would be a good, easy to memorize choice for a pair of socks for a person you don't know (or can't find) measurements for. I do not recommend staring at Hot Pink Yarn for a month. (The pictures look a lot more tame than the color really is. Back at the beginning of June I posted about these socks, and the color in that post is more accurate color wise.) I have nothing against pink. I've always been a purple girl myself, but I can get behind a good Barbie color every once and a while. The problem, since you asked, is that I have been looking at hot pink for a month, and I actually bought a hot pink shirt. I've absorbed it into my brain! The Costumechick of a month ago would never have bought a hot pink shirt, unless it was drop dead sexy - maybe not even then. Hot pink has corrupted my brain!!
Remind me to not knit a gift in yellow. If I start buying yellow clothes, it's all over. I've lost it completely.
Will I make a pair of knee highs ever again? Why of course, but his time for ME. I've made 2 pair, both as swaps. Next time, the endless length will be for me. ALL ME!

In other news:

The Shaped Lace Tee is moving along......... I am to the shoulders on the front. I might be able to squeak this out before I go on vacation next week! It'd be a good top to take along!

Yarn aquisition

Do I need more yarn?

Like I need another hole in my head.

Did I still get some more?

You bet ya'.

I don't make it up to WEBS very often. Well, not as often as I'd like too. It's not THAT far away, I just view it as a special trip, not really a spur of the moment type adventure. That said,, I AM the Princess of Justification, so if I really wanted to, I could easily justify the trip to WEBS once a month.

"I'm already the whole way to Hartford, it's only another 45 minutes."

"It's such a nice day, and the drive is so pretty"

"I really want the great beer can chicken from Fitzwilly's, and Northampton is the only place I can get it."

You see what I mean?

The trip was not wasted! I picked up my Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in "Blush" for my "Unmentionables" - the pettipant pattern from the summer knitty.

It really is the perfect shade of vintage pink for a pair of vintage panties!

and then there was sock yarn...

I have been lusting after this Great Adirondack Silky Sock for a year. The colorway is "Wild Birch". There are so many saturated, gorgeous colors of this yarn, and I became totally fixated on this color. it is pretty though!

I'm also not one to always buy the same thing, so I had to try another sock yarn I've never tried before, so I picked up:

Online Supersocke in color 100. Red purple and black, my three favorite colors!

My Last WEBS find was the White Lies Designs pattern, "Colette Cardigan".

I have looked at this pattern on line over and over. Hem haw. When I saw it in person, and could thumb through it to see the instructions, I knew I had to buy it. It is by the same person who wrote the pattern I am currently knitting - the Shaped Lace Tee - and I find her patterns to be very intuitive. Really, her designs are the kind of things I would design f I was better at it.

now to post jack my own post/ While at WEBS, I helped a customer or two. I can't help it. I was born to teach/ be in customer service. One of the employees noticed that I kept helping people. She said I should work for them. DH said that I should have said, "If you are willing to pay me more than 48K a year, I'm yours" What yarn store is paying that much a year? (If you are, WEBS, feel free to call me. I'll be happy to entertain the idea)/ end post jack.

Off I went to eat the aforementioned chicken at Fitzwilly's.

On the way back to the car, I saw that Northampton Wools was still open. I have never actually gone in the store. It is always closed when I manage to pry myself away from WEBS, or too full of people. (I'm a bit claustrophobic) I looked around a bit. After being in WEBS, any yarn store feels kinda small, but Northampton Wools is actually really small. They did have a lot f nice stuff though, and I picked up yet another skein of yet untried sock yarn!

Collinette Jitterbug in Velvet Roses came home to live with me.

now it was 5:00. I was not about to drive through Springfield and Hartford between 5:00 and 6:00, so i stopped at Barnes and Noble. Can I leave a book store with out buying a book? Hell no!

Folk Socks jumped in my arms, and came home to live with all the new yarn. Interestingly, I didn't go up and join the knitting group working away on the second floor. I saw them, I nodded, but I didn't stop to work. I sat in the cafe and knitted on my sweater. weird. Normally I would just plop down and start knitting with others.

After all that yarn shopping, and book looking, I was exhausted. I did still manage to knit a bit more on my sweater, and am almost to the front waist shaping. Tomorrow I have a long train ride, so I should get another big chunk finished. Like I said a few posts ago, I need to pick up knitting speed if I am ever going to knit all of this increasingly large stash. I wonder if I can not buy anymore yarn until I go on vacation/ It's only two weeks. Surely I can do it!

oh, and don't call me Shirley.

Clue 2 bites the proverbial dust

Not a very good blocking picture, but ok to get the basic idea. I had a good time knitting this chart. It felt really fast to me. I finished before bed on Saturday night, and had a question. I couldn't figure out why it was taking me 4 nights last year per clue, and only two this year. *smacks head* We were knitting from the center out last year. I was doing each chart twice. No wonder this year's appears to grow slower!

I finished my Sockapalooza Socks on Friday morning! Pictures to come tomorrow. I need to block them today....

Well, I can't have one less project going, so I cast on for my Lace Tee from Knitting Lingerie Style on Friday. I have to say, I love this yarn so far. It is super soft, and the drape is to dye for. I think I am going to be knitting with Cascade Pima Tencel again!
The sweater is going quickly, and was a lovely beach companion on Saturday. I love knitting at the beach. The back of my sweater smells like the beach air. mmmmm.
The back:

The hem detail:

Last night I finished the back. I stayed up a tad bit later than I should have, but it was worth it!
Well, I must go. I have to drive my sewing machines to Springfield to the sewing machine doctor. Hey! Springfield is only a few short miles form Northampton, home of WEBS. I might just *have* to stop in!

July clues

Socktopia strikes again! I did not finish a pair in June. shame on me!! So this month I have my Sockapalooza socks to finish up - I'm passed the halfway mark on #2 currently; a pair of socks for Socktopia, and my MS3 to work on. I might need another project.

Ha! I heard you laugh. With the speed I've been knitting with, understand your reaction, "You won't even get that much done!" Like hell I Won't! I'm ramping up speed and my life is quiet-ish. I plan to knit copious amounts of yarn in the next month!

With out further delay, these are the Socktopia themes for July:

Purple Mountains Majesty
Amber Waves of Grain
Order of the Phoenix
Ruby Tuesday
Summer Lovin’

I have to say, Summer Lovin' or Purple Mountain's Majesty are in the lead right now. I do have a majestic mountain of purple sock yarn.....

I had originally planned a pair of red white and blue striped socks for my youngest brother. He is very patriotic, goes to a school that has red/white/blue as it's colors, and loves patterned socks. Perfect match, no? Well, now I am leaning away from them. He is getting more and more conservative instead of more and more liberal - as most people get when they go off to college. I'm afraid he might actually *hate* them. I might just call him up and ask. They wouldn't be a surprise, but at least I'd know if he'd wear them or not.

As a side note, he also has giant feet. Well, giant for my family. I don't know if I am ready for another giant pair of socks just yet.

So, aside from finishing up the Sockapalooza socks (maybe tonight!), casting on for the June "yet to be decided on"Socktopia Socks, and working on the MysteryStole3, I think this is my fourth project:

It is the "Shaped Lace Tee" also known as "Krista", from Joan McGowen-Michael's book "Knitting Lingerie Style". I think the red Cascade Pima Tencel will be perfect! I hope to swatch it this weekend.

Why am I bumping this ahead of the rest of the "want to knit" list? Good question. I suppose it's because the yarn is new and I could wear it this summer if I got working on it. Most of the rest of my list is wintry things. Maybe that's not true, but I like my little lie. So there.

Days off

Summer is so weird. I have so many vacation days to take in the summer - not that I'm complaining about how many vacation days i have - I'm hardly at work. Since DH and I do not have Internet at home, I really on my lunch and breaks to post on my blog. Since I haven't been at work too often, I haven't been posting too often. It's sad really.

I had a great time with my parents this weekend, although I was ready to see them go on Sunday. My mom especially, gets a "great idea" about decorating, then she finally leaves and you have none of the furniture you started the weekend with. ok. I'm exaggerating. In reality, I asked to borrow her carpet steamer to clean my living room furniture. When she left, I had cleaned furniture, slip covers, new pillows and blankets for the couch, a new rug in the living room, matching covered dining room chairs, new rugs in the bathroom, new sheets, replaced knobs on the hall closet, and replaced screen in the sliding glass door. It's good it was only 3 days. If she was here a week I'd have an addition on my condo.

Because of the "renovations", I didn't get to start on my Mystery Stole until Saturday Night! I cannot tell you how hard it was to wait. I finally cast on at around midnight, and promptly did the first chart. I forced myself to go to bed. Sunday yielded little progress, although there was some - it was filled with recovering my dining room chairs and replacing my screen door screen. Yesterday I finished clue #1! OMG I LOVE I SO FAR!!!

It isn't pinned out very well. Push pins do not stay in the couch cushions at all.

This is the border

The center motif is taking shape too.

You can hardly see my beads, as they match really well. It's ok though, I like them IRL. I am using a slightly larger beads than the designer, Melanie, calls for in the pattern. I was a tad concerned about it going in, but I actually like the size of them now. You'd never even know they were a a bit bigger unless you held them up to the smaller ones. Over all, a very good clue #1.

Since I had a day off, with no parents, and no moving to do (!) I decided to go shopping yesterday. "for what?", you may ask. "Why yarn of course!" Don't be silly.

At Dagmar's I picked up some sock yarn.

I have an itch to do some more color stranding, and thought the Kroy would work well. The bright blue was too much to resist.

Then I went off to Saybrook Yarn, and bought some of their clearance bags!

Two full bags of Cascade Pima Tencel. One in red and the other in purple. I think I have a plan for the red......