Someone needs a Pedicure...

...and it would be me.
Wow. That is some ugly toe action going on.

This is sock #1 of my Pedicure socks. I decided to add the contrast band around the toes, just for fun. The mani mitts will be in the green color, with a band of the purple.

This is a super fast project. I frogged the whole thing last night and started over. I orgianlly cast on 44 stitches, but it was a tad to big, and I had a split stitch staring at me in the ribbing, and I had a little hole in the heel. All together to many issues to live with. I suppose that is what happens when you knit in the dark with yarn larger than your normal "knit in the dark knitting". SO I started over. It's ok. I frogged at 8:15 pm, co 36 stitchess, knit for about 30min., drove to work, knit for another 30min., drove home, and knit for another 2 hrs, and TADA! One finished pedi sock.

I would guess that if I knit solid on this gift, I could complete all 4 pieces in one day. This may be my christmas gift for the staff next year..... Shhh! Don't tell them!

Socktoberfest Pair #3!!!!

Pair #3 is finished, and ready to wear. Who Hoo! I'm calling them the Ocean City Jaywalkers, after the location I bought the yarn.
Someone is going to ask the color # of this yarn. I don't know. I thought I had put it in a previous post, but I didn't. And I took the ball band out of my bag, so tough luck.
As you can see, I didn't even try to match the stripes. I don't think it's possible, and I like them this way.


I like this shot. It makes me feel artsy.

So I am on to pair #4 of Socktoberfest fun. I've been inspired by Knitty.com to make a pair of Pedicure Socks for my Mom. The ones on the web site are very cute, but not really her. She's not a stripey kind of girl. I am making them with a ribbed cuff, shortrow heel, and princess foot - afterall my Mom is Princess Theodora. She'll get a kick out of the "Princess foot".

All please feel free to oooh amd ahhh over the inside of my Pedi Sock, with it's transistion to the Princess foot.
I am also making companion Manicure Mitts. A little Mani/Pedi set as a side gift = happy mom. I should be finished with the Pedi socks by the end of Socktoberfest, but I'm not sure about the Mnai mitts - maybe. It depends on how much I get to knit this weekend. I want to try to go to MA to the spinning fiber festival thingy, and I'd like to go to the Farmhouse Yarns Sale. I'll be really busy I think.... buying yarn..... (evil grin)

Socktberfest, how do I love thee?

I love thee because thou art inspiring;
I love thee because thou art useful;
and I love thee beacuse thou art pretty.

Visions of Socks dance in my head as socktoberfest starts to wind to a close. I'm excited to move onto Lacevember, as I have three more lace scarves to finish for Christmas, but frankly, I am not ready for October to be over. I love this month. It is the last bit of warm, the last bit of green, and the last bit of dry feet for a long, long time. I love the pretty fall colors, but it somehow harkens the sad greys of Winter. I look forward to the bright spring greens a lot more. I'm not ready for the yicky slush yet.

In that spirit, I have one more Socktoberfest pair of Socks left to do. I am finishing the toe on my second Jaywalker right now, (so pics tomorrow!) and am ready to make my Mom a pair of Pedicure Socks - a pattern from the Knitty.com archives. My Mom is a Mani and Pedi princess, so I am making matching Pedicure Socks, and Manicure mitts. In purple, of course, as it is her royal highnesses favorite color.

The yarn is (deep breath) Red Heart Soft Yarn. I can hardly even type it. I decided to use acrylic because I don't want her to worry about washing them, and this yarn is pretty nice. Well, for acrylic. The plus side, this project will go fast - it is worsted weight. I will only have to briefly play with the Red Heart.

let's move on to other things...
I had a S.E.X. trip yesterday. I went to fabric place (WHY MUST YOU CLOSE!) and got some nice 40% off yarn. 3 skeins of100% black angora for ME - I'm making a neck cozy thingy (drool); 2 skeins of sport weight wool, filitura dicrosa zara in a gorgeous bright turqoise - I think this will be gloves for my Grandma; and lastly a needle case - for which I payed$3. $3! It had no tag, so the cashier just made up a price. I wasn't going to argue....

THEN I went to Sit n' Knit, in West Hartford. I love Sit n' Knit. It is really hard not to go crazy in there. Yes, I bought more Misti Alpaca Lace Weight. But it's a color I don't have! Pretty coffee colored yarn. Do I know what it will be? .....no. Of couse not. But I have enough for a triangle shawl.

THEN I went to Borders. I used my Personal shopping day. I got a Chai and the Interweave Knits Christmas Gift special issue. Pretty cool issue, I must say. DH got a magazine and a CD. Oh yea. He was along with me.

THEN we went to Red Lobster. Let me explain. I love Red Lobster. I LOVE Crab legs. In my sad poor person world, Red Lobster was THE fancy place to eat. Where I live now, great individually owed restraunts are everywhere. 4 and 5 star places. We still go to red Lobster. I will be rich and famous some day, and still go to the RL. That is just the way it is.

On another RL note, I read a quote on "Overheard in New York". "My man's got to give me roses, and bling, and take me fancy places like Red Lobster."

sweet. It is all I ask for in life.

Today, I went to an antique store. That is not unusual. I love them in an unnatural way. But I got quite a haul. I got a bowler hat for $7, a 1960's cashmere coat with fur collar and cuffs for $95, and for One measly dollar, I got this:

It has 60 (!) patterns in it! Perfect comdition, no missing or creased pages! Aw yea! Socktoberfest is working for me!

Finally, here is a Picture of the show I opened on Friday:

A staged reading of "Franklin in Love", a new play by an up and coming playwright. I wish I had gotten better pictures, but I had to sit in the balcony. Overall, a very rewarding experience, for which I recieved much praise. Can't beat that!

Cheers!

Heading into another busy weekend

Well, the time has arrived. My show that I have been working on is opening tomorrow, and the show I am managing goes into tech tomorrow. I'm set to be a busy girl. I'm trying really hard to make sure I have everything planned out, and all of the problems thought of before they happen. It never works that way, but you can't blame a girl for trying.

Starting tomorrow evning, I'll be BORED though. Tech is always so dull. At least I have plenty of time to knit, even if it is in the dark. I'll be working on my Jaywalker socks. I am nearing the end of the gusset decreases, ready to start the foot. I am going to SnB tonight, so I'll probably be pretty far into the foot by tomorrow night. I might even have this pair of Socks done by next wednesday. Or Monday, for that matter. After doing complicated lacey socks, or the constant counting of RPMs, these Jaywalkers fly off the needles.

and...just because Trekking is SOOOO pretty, here are a few pics.

the color transitions! The softness! The wonderfullness!
Ahhhhhhh.

Stop me before I join something else!

DH started a kntting movement. Lacevember has taken off, ven to the point of having a blog.

Of course I joined. Don't be silly.

Clicky on the "Lacevember!" on the side bar to check out the blog. It isn't much yet, but I'm sure the hosts will have it looking spectacular soon! I got a few pm's expressing their toughts on why I should host. Well, thanks everybody, but no way. I barely know how to make this blog work, let alone host anoter one. Let us let that up to the technically aware.

I also updated my sidebar to include a "socktober" link. TADA! (Like I said, I can barely keep this sad blog going...) It only took me until nearly the entire event was over.

I am on the heel of sock #1 of Socktoberfest Pair #3, the trekking Jaywalkers. Woo! I hope to finish a good amount tonight while at my friend's place. We are watching the Project Runway Finale. I don't have cable, and I am really missing out with this show. EVERYBODY in my field watches this show. I had to catch up. Ahh marathon tv watching. Iam now totally up to date, and super excited to find out who comes out on top, and what becomes of the sewing scandal.

I sent the RPM's off to their recipient, "Princess Evangaline". Hopefully she will love her "custom royal foot coverings". I suspect she will. (grin)

That is it for now. I have a fitting coming in, and a fur hat to make. The fun never ends!

New Sock needles

Ya'll might remember that I knitted a pair of socks in exchange for a pair of needles...
http://costumechick.blogspot.com/2006/08/half-of-mystery-sock-pair-2.html

Well, the needles came yersterday. I, of course took pictures immediately!



They are absolutely gorgeous size 1's, in SOLID brass. OMG! The pictures look "silvery" but in real life, they are a beautiful brassy brass. The one needle is stamped with the size, and the artist "signed" her work. The middle bit on each needle is swirly and twisty, like a churning sea. Frankly, these are a work of art. You almost feel like a musicain whe you pick these needles up. The artistry wants to flow out of your hands and into the yarn. Sort of like a great violin player... she can play beautifully on an violin, but give her a Stratavarious, and the world stops to listen. My DH even thought they were really awsome.
I started knitting with them right away. The socks I just started were on us 1's! I switched over. The swirly bits help keep the stitches in the middle of the needles, yet the yarn slides over them when you want it to, and the points are nice. Now, they are not the usual razors I like to work with, but I'm, doing double descreases with them on my Jaywalkers just fine. The points are similar to addis, imo. As a matter of fact, think I will go back to that now...

IF you are interested in some fancy needles of your own, or would like to buy me another pair, (grin), you can find then at:
celticswan.com

It's not Lacetember

This weekend, I spent some quality Socktoberfest time, both knitting as well as shopping. DH and I went to Saybrook yarns, one of my favorite yarn stores, and I of course, couldn't decide what to buy. I had some yarn for a gift, but I also had two skeins of sock yarn and one big hank of lace weight. I can't resist either kind of yarn, so I asked him which I should buy. He said, "Well, It IS Socktober, not Lacetember." I bought the sock yarn.
It's Lang Jawoll, in a pretty dark brown color. AS you can see, I also broke down and bought Sensational Knitted Socks. I had a Borders coupon burning a hole in my pocket. I cannot wait to try some patterns!

Also in Honor of Socktoberfest, I submit my RPM's!

They aren't even dry yet. I had to post the picture, though.

Pattern: RPM from Knitty.com
Needles: size 1 KnitPicks circulars
Yarn: Regia 4 fadig Jaquard , color 5270; 2 balls
For: Vangie's Birthday.

I took a sock hiatis... shameful, I know, and worked on my Glascow Lace sweater. I progressed quite a bit, but it is in the dull stage, so no photos.

Then I felt guilty, and started Socktoberfest socks, pair 3. They are the ever famous Jaywalkers, from magknits.com. I am using Trekking XXL, for the first time, I must add, and I love it! SO pretty! Unfourtunately, i think they might be too big for me. All of the online chatter points to these socks being **tight**. I decided to make the larger size. They seam huge. We'll see. It might change when I get to the heel. This is the progress, thus far.


I love Socktober, but I can't wait for Lacetember!

Some Friday Yarn Porn

I recently have aquired some new yarn. surprise. (haha)
Just becuase I can, and my projects are still in the state of boring, I give to you, some new stash excitement!


3 skeins of Knitpicks gossamer in "blue Jeans". Much "blue-er than the picture suggests. I want to knit a candleflame stole from this.


4 skeins of Knitpicks shadow in "jewels". Tis is destined to be a circular shawl from "A Gathering of Lace". I'm not sure which one, but I am leaning towards shetland...


My newest find... Cervina Londra - 30skeins for $30! It is so soft! I think this will be a sweater for DH. (It is heavy worsted weight).


Lastly, in honor of Socktoberfest, I have a new Ball of Trekking! It is a blue and grey. This will probably end up as a pair of socks for a guy - a brother maybe? Or DH?

Wow. That's a lot of blue! I seem to be exiting my purple phase and entering a blue/grey phase. Interesting....

Socktoberfest Questions

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I started knitting socks last November - almost a year ago! I taught myself using a magazine and the knittinghelp.com video. Frankly, I learned to knit socks to "show up" a person at work. He is always making such a big deal about his fun fur scarves, I had to shut him down. How better than to make - what I thought was - the "most complicated knitted object ever"!

ps... it worked. Shut him up but good.


What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

My first pair was a woolease sport weight ribbed cuff, top down, reinforced heel, rounded toe sock. I ave them to my Dad for Christmas. I don't know how they hae held up. My Mom says he never wants to wear them, as I made them, and he doesn't wantto ruin them. aww.

What would you have done differently?

Made them from fingering yarn. I think they are too heavy.


What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

hmm. KPM - drool. I used it for a pair of socks for my mom. CTH - so soft, so pretty. I could be biased, as I just had my newest pair on my feet hot off the blockers. i enjoy petting my Schaefer Anne everytime I open the basket, and I am sure I will enjoy kntting it. Actually, there is only one sock yarn I have HATED thus far - Silja. Blech.


Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

I like DPN and ML. DOn't like 2 circs. Too many ends. I use ML the most, but not always.



Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I like both! The short row fits my foot best, but flaps just look so cool.


How many pairs have you made?

um... 18? I think?
1. Dad's - woolease
2. dh's - regia
3. my regia
4. sara's - sockotta
5.carol's - sockotta
6. rebecca's - sockotta
7. denise's - sockotta
8. joy's - sockotta
9. leah's - sockotta
10. DH's SU socks - local handpaints
11. my Child's First Socks - KP essential
12. Mom's CFS - KPM
13. my Multiringel's
14. my Mystery Socks - Viv's Lacey Socks in Wildfoote
15. Nate's Birthday socks - sockotta
16. Mystery Socks #2 - smocked socks - Gedifra Fashion Trend
17. Socktoberfest -CTH Elfine socks
18. My Ripple socks in Fable - I forgot these earlier. They should be around #5
*19. Socktoberfest RPM's in regia - in progress
I feel as though I am forgetting a few pairs.

When I finish the pair OTN, I will have 18 pairs this year, and counting. maybe my goal should be 24? 2 a month? Maybe. I'd have to do two pairs of anklets to make that happen I think. we'll see.

two days in a row

All bow down to me! I am posting two days in a row!

Last night I work two repeats on my Glascow Lace sweater, and it is making up nicely.

The intention was to knit a little bit on the sweater, then to work on the RPM socks. yeah. I fell asleep. So, no progress past where I was yesterday.

I am one repeat into the leg on the second sock, but I thought I'd show off the pics of the first sock. I like the way the stripes are obscured by the spiraling purls. QUite cool.

Well, off to actually work at work!

Socktoberfest is here!

Amid all of the crazy things going on in my life, I actually managed to complete my first pair of Socktoberfest Socks!

The details:
Pattern: Elfine socks
Yarn: CTH supersock in Tropical Storm colorway
Needles: knitpicks size 0 circulars
Changes: I knit a ribbed cuff instead of the very delicate and, frankly, perfect garter cuff called for. The socks were just a **we** bit big for my leg, so a ribbed cuff made them stay in place better.

I started these so long ago, it's almost embarrassing.

My next Socktoberfest adventure is "RPM's" from Knitty.com. These are in honor of CBGB's. RIP. The list of bands that played there is like reading my list of vinyl. so sad. I am knitting them on size 1 needles, and with regia self "fair isle"ing yarn. SO far so good! One socky is finished... pics to come.

Lastly, I have a sweater OTN. Glascow Lace from the Fall '06 Interweave knits. I am kntting it out of a very grey purple alpaca yarn. For those of you who know this pattern, or have the inclination to look it up in the magazine, it looks quite awful on the model. It is either too short or too long. Either way, it hits her at a very bad spot. But, the length on me will be perfect, as I am short waisted. I started this last night at, like 11:30. SO I am only just past the edging, which I must add is very pretty. A bitch to knit, but pretty.

That is all for now. Everyone hug your socks!

The Bat Scarf

Pictures of the next Christmas gift! Stand in amazement everyone!

Presenting the world's crappiest pictures of "The Bat Scarf"

It is knit in Classic Silk - black, on size 6 needles. I used Barbara Walker's CHart from her third book of patterns.

Basically, I CO 39 stiches, k 5 rows. Keep 3 stitches in Garter as edges.
Follow chart for bat.
Knit "spacer lace" 7 times. (row 1: K6, (ssk, yo, k1, yo, K2tog, k3) 3 times, k3. row 2: purl)
Follow CHart for Bat
Knit spacer lace 15 times
Follow Chart for Bat
Knit spacer lace forever - about 50 times
knit 10 rows in stockingette
knit spacer lace 25 times
knit 7 rows of stockingette - end with a knit row - do not BO, break yarn

CO 39 stitches, k 5 rows
keeping selvedges, follow chart for bat
knit 7 reps of spacer lace
knit 10 rows of stockingette
knit 15 rows of spacer lace
knit 1 row - do not BO!! Kitcher the two sides together.

Tada!

I'm a joiner

Ha! That's funny. Ok maybe not to those whodon't know what a "joiner" is. Go look up the traditional occupation of a "joiner" if you don't know. I suppose it's not funny if ou don't know me well either. oh well.

I am a blog joiner though! I'm now officially a member of Socktoberfest. I wasn't going to join, but then thought - "What the hell." I'll do it. I'm not going to get many done this month, but that is ok. My goal is to knit a few pattterns that have been calling to me - mostly lace ones. I'm almost finished with the Elfine's I started EON'S ago. I just have been super crazy with work. Too much to do! I am modifing the cuff from a garterstitch to a ribbed, but overall, I've knit pretty much what is written.

On the work front - I am doing my normal job, hectic enough, but I've also taken on a few design jobs - kewl - extra money. The bad thing is that they are all on top of each other. The one performs at the end of October, the next in the beginning of December, the last is the end of December. Not bad, but very little time for knitting!! I'm going through withdrawl!
I was goig to say that I should be able to crank through the cuff of the second Elfine tonight - but that is so not going to happen. I have to pattern and cut two 1770's French gowns tonight. err. Crap. That means that I will be building tommorrow night. Thursday is SnB - good built in knitting time. Unfortunately, I end up helping others and really don't get much knitting done. Friday is fittings in the evening. Saturday I'm headed into the city for shopping and maybe a fitting for my lead actor.
Maybe I need to get up an hour early to get my "fix". Like that'll happen.

On the plus side, I finished anoter christmas gift on SUnday night. It is blocking now, but I hope to take photos this afternoon. go me! Only 2 more to go!

for fun and profit

My standard answer to any question that begins, "Why do you do......" is "for fun and profit." Take for instance, my DH asked me why I'm so sexy. I answered "for fun and profit."
"Why do you always say 'for fun and profit'?"
"for fun and profit."

As you can imagine, this stock answer can often times be construed as "dirty". I don't care - as I am often dirty. (wink) However, I have to get better at filtering when I should say my catch phrase - maybe not at work. Like when the $$ guy askes why I need more Petty Cash, and I say "for fun and profit" - well you can imagine the looks and reaction. $$ guys do not have the sense of humor you'd expect.

But, "why do I knit Lace?"

"FOr fun and Profit."

Ok I don't really profit from it, although I suppose I could if I tried, or desired too. But is most definately fun!

I finished Kiri last night, and she is blocking as we ....read?

I knit this with 1.25 balls of Misti Alpaca laceweight, in a lovely Celedon colorway (oddly MA calls this "maize". I don't know, it's not yellow at all. It's green.) I used us 5 needles, and the stitch markers from my SP7. I only used markers on the edges and center stitch. (I'm too damn lazy to move makers every ten rows.) All in all, I did 12 body repeats, and the edging chart. The finished size is 66"across the top, and 33" long Center Back. I could probably get a few more width inches if I wanted too, but I like the look of the lace at this blocking tension.

I *will* take a picture after it is unpinned - I promise. I'm so notorious for not taking the arty "look at my handwork" pictures. Sue me.

Also just taking a bath is my Brothers "new" hat. He thoght the one I made him last year was too "girly", as it was light blue and drk blue marl. Umm... more manly than blue? Well, yes. He thinks light blue is "girly". SO a new hat it is. This is the most basic of hats. No pattern really.
I knit it with two strands together, size 4 needles, k2P2, ribbing, blah blah.

Boring I know, but the yarn is divine! It is from Hopyarn Spinnery / farmhouse yarns, midnight blue Autumn Spun. It is silk/wool/cotton blend - probably sport weight. I love HopYard! I use so much of Carol's yarn, andshe is a local - to me- company, so even better! SOft, warm, and frankly, if b#2 doesn't like it, I'll give it to someone else. It is elegant and cozy all at once. My picture really doesn't do it justice. When it dries I will take a picture on my head.

My lone project OTN is my Elfine Socks. I promised pics yesterday, so here they are. I find it hard to take pictures of my feet. Obviously.

That is all for now. Tonight I drink like it's my job. Tomorrow I doubt I will have had any rpogress on my socks. If I do, I will be, most likely, frogging back. I have learned that drunk lace knitting is not good.

what I have been doing....

It has been 11 days since my last confession, er... I mean post. I have been off the charts busy! I am nearly finished with my Kiri. I am not going to [post any more pictres f the green blob until I am blocking the thing. seriously. it looks likea blob. Kiri has been slow going, as of late. I have been in Tech rehearsals, and frankly, lace in the dark is hard. Instead I made this scarf - for a Christmas present.

The specs:
Pattern of my own "design". It is a slanted rib pattern, that initially was supposed to just slant in one direction. I got bored and decided to slant the other direction - by doing an extra purl row. Esy peasy. Then I decided counting my rows was too much work, and I should just change directions when the mood struck. I did that for a little, then I decided to change directions when the Stage Manager called for break. It is the funkiest randomest way to knit. But it was super fun, and I have several people willing to take it off my hands.

The yarn is from handpaintedyarn.com, and is called Novelty butone wool, in colorway fiesta. http://handpaintedyarn.com/product_info.php?cPath=56&products_id=544

I knit it on #8 Susan Bates quicksilvers.
Over all a just interesting enough project to do in the dark with out going bored.

I also knit a dark blue watch cap for my brother. I need to wash it..then you get a picture. Eventually...

Now on the needles, and with a picture tomorrow, is my pair of "Elfine's socks". I am using Cherry Tree Hill Sock yarn in "Tropical storm" colorway. They are looking pretty cool!

Other than work, I also went to NYC this weekend. On Saturday I spent the day with my Mom and my two ...Aunts? My Dad's cousin's wives. easier just to say Aunts. Anywho, we spent the day buying bags in Chinatown. Love Chinatown! I got three bags (from my mom) and free lunch( from Tina), and free dinner (from Marion)! I spent my train fare, and that was it! They wouldn't let my buy anything for myself...not that I'm complaining.

On SUnday I went to the NYC Knit Out! It rocked! I met tons of Knitty Heads including my SP! Hi Weaselrina! Three of us are working on Kiri right now! How cool is that?! I'm so lame. I got so exscited by the knitting and the people, I only took 2 pictures. These are of the Knitty Heads meeting up outside b &n's.


I would tell you all of the names, but I'll get some wrong, and I don't want to do that. SO I won't even try. I am so bad with names.
I also hooked up with my friend Nate after the kintting festivites and we chowed down on Chinese Food and Wine. He just moved to NYC - actually Jamaica in Queens, and was feeling a bit lonely. It was so good to see him! everybody send good vibes to my friend Nate that he will continue to love his new adventure in life!

Tommorow - more pictures of FO'S!

what's on my lap this week?

I have had so much to do at work this week, I am kind on going insane. My one person was out - she was honeymooning, so we have split her usual duties between myself and my assistant. It is all going fine, we just have been really busy. Hopefully all will be good going into dress tomorrow....

I did have time to block my Sock's for my Mom's birthday, and my 2nd Mystery Socks. I got two piar of nifty vintage blockers off of e-bay. Blocked Socks make me happy.

My 2nd Mystery Socks, also known as "the socks I am trading for hand forged needles for Celtic Swan Forge", or as "smocked socks". Three people tried to claim these while I was working on them. I guess they are a hit.




ok- the smocking is really hard to photograph. Trust me, it is cool.

My Mom's socks have been finished for quite a while. I just now blocked them, so here they are all pretty and ready to gift. They are my second pair of "Child's first Socks" from Knitting Vintage Socks. It is hard not to keep these for me - as they are KPPM.


Lastly, what's on my lap this week?
Kiri in Misti Alpaca, that's what! SO pretty. This shawl is also a Christmas gift - for my"third mom" Vangi. It is a really quick and uncomplicated knit. I like that. Good knitting after work project.


I didn't intentionally pick a color that looked like the color of the yarn in the pattern sample. Actually, I printed Kiri out a long time ago, and just recently pulled it out. I bought the yarn because I knew that Vangie would love it, and I picked Kiri beacuse I had the right amount of yarn. Then, I went back and looked at the pattern on line again - and the exact same color. Serendipity, I suppose.

Hopefuly things will calm down next week, and I will have the pieces of my Elvis Wig sewn together. That should be a treat to see.

I WON!!!! and I finished TWO christmas presents!!!

I won the Great Canadian Pie Off!! WHoHoo!

I suppose I should explain. Every year, my place of Employment has a season kick off party around this time of year. The highlight of the event - other than the drinking (smile), is the Pie COntest. It is called the "Great Canadian Pie Off" because our former Managing Director was Canadian and loved pie. The award for first place is braging rights for the year, a small trophy and a big cooking item of some sort. I got third two years ago ( a candle and a pie server), honorable mention last year ( I would have had first, except I DROPPED my PIE! at least according to the judges), and I nailed it this year!!

I made my own recipe:
Apple Raspberry Pie

Crust - make your own, enough for two crusts

Mix together: 1 1/3 cups sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 5 cups of peeled sliced tart apples, 2 cups red raspberries.

Place filling in unbaked crust. Squirt in about 1 Tbl of Lemon Juice. Dust top of filling with more flour. Dot with 2Tbls of Butter.

Cover with second crust, cut slits to vent steam. Wet top and sprinkle with sugar. Cover edges with foil. Bake at 425 f for 50min. Remove foil when 15min left to bake.

On judge hates raspberries and couldn't stop eating. Just saying.

Here are my awards:

7 piece baking set. Kick ass!

The coveted Golden server - just for display, not for use. DH hung it above my kitchen door.

So now I get to brag all year, and judge the pie contest next year. sweet.

I also found time to knit, even while staring at my "major award" and giving interviews. (ha)

I got two Christmas Presents finished!

The First is Dayflower Lace Scarf, knit in Classic Elite, Montera ( I think) This was stash yarn that I wound a long time ago. It is so pretty and soft. I know it has mostly alpaca in it.

Shiny.


I have no idea what size needles I used. I actually finished knitting this in April (?) I just NOW blocked it. But that counts as finishing!!

Second is Leisel, knit in SWTC soysilk. Another stash yarn. The color # is blacked out, along with the yarn name. It looks like Oasis to me. This was knit with size 5 inox needles.
When I put it in to soak, the water turned PURPLE. I couldn't even see the scarf through the dye. I hope it is finished leaking dye...


Both of these scarves were fun to knit, but neither had true "rest rows". Dayflower has two rows that require you to "think" on the purl back row, and Leisel has knitting and purling combinations on the returns. Neither are hard, they just require more attention. The end results are worth it.

Tonight's SnB. I hope to get a few repeats into the second leg of the socks I've been working on. I won't get much knitting done this weekend. I have TWO weddings to attend. Both are all day style functions. The second goes from Sunday into Monday. I think I will need monday to recover from the sheer amount of liquer I will consume...