Thursday, August 31, 2006

Fun, Fun, Fun...


I spent last weekend at a friends cabin on the lake. Most of my time was spent with their baby boy, and their two terriers. I had a great time. I even rode an ATV. What was I thinking?
Here are the dogs playing on/off the dock. Too Cute!


Also while I was there I cast on, frogged, cast on, frogged, cast on and frogged the Feather and Fan socks. I'm not sure what my problem was, but I couldn't seem to get the pattern right. I finally got a couple of repeats done, but I'm not sure I like it. I don't know if it's the yarns colors, (Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Black Purl) or the pattern that's not working for me. It may just be a combination of the two. Or it may just be me. Who knows!


After a while I gave up and just put it down and started the Jaywalkers that I keep hearing about from Magknits. OH MY GOD!!! I love this pattern. I can see why so many in the knitting blog community are making them. As you would expect mine are purple,of course, (Koigu KPPPM #228 to be exact) I do love purple! And I'm loving it as a Jaywalker. I've already made a couple of mistakes, but it's not hurting the pattern, and I don't want to frog what I have so far, so I'm pressing on as is.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

The First Socks Are Done!

I did it! Yeah! I finished my first ever pair of socks. Thanks to the help of the ladies at Knit Night last night I finished the last sock of the first pair of socks I have ever made. Not the best sock ever I'm sure. But I'm proud of it. What do you all think?



Shorty

Saturday, August 19, 2006

PLUGGING THE PODCASTS!


If you don't already know, I'll let you in on a not so secret. I love podcasts. It was through some knitting podcasts that I learned about the world of knitting blogs. I think I subscribe to every single knitting podcast out right now. Each one is great in it's own way. I wait as patiently as possible for each new episode. Right now my absolute favorites are: Cast On, Lime & Violet, Craft Borg, and It's A Purl Man. Just to name a few. Of course the podcast that started it all is by fellow "Sistah Friend", Cutie Knittah Fairy, who is not currently podcasting. But hopefully she will be returning some time soon. (I hope, I hope, I hope!) lol.

If you don't already, I'd suggest you check one or all of them out. I found the techniques, yarn store and web sites suggestions, pattern critiques, etc., all to be extremely helpful. I've also made a few friends from around the world.

S.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

What was I waiting for?


Last week I broke down and bought a table top swift. I rolled my first ball using it by hand and I hated it. So today I went to my LYS and bought a ball winder. What in the world had I been waiting for? I spent a few hours winding some of the skiens from my stash. Boy oh boy did I have a ball (pun intended)!

Only problem now is I want to wind everything. I had so much fun! I'll probably end up spending most of the weekend winding all the skiens in my stash. I wouldn't be surprised if I go out and buy more yarn just to have more skiens to wind. I'm hooked, and I don't want to stop myself.

It's also amazing me how different the colors of a skien look once they're wound into a ball. I actually found a couple that I don't like the colors together anymore. But I suppose I need to actually knit with them to see what I really think. The colors will probably look altogether different in a swatch. We shall see.

S.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Is It Just Me?


The "Knit Out" friday night at a LYS netted me the most velvety soft yarn. It's called "Touch Me" by Meunich Yarns. I'll tell you the name says it all. I couldn't help but touch it. When I sat down at the table the rich colors caught my attention almost immideately. But I resisted. My eyes were drawn to the basket holding it every few minutes. But I resisted. I sat through the whole "Knit Out" wanting just to see if it felt as rich as it looked. But I resisted. Unfortunately, I asked about it, the shop owner handed me a ball to feel, and the rest is history. My resistance melted away in an instant. As did any hope of maintaining my budget for the week. "Touch Me" is way to expensive for me, I know. But once I had my hands on it, I wanted to just lay down and roll around in it. And it didn't help that they had it in one of the most regal shades of purple, my favorite color, that I have ever seen. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to make out of it. Whatever it is, it's got to be something close to the skin so I can enjoy the velvety feeling as often as possible.

"Hello. My name is Shorty and I am a yarn addict!"

Sunday, August 13, 2006

BEEN GONE, BUT I HOPE NOT FORGOTTEN!


I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to get a few personal things straightened out. So far so good. I've also, started my very first pair of socks ever.

I am using the Magic Loop method I kept hearing about all over the internet, and on my favorite podcasts. Not sure now why I was so afraid of socks. I can see why everyone loves to make them. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and I'm loving the results.
Since I haven't posted in a while I'm actually able to show a picture of the first finished sock.

I started with a really basic pattern. I made several mistakes, but I think I can do better on the next one. And I can't wait to try something more complicated on the next pair.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

THANKS SECRET SISTAH FRIEND!


My SSF struck again today! It was another terrible day at work today. I was ready to come home, take a long hot bath. Nursing several glasses of wine. And crash really early. But when I pulled in my driveway I noticed a package on my porch. I thought maybe the books I ordered from Amazon came in. Or the Koigu my sister was sending me had finally arrived. But to my most pleasent surprise my SSF had sent me the most beautiful yarns. I love them all. Instead of drinking wine and crashing early, I'll be spending most of the evening going through my books and mags to find appropriate patterns for my beautiful presents.

Thanks so much Secret Sistah Friend.

S.