Raffle!!

Here is the list of yarns to be raffled.  For those of you on Ravelry, most (but not all) of these are listed in my Stash under the Sell/Trade tab. 

There will be a couple different lots.  One “big lot” and one “sock lot”.  There will be at least one other lot, but I’m still working on what all will go into it.  I will split these up later, but wanted to give everyone an idea of what is going to be up for grabs.  

Current count is 190 skeins! 

 

2 x Adriafil Carezza, color 01 black
2 x Alpaca with a Twist Big Baby, color 2014 (light purple)
1 x The Alpaca Yarn Co. Paca-Peds, Green Gator
1+ x Artful Yarns Jazz, color54 (blues, discontinued)
4 x Bernat Cotton Tots, Grape Berry
4+ x Bernat Cotton Tots, Wonder White
1 x Bernat Softy Chunky (hot pink)
2 x Berocco Comfort color 9727 Spanish Brown
2 x Berocco Comfort color 9781 Olive
2 x Berocco Comfort color 9734 Licorice
2 x Berocco Comfort color 9741 Bitter Sweet
2 x Berocco Comfort color 9721 Sprig
4 x Berocco Touche, Peeps
3+ x Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton, color 83 Sage
2 x Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton, color 82 Nut
2 x Bristol Yarn Gallery King George, color 302 (brown)
1 x Caron Bliss, Jade
9 x Cascade Pima Tencel, color 7013 Teal
1 x Cherry Tree Hill Orenburg Lace, 44g, Plum Pie
1 x Cherry Tree Hill Possum Laceweight, Misty Moor
1 x Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome Potluck (bright blue & orange)
2 x Classic Elite Beatrice, color 3285 Autumn Hillside
4 x Classic Elite Desert. color 2077 (blues/greys)
1 x Classic Elite Provence, color 2653 (pink)
1 x Classic Elite Provence, color 2617 (purple)
1 x Classic Elite Provence, color 2646 (blue)
1 x Classic Elite Provence, color 2695 (melon)
1 x Classic Elite Provence, color 2681 (lime green)
2 x Classic Elite Provence, color 2633 (yellow)
9 x Cleckheaton Merino Supreme, color 2205 (dark grey)
3 x Cleckheaton Merino Supreme, color 2202 (light grey)
8 x Cleckheaton Merino Supreme, color 2200 (white/cream)
2 x Crystal Palace Panda Cotton, Kiwi-Mango
1 x Dream in Color Baby, Beach Fog
1 x Dream in Color Baby, Cloud Jungle
1 x Dream in Color Smooshy, Dusky Aurora
2+ x Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, color 32 (blue)
2 x FiberNatura Flax, color 09 Robin
1 x Fiber Natura Flax, color 12 Tarragon
1 x Handmaiden Fine Yarn Sea Silk, Smoke
1 x JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, Admiral
2 x K1C2 2nd Time Cotton, Nantucket
2 x K1C2 2nd Time Cotton, Valencia
2 x Knit Picks Essential, Turtle Multi
2 x Knit Picks Telemark, Deep Navy
1 x Lang Mille Colori, color 697.0088 (blues/greys)
10 x Lily Sugar & Cream, various colors
1 x Lion Jiffy, Dusty Pink
2 x Lion Woolease Thick & Quick, Wheat
8 x Madil Eden, color 002 (black)
4 x Manos Del uruguay, color 48 Cherry
1 x Noro Cash Island, color 12
3 x Noro Kochoran, color 10
3 x Noro Kochoran, color 53
1 x Pagewood Farms Alyeska, Crayon
1 x Patons Classic Wool, Natural Mix
1 x Patons SWS, Natural Denim
3 x Patons SWS, Natural Plum
10 x Pisgah Yarn Peaches & Creme, various colors
1 x Pisgah Yarn Peaches & Creme 1 lb cone
4 x Plymouth Royal Bamboo, color 80 (white/cream)
3 x Plymouth Royal Llama Silk, color 1002 (grey)
1 x Prism Sake, Sierra
1 x Rio De La Plata Multicolor Ply DK, lime green/ethereal blue/vibrant orange
1 x Shepherd Color 4 Me, color 4952 lime green
10 x Southwest Trading Co. Amerah, Oh Girl
2 x Southwest Trading Co. Phoenix, Purplexed
2 x Sublime Angora Merino, color 73 (black)
4 x Twinkle Handknits Cruise, color 39 Periwinkle
6 x Unger Skol, color 205 (green)
1 x The Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes, Dusk
2 x vintage wool, (blue/teal)
1 x Wollmeise Sock, Saami

 

New Toys

I’ve gone on a couple of trips (kinda) recently and picked up some pretty new things, got a couple as gifts, and located some things online that I’ve had an eye out for for a while.

First, I love shawl pins.  They are pretty and…  Well, they’re pretty.  Functional art.

This is a sterling silver number from Designs by Romi that I picked up in San Francisco (or somewhere near there, anyway – Aimee and I hit a bunch of yarn stores between SF and the wine country that day).

Green is my favorite color.  And so I like things associated with the color green.  Trees and plants and envy.  Okay, maybe not so much that last one, but when I saw this pin on the One Planet Yarn and Fiber site (and seeing as I had a coupon code), I had to have it.  It is pewter, with a wood stick from Perl Grey (who has several designs I love – currently working on Ana Bandana (see color in photo above) and have yarn – Dream in Color Classy in the new semi-solid Romeo Blue - for Imogen).  My only complaint with this pin is that the stick isn’t smooth, so it snagged the skein of yarn it was shipped with.  I’ll probably forego the stick it came with and put one of my ebony Lantern Moon Sox Stix to work (since I hate DPNs).

Oh, and don’t worry.  I have some of the DIC Classy in Shiny Moss, too.  I know you were worried when I said my favorite color is green and then showed you (incredibly beautiful) blue yarn.    I’m still debating a bit, but it will likely become a Central Park Hoodie.

I got this one from Lantern Moon on one of my trips to Los Angeles this summer, I think.  It is made from horn.  It’ll look great with Imogen, don’t you think?

Along with shawl pins, I also really, really like interesting bags.  I got this one (half off!) at the same store where I picked up the Romi pin.  A souvenir I’ll actually get some use out of, so it was excusable.  It is by Rebe.  I love the fabrics (all vintage, recycled, or organic), especially the inside, and I love the closure.  The size is perfect (one medium-to-large project or two small ones plus my travel notions pouch and a book).  I keep it packed with a couple small projects at any given time so that I can grab it on the way out the door if I have to go somewhere I’m going to have to wait a lot.  It has been to the hospital, doctor’s office, tag office, the-most-boring-class-in-history, and, of course, Stitch and Bitch.

For the Holidays, Pax went shopping at Twist, the best LYS in history.  Really.  I dropped off my kid and my debit card with Shelly, the best LYSO in history, and went next door to my acupuncturist’s shop to wait.  She came out a little while later with a couple paper bags, all stapled shut, and we went home.  On Christmas morning I opened them to find a really cool bag by a local artist, made from a recycled sweater (so it has been designated my sweater-in-progress bag).  It also came with a pretty stitch marker.  Pax also picked up a skein of Noro Kochoran and a pair of Kollage Square needles (in the right size for my current sweater project!).

Later that day at my mom’s, Pax gave me this vase/cup that she made (with the help of my sister).  I’ve been using it to display my shawl pins.  Isn’t it pretty?

Back to stitch markers, I’m a crocheter first.  I love crocheting.  I love knitting, too, but my confidence mostly lies in crochet.  It is my fall-back.  If I want to make a gift within a certain time-frame, it will very likely be crocheted.  However, this awesome craft is so terribly under-represented.  In the 5 years I’ve crocheted, if a pattern or project required a stitch marker, I almost always used a bit of scrap yarn – which I don’t like doing since they can get pulled out if one isn’t careful.  But the only stitch markers available at the Big Box craft stores were these plastic, split ring things that could lock together if you wanted.  They were terrible.  The molding process to make them left rough bits on a lot of them and the could/would snag the yarn.  So, back to yarn snippets I went running.  Then, once I discovered knitting and found all kinds of pretty, high quality stitchmarkers out there, I was sad.  But – Ravelry to save the day!  I happened upon a link to Hide and Sheep.  They had sterling silver crochet/removable stitch markers!  I quickly purchased a set of Large and a set of Small to try out (at $6/set and my enthusiasm, it’s shocking I didn’t end up with multiple sets of each).  I have tried them out (on a project that doesn’t even need stitch markers, but I was so excited) and they’re awesome.

I also decided to try out their “needle hugger” knitting stitch markers to use on my first lace.  Haven’t had a chance to test drive them yet since the lace is still in time out, but they are pretty, aren’t they?  I don’t like super-dangly ones so I have high hopes.  And all of their markers come in these cute little cans!  I got one for each set, combined my crochet markers, and repurposed the leftover one to hold all of my buttons.

That’s it for the new crafty toys.  Hope you’ve enjoyed it and maybe found some new places to shop!

I do want to give a big shout-out, though.

It goes to Kindel at Kindelsgarden on Etsy.  Miss Kindel is an acquaintance of mine (a lifelong friend of one of my closest friends).  She came to visit a few years ago and watching her knit made me want to try (I thought I failed and gave up for a year or so then tried again).  She also makes quilts. 

I had thought I’d try my hand at quilting a few years ago when a friend gave me an old Bernina (built in 1979 – the people I have service it always swear it is the best model ever made – all I know is that it makes really lovely straight lines ).  I wanted to make a quilt for Pax out of her baby/toddler clothes.  Well, after cutting out all of the seams and stains, the inside of my right thumb went numb for well over a year (it still feels different than the left, but at least I can feel it again!).  That made me never want to make a quilt and the clothes sat for a few years.  When my friend said something about Kindel making quilts – I knew I wanted her to make Pax’s.

Kindel is a gentle yet vibrant soul who just oozes good energy.  And anything my kid spends that much time with needs lots of good energy.  So, I asked Heather to ask Kindel if she would make the quilt.  She agreed.  I shipped off a huge box of cut-up baby clothes and some receiving blankets.  Pax had picked out a backing and some other fabric.  I had mentioned to Kindel that Pax has been collecting peace signs and she said she had an idea.  I trusted her. 

Well, this is what I got back a little while later.

This might be hard to see, but there are peace signs (and flowers and diamonds) hand-quilted into each square.  I had just assumed that it would be machine-quilted… 

I got teary-eyed when I saw this quilt.  I couldn’t believe (especially for what I paid) that she spent so much time making this for my daughter, personalizing it for her, and putting so much of her own creative energy into it.  Pax loves it, too.  She had to do a project in school where she had to draw the items she would bring in her one suitcase if she had to immigrate to a new country.  I think her drawing says it all.  Anything on the same level as her teddy Seamus and her favorite globe (she also collects those) is very much treasured.

That’s all for today, folks.  I’m hoping to get the raffle stuff photographed and posted this weekend.  I’ve got some exciting stuff to announce when I do, so check back!

Take care, drive safely, and have a wonderful day!

Really?

I can’t believe it has been nearly 2 months since I’ve updated!

I’ve been a busy girl, what can I say?

New full-time job, which I mostly enjoy (how many people stright outta college have a boss that earnestly asks, “What is your passion?  What do you want to do?  Tell me because I want to support you!”????)

A couple trips West.  LA and Vegas.  Going back to LA in a couple weeks, San Francisco in November, and I’m hoping to make it out to NOLA for a long weekend and maybe NYC.

Kid started school, then changed schools.  We’re much happier now.

I finished a really cool class and have since started a couple more that aren’t so cool, but, if I take them as opposed to testing out then I can put off paying interest on my student loans a while longer.

Debating working on a Master’s.

I want to move.  Bad.  I’ve got a serious itch to get.out.of.here.  But, I’m here for at least a year.

We also have babies!

 

How many do you want?

Not much to report in crafy news.  I’ve been a little too busy for that.  But I’ve done a bit of work on some long-term projects. 

I did find this in some O-Wool Balance I was working with… How cool is that!?!

Oh, and don’t hate me, but…

Oh!  I did make a hat for my acupuncturist’s baby girl.  Also O-Wool Balance.  Lot that yarn.

I also got a very cool gift from someone very special to me.

If you didn’t hate me enough for the Wollmeise, hopefully you can keep your head due to the lovely Sundara Silk I got my hands on…  Just gorgeous.

Well, that’s about it.  I haven’t done justice to anything at all, but, well, I wanted to catch up so I can do better from here on out.

And remember:  What happens in Vegas eventually airs on NBC!  Tune in to NBC on 12/28 to see what I was up to!

Beginner’s Luck

I had a couple new fiber-related experiences this week.

I tried needle felting, which went pretty well.  This means, my beaver finally has a face (I tried the way in the instructions but didn’t like the way it looked).

His name is Larry.

Next, I got THE email about the Sundara update (which apparently Every Other Person On The Planet Who Knits And/Or Crochets also got).  It was the first big update since I found out about the yarn.  Despite the desperate attempts and frustrations of many of my fellow fibercrafters, I managed to get out of there with one skein of Silk Lace in Daffodil.  I’m not big on yellow, but I knew that I’d be able to trade it and really – I didn’t care about the color, I just wanted to know what the fuss was all about (I sadly lost 2 skeins in Sour Apple which I would have loved).

So, a skein of Daffodil is on it’s way and as soon as it gets here it will be on it’s way to a new home and two other skeins will be on their way to me.  I’m getting a skein of Granite Falls and one Gooseberries from a fellow Ravelite (she is trading me one and I’ll buy the other since she said she’d never use it and Gooseberries is far too pretty to let go to waste!).

Current pattern contenders are (in no particular order):  Hanami, Adamas, Serpentine, and Japanese Feather.  I’m thinking if I do Serpentine out of one, then I could also get a Japanese Feather out of the same skein – which would make it all that much more worth it, so I’ll probably do that.  I technically already bought another yarn for Adamas, but I love it and want to use exactly the right yarn.  But, same for Hanami and I think that this yarn would look awesome in that pattern.

I thought I should share the progress on the kiddo’s dress.  I’ve got about 2″ left and then I can bind off.

Even after all those stitches, I am still in love with this yarn!  It is such a pleasure to work with!

I also cast on some new socks this week with my Smooshy in Spring Tickle.

In movie and Netflix news:  Rory O’Shea Was Here – probably one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long, long time.  Rent it.  Buy it.  Just watch it.  I’m going to buy it so that I can force everyone I know to see it.  I also sat down last night and started watching the series Dead Like Me while I tried to work on the dress (that was quickly abandoned because I wanted to watch the show).  I ended up staying up late and watching 6 or 7 episodes.  I just couldn’t stop.  Really funny and often thought provoking.  Sadly, I found out today that it’s been cancelled.  Of course.  Since that is what happens to all really good shows.

I know, behind already.

ETA:  My photos seem to be getting cut off on the right side.  I’ll try to figure it out later.  I’m off to bed for now.

I admit.  I’m behind.  Way behind.  But I’ve been a busy lady.

I did, in fact, finish my first socks (which resulted in the “Your First Socks” thread over at Rav in Remnants which has been just really freaking cool).

I used the 2 socks on 2 circs method (I used Knitting Circles Around Socks).  Awesome.  No more wresting porcupines and not-so-magic loop. 

Having just started the heel flaps:

The mess I made before I finally figured out how the yarn was supposed to lay (the one thing I didn’t understand from the book – just took some trial and error):

I Kevin Smithed while knitting.  It was a very bad idea.  I was not aware that getting all 4 halves of the socks onto one needle was even possible.  It was quite easy, though, I assure you.  I didn’t realize what was happening until the second needle fell away after I knit the last stitch.  I nearly had a heart attack and then realized that Twist was closed which added a panic attack to the heart attack.  Thankfully, I persevered and figured it out all on my own.

Heel flaps and gussets all done!  Go me!

My first fitting!

I got to the end.  I was so excited.  I snipped my yarn and got ready for my very first kitchener stitch ever…  Then realized that something was very wrong.

Yep.  I got a little TOO excited and didn’t finish the last row.  I was very thankful that I always leave too much tail so I had plenty to finish the last row/half-round and kitchener them off.  Why are so many people so freaked by kitchener stitch?  I thought it was rather simple.

Just in case they fell apart completely once I put them on, I took a close-up of the color.  I am trying to teach myself to like orange.  I figured this was a good place to start.

SOCKS!

Some other RCOs (Recently Completed Objects) include:

My pooly potholder (Patons Classic Merino in Harvest):

A couple bibs, but I think I’m going to frog the ties and use buttons instead at the insistance of some friends:

Um, there are a couple more but I need to wait until they get to their recipients before posting photos.

I’ve got a couple new WIPs.

Crocus Bud Shawl in Dream in Color Baby (Cloud Jungle) – I want to knit lace, but I’m still a little intimidated by it…  So I decided to crochet some lace first just to get used to the skinny yarn:

Also, I’m almost done with my beaver!  I think I’m gonna swing by the craft store tomorrow and pick up a needle felting tool and felt on his face because I can’t freaking figure out how to applique it (clearly my punishment for enjoying the kitchener stitch):

I enjoyed the hand-felting a ton.  Way more than I probably should have…  I want to knit many, many more beavers just for the hand-felting process.  Maybe I should start a beaver squashing business.  You make the beavers, mail them to me, and I will mash your beaver until it is soft and pettable.  I wonder if I could get paid for that…  Or if I’d get arrested just trying to advertise.

Anyway…

I drove down to Texas over the weekend (let’s not discuss why, exactly) and I stopped off at SWAK in OKC and Guthrie on my way home (went to the OKC location, they didn’t have what I was looking for so I went to the Guthrie location).  I did maximum damage to ye olde wallet with minimal stash enhancement.  $130 for 3 skeins.  I would have done more, but they didn’t have the laceweight bison in stock (and I just couldn’t convince myself that I really would wear $86 socks).

A skein of Prism Saki sock yarn that I didn’t look at the price of until I left (a good $10 more than I had assumed – but I like the colors and it is a bit too far away to return).  A skein of Euroflax in a color I about died over.  My very favorite shade of blue.  And…  A skein of some laceweight qiviut.  I blame that one on the Norwegians.  When they successfully take over the world, we’ll all need something warm to wear.

I also got my second order from Eat.Sleep.Knit.  Oh, update – the DIC Smooshy in the proper color arrived promptly along with some Flamingo Pie.  Here are all 4 of my Smooshies (Cloud Jungle, Black Parade, Flamingo Pie, Spring Tickle):

Second order, I got some DIC baby for the Adamas shawl, or, as it will be known here:  Adama’s shawl.  Because the old man is my hero, and NOT a cylon.  I hope to get that done in order to wear it when the last half of the season starts back up in January.  I got the color that most reminded me of toaster blood.  I think it’s fitting.  In addition, I got some more Misti Alpaca Handpaint Lace (Blue Stone).  I don’t know what I’ll make with it, but I really like to pet this yarn and I was starting to feel bad for my other skein.  I also got a couple other kinds of sock yarn.  One very awesome in both texture and color (Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome) and the other, love the fiber but not so much the color (The Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes in Dusk).  I thought it was grey/blue with some gold highlights (which is what I see on the website)…  Turns out it is purple with cream and yellow…  Ew.  I think I may have my first prize for a give-away!  LOL!  Oh, and a $5 store credit in the Lotto!  Yay!  If only I’d have that kind of luck with the real lotto!

So, that is my craftiness for the last few weeks.  No progress on Pax’s dress.  I think having it done for her birthday (Friday) is pretty much out of the question.  But, knowing my kid, it’ll still fit next year.  LOL!

In movie news:  Took the kid to see Wall-E.  Not as great as I was expecting, but not bad.  I think most people found it entertaining, I thought it was depressing.  We’re trashing our planet and getting fatter and fatter and few people seem to care…  But it’s okay to laugh at because we’ll be dead and gone long before the time comes that we have to jump ship.  Right?  I’m not so sure. 

I Netflixed Brokeback Mountain.  My first Heath Ledger movie since he croaked.  And it was fucking depressing.  I opted for that one since I figured it had to be happier than Bowling for Columbine and Sicko.  It wasn’t and I have a feeling that my next selection will be a bit more depressing yet (Rory O’Shea Was Here).  Anyone have a good comedy to recommend?

It is 12:05am.  Do you know where your yarn is?  Have a great week!

Two Days of Yarny Goodness

There is nothing better for a disappointed and aching heart than a little retail therapy.  Why is that? 

I think it has something to do with the newness of the items.  No bad energy with it (usually) so it kinda soaks up whatever is hanging around and levels out the qi.  In the case of yarn, thinking about and planning all of the beautiful things you’re going to make…  And when you think about beautiful things, it is that much harder to feel sad or grumpy or whatever.  Yarn is good.  And crafting is therapy.

I was in need of a little pick-me-up last week so I spent days and days filling up shopping carts and then emptying them out.  Picking out projects then searching Rav for the perfect yarns and refilling my carts and buying (I’m trying to only buy for projects from here on out).

Most of the yarn came yesterday and today.

First, my very first order from Eat.Sleep.Knit.  I am impressed.  Super-fast shipping (for free since I ordered $75+).  I got my Yarnathon Welcome Pack (photo below) and a scratch ticket (photo below).  There was a minor mix-up with the order, I got some Cocoa Kiss instead of Black Parade (and for those of you who know me know that I haven’t yet learned to love brown).  But after a quick email with Erin, I’m confident that things will be taken care of quickly (and she offered a $5 credit to my card or the store to cover the <$2 shipping back to her).  I have linked the site on my side bar.  Click it.  I get Yarnathon miles when you do, and if you order, a small store credit.  But I wouldn’t recommend them if I didn’t like them…  Tons of awesome yarns there.  And free yarn is one of my favorite things ever.

From ESK I got:  DIC Smooshy in Spring Tickle and Black Parade (not pictured, obviously) and some DIC Baby in Cloud Jungle (x2, my fave colorway) and Beach Fog.  Haven’t decided what exactly to do with the Cloud Jungle but I tried it out last night on a couple patterns (both of which didn’t work out right – one due to guage and one due to an accidental increase) but I loved it.  I think I’m going to use the Beach Fog for Seascape from the new Knitty.

Yes, my friends…  I won a free skein of the ever-delicious Smooshy!  How fraking cool is that?!  I gave Erin a couple color options and told her to surprise me – more fun that way.

A second package came yesterday.  From Susie at Martha’s Vineyard CSA (Ha!  I just typed “Vineyarn” on accident).  I was one of 4 lucky winners of a Manos Del Uruguay give-away which had an ungodly amount of entries.  It was an awesome concept and I just couldn’t help adding my $0.02 – and I won!  Which was just cool because I had just done the same thing she was doing (giving away yarn which held memories of a past relationship).  Anyway, got some lovely cherry-colored Manos.  Thanks so much, Susie!

Then today I got my package from Knit Picks.  YAY!  I got my Swish in Storm (I forgot which color I finally settled on and was happy when I opened the box) and nearly immediately (as in as soon as I took photos for my Rav-stash) I cast on for my Slouchy Cardigan (photo of row one of my first-ever sweater below).  There were also 2 skeins of Shimmer in Sherry.  Heather tells me I should wear more red.  So I’m going to make Upstairs stole and see how it goes.  I really like the color in person more than on the screen.  It isn’t too red and yet not at all purple or brown (I don’t really like when reds go purple or brown).

I must give a big shout-out to Shelly at Twist for helping me figure out which decrease should go where, advising me that “end with a wrong side row” means to stop after purling a row, and offering unconditional support should I need it.  I need to go to S&B more often.  I  Twist and Shelly.

Pax is insisting that I teach her to crochet tomorrow.  Maybe we’ll take the opportunity to go hang out at Twist for an hour or two.  She wants to make a dishcloth to clean up guinea pig pee.  What mom can argue with that?

Anyway, stay tuned for more photos of my first sweater (being my first, I’m sure there will be plenty!  I’m already ready for my first decrease!  How exciting!  And, more adventures in lace knitting.  And first socks!  So much new and so much awesome.

I have also been inspired by Susie.  I want to get a free pattern up and have a give-away to get people here to see it.  Hopefully in the next week or two before I start my first real grown-up job/career.

Started season 1 of Dr. Who today.  Hard to knit and watch at the same time.  Going to try knitting and a documentary tomorrow.

Yous wants craftiness?

How about a quick overview of current projects?  If you’re on my Rav friends list, this may well bore you.  I’m just sayin’.

Pax’s dress so far (just for you Megan!).  Using K1C2 Ty-Dy which is basically my new Favorite Yarn Ever.  This dress has a bit of an interesting story.  Went into Twist (see links, visit, give some love to Shelly: Best LYSO Ever), had an idea in my head, procured tape measures to “eyeball” the size of the kid and do the math to get yarn for dress.  Estimated size of child’s chest at 30″ (thinking I was slightly over-estimating because I refuse to run out of yarn).  But yarn accordingly.  Go home, measure child.  20″.  Remeasure child.  Re-do math.  Find different tape measure.  Insist child stands perfectly still while I remeasure.  20″.  Seriously?  20″??  Remeasure.  Yep.  20″.  Return some yarn.  Now, I have 4 balls and I’ve only JUST started #2.  I will maybe, just maybe, use a little of the 3rd.  But I love this yarn so very much that I am sure I can find something to do with the leftovers.

I decided that I needed some new potholders (apparently mine got left behind in the move back in January).  No, I don’t bake often.  Why do you ask?

Anyway, I also decided that I needed to add a contribution to the Examples of Pooling thread on Rav, so I purchased yarn accordingly.  I made this yesterday and it is currently in the wash felting.

In the process of making this for a baby-to-be.  I haven’t crocheted a whole lot lately so it’s been fun.  Unfortunately, the pattern I chose caused the blanet to be about 4″ wider than I was planning so I may have to ask my intended father’s in LA to do a little yarn shopping for me…  I haven’t been able to find an online source that I feel I can trust to get a couple extra coordinating skeins (Araucania Nature Cotton, if anyone has any recommendations – I’m thinking the lime green).  The varigated is Antuco by EA (I think they’re the same base).

The cat-vomit colored hat for my cousin’s daughter-to-be.  [Let your cat eat some Fruity Pebbles and tell me that I'm not right about the cat-vomit colored part...]  I used Noro Matsuri.

That was the second go of a pattern which I apparently didn’t save the link for.  Pretty basic, though.  Anyway, this was my first try.  My very first hat that was knitted in the round!  One minor mistake, which can go in the back.  I used Cascade Pima Tencel.  Lovely yarn with no give at all.  And I like knitting with cotton so that is saying something.  It was a little difficult, but it turned out lovely.  Very soft.

Other things I’ve been up to…  I taught myself magic loop!  YAY!

And, about 6 rows in, realized that I would never, ever finish a second sock.  So, I ordered Knitting Circles Around Socks and some KP Options in size 5 (and some size 2 for when I get good and can use the sock yarn I’ve already accumulated).  I’m going to use a skein of DIC Classy that I bought in LA.  May as well use the good stuff to keep me inspired, right?

The needles, along with some Shimmer lace and Swish DK (for my first ever sweater), are currently enroute to Wichita.  YAY!  I decided on the Swish because I remember my friend Aimee saying how awesome it is.  Now, sure, she gets paid by KP to make stuff…  But I don’t think they pay her to say nice stuff about their yarn (and I really don’t think she’d lie about it even if they did), so Swish seemed like a good choice.  I’m going to make the Slouchy Cardigan from Knit Cafe. 

The Shimmer lace, well…  I want to try lace.  I never wanted to knit lace before Rav.  Now it’s got me into sweaters and lace and is just insisting I hurry up with those damned socks.  I think, though, that I might start with a crocheted lace stole.  Crochet is by far my better craft and I know I can do that.  Maybe it would reduce my anxiety about lace knitting a bit.  Plus, I am in love with the Crocus Bud shawl.

Earlier this week, I got a box from Licking, MO.  Papa Don and his lovely wife Karol had mailed my new G hook to replace the one that the idiot taxi driver broke when I was in LA.  They were also kind enough to turn my broken one into a hairstick/shalw pin for me.  Love them.

I guess that’s about all on the crafty front. 

I received Sicko in the mail today from Netflix.  Watched it tonight.  Want to move to Europe immediately.