Lace away

Pomatomus are done! Knit in Mama Blue Knitting Goods Merino Semi-Solid Sock Yarn in the color Anvil. I don't like lace on my foot, in the shoe, so it gave me an opportunity to see how the yarn knits up with no stitch pattern. I like it! I love the way the yarn sparkles. They are a little too big, but only a little. I knit 10 pairs of socks this year, so far. 2 for my son, 2 for swaps and 6 for me. Wow.

As soon as I finished the Poms, I swatched for the SotS. I even beaded! My LYS had a size 14 crochet hook (its tiny!) but it may be a bit too small. I ordered a size 13, which is recommended for the size 8 beads I have. I hope the size 13 will be a it easier to bead with.
I made 2 swatches.
left: alpaca cloud, knit picks with addi lace us4
right: Fa Re Baruffa Cashwool Decatito, merino, addi lace us6.

Getting ready for Rhinebeck!! Hope you are coming! Please stop and say hello if you see me! I am not sure what I'll wear yet, but it will probably be one of these sweaters.
The sweater I started hoping to finish for Rhinebeck this year, will probably be done for next year. (well, yes...) I am participating in the Rhinebeck Bingo, and I am a square! Very very excited about it, and Its going to be a fab fiber festival!

Pomatomus making progress in the park

I spent a few hours in the park today, knitting up a storm on my Pomatomus. Slightly modified. I do not like lace on my foot in the shoe. Almost done, I am at the toe decreases, so I thought I'll cast on for some leftover wool/bamboo leftover spiral socks. I like the colors together, but its too orderly for this spiral idea. I guess 3 wild variegated yarns will be much better. moreover, the tangles are just too much for a little socks. I think these yarns will do better as wide stripes. Sitting in the park was mixed emotions. gorgeous weather and lovely time, but too long a break from work (it was a slow day) so too much worry.

I am going to swatch today for the Secret of the Stole KAL. there will be beads, and I need to get a very very very thinn crochet hook. The yarn I'll use is Alpaca Cloud in color Mist, from Knitpicks. (I had it in the stash!) I am not sure which beads I'll use. Fall is here. Makes me happy. Cool and crisp sweater weather!

It still hurts!

Freeform Knitting

My now destined to be a tea cozy freeform (365) went from this:

to this:

in just 50+ days. You can view the journey so far here.
Thank you all for your warm wishes. I am sure to start the new week better knowing you guys are cheering for me! In a week or so, the schedule will stabilize. It has to, right? I will get through this, one stitch at a time!

TGF

Its been a week from hell. Live and learn. I will not burden you with the details. Just a note to say I'm still here. Not ready to be really back; but knitting! Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett- love the yarn, simple top- down pattern (the yarn does all the work). 2 Addi circs US1. Have a good weekend!

So You Think You can Knit?

A Break

The last two weeks of August are always tough for me. I can't wait for the summer to be over, now that it is clear it will, and for Fall to begin. I want the schedule to be back to normal. All the components of the puzzle that is my life neatly back in place, and to be able to wear hand knit socks again. I am going to take a short break from blogging, blog hopping and all cyber activities for a while, and try to catch up with my life here. I desperately need this time. If you don't see my comments on your blog, you'll know why. I'll probably be back to cyber life Labor day weekend. I will be knitting, so I hope to have some lovely stuff to show; and you'll be knitting, so I hope to have some lovely stuff to see! Miss ya' already!

You can never spoil your camper too much!

So here I am in camp (for real!) battling the mosquitoes so I can knit in peace and wondering what will happen tomorrow when I finish the socks and run out of yarn and wouldn't you know it if I should be so lucky as to recive a care package from Dixie (AKA timiat on Ravelry and flickr.) Dixie studied my stash and queue and got me the most fantastic stuff! A gorgeous skein of sKNITches Syncopation yarn in Red Baron, and a soft as a cloud lace yarn, Fa Re Baruffa Cashwool Decatito for the Hanami stole in my queue. All my fav colors. Reds and grays and browns. And some yummy snacks and a good tea. (you KNOW that regular camp tea is like dirty water...). It is so great to do a Ravelry swap cause you can "see" into your pal's stash and queue and from the groups, you can have an idea what they might like! So, if you have not signed up yet- go and do it now!

THANKS Dixie!!! I love it all and I am off to cuddle up with the yarn and drink a cup of the lovely Assam tea (just perfect for a coolish rainy afternoon) while I finish reading my book! I am one spoiled camper- and I LOVE IT!

NYC magic

This photograph was taken with the camera held in my hand at the time the photo was taken. A little NYC magic! It is a wonderful little court yard in the heart of midtown. A great place to escape the heat and sit and knit for a little while, if you have time. Especially lovely with some ice tea or ice coffee in the summer... Get it?

Rocking!

Wow! I was nominated for the Rockin' Girl Blogger by both Annie and Kath!
Wow, thanks ladies, I needed a little moral boosting!!!So here is my badge!

And I nominate the following cool bloggers:
Rain- frog in knots
Aija- sock prøn
Mary- Mary, Mary Quite Contrary
Lori- from the wool room
Astrid- Astrid knits her way out

Are you wondering why I picked these fab people? Well I think they Rock! so go read their blogs, if you are no already a follower!

ECF- Serenity

Serenity- I desperately need some!

And for some fun facts. I recived the Five Star badge from the ISE4! Wow. I was so surprised. I had a wonderful time knitting the scarf and this was a bonus.

And - the socks fit my pal from sockapalooza! Until I saw them on her feet- Teresa from Knitting the Blues I was worried. She likes blue- but wanted to try something different. I have not received mine yet, but I am sure soon. I am in two swaps now on Ravelry, but I think I have to take a break from swaps after this, and focus on more FO. My queue is getting out of hand!

kim hargreaves- pin stripe

kim hargreaves- pin stripe from Rowan Book # 12. Knit in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes "stream" on Addi circs us5. See the inspiration here. It was a very nice knit. I started it for Project Spectrum in March, and it was in my knitting basket by the sofa ready to be my TV knitting when serious concentration was not needed. I still need to get buttons. No matter how many I have in my button stash, the "right" ones are not in there. Does that happen to you? It took 3 days to dry while blocking- it has been unbelievably humid here in NYC. I can see this being my snuggle up cardi once the weather gets cooler. And it will. Something to look forward to.

Once

The postman had to only ring once on Saturday and I was downstairs like a light to accept my package from Knit-Picks. The missing yarn was never found in my house and I had to order another. Wool of the Andes in Stream. Sure I hated to pay for the shipping (it was more than the yarn) but I had to get that skein! I have been up late the past 2 nights pushing to finish it, and I am at the last bit. Weave in the ends and block!!! So here are the- ends!

Thanks everybody for your support on the helmet liner. I hope you get to make one or two. Your kind compliments got to my head, and I think I'll make one for myself- for my bike helmet. Perhaps with a finer yarn. I have also been working daily on my Freeform knitting daily project. Its an interesting challenge. View it as a slide show. its fun.

Helmet Liner

Ravelry charity KAL. There is strength in numbers. Helmet Liner is a very easy pattern, knit in the round (there are also instructions for crochet). It takes only one skein of Cascade 220. Black. Be sure to get the superwash. Actually- less than one skein. Knit with US6 and 8.
Some people may not understand the fact that a person who dislikes wars is knitting for soldiers, but to me, its one and the same. I am pro- people. Soldiers are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, best friends, etc. Most of them would much rather be home with their family. I feel the sadness of all mothers whose children are out there. I wish for them to all come home, safely, soon!

aaaaaahhh!

I am ready to PU for the collar and Looking for the last skein, or do I have 2 left? what might I do with the extra skein if I have it? I have looked in all the obvious places, but its not here. The Trolls! they took it. Well. I had to order another skein, BUT- nothing else! I'm in an August challenge- "shop the stash." is it here yet?