Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here

As in:

calmly, cheerfully, dreamily, elegantly, enthusiastically,
fondly, fortunately, generously, gladly, gratefully, happily,
joyously, majestically, merrily, potentially, promptly,
rapidly, repeatedly, sheepishly, softly, tenderly,
warmly, wholeheartedly

All of these adverbs either describe the action going into the hand crafted making of the yarn and needles, the generosity of Lolly to a fellow knitter, or myself as I opened the box on my doorstep. Thanks Lolly for some great adverbs!

day 2: check

Misbehaving

No, not me. Never. It's this computer. It doesn't say charged unless it's plugged in and even then it's like working with those ancient bunny ears where you had to stand on your head and spit nickles while wearing some sort of homemade tin foil contraption around your ankles to make it work. I think some micro troll has moved in to reek havoc with shutting down programs with no warning and making funny noises at me periodically. It's all made work this week pretty interesting to say the least. But has made it impossible to share anything here with y'all. Downloading pics from last weekend and sock progress was also a no go... that is until this morning. I don't know how long this nicey-nice streak will last, so keep your fingers crossed that we can at least make it through this post.
First off to report is the Fall Fiber Festival in Orange VA last weekend. I was a little nervous about attending seeing that it's held just blocks down the road from the ex-in laws but meeting up with Sarah, Chan, and getting to meet Ann and (oh my, my mind is blank right now and I can't remember her name, sorry) made it worth it. It was good to get out and among the woolly fiberness. Although I was a little disappointed that not as many vendors came out to play as did last year. But that didn't stop me from finding a few beauties to take home with me.

From My Local Yarn Shop is this beautiful fall inspired Baby Alpaca yarn. There should be enough here to do a shawl of some sort but I don't have anything specific in mind just yet. But something tells me that I'm going to LOVE working with this yarn! I'm already in love with just holding it!

These two beauties are from Knitting Notions and are 100% superwash merino wool supersock. The colorways are deep and delicious. I'm sure they will be amazing knit up into an interesting sock pattern.

Then over at the Creatively Dyed Yarns booth I picked up this lovely skein with all it's fall glory. What a way to celebrate this glorious month!Here's a closer look at all the wonders included within this skein. What an amazing pair of socks these will be!!!

And speaking of socks.... what would Socktober be without socks on Friday...

promises, promises

OK. So I blew one of my promises. Get over it. I did. I don't really want to talk politics, but those of you who know me would be proud to know that I actually went to a debate party and didn't get home until really late. And today has been a day filled with yarn shopping and coughing up lung parts. I guess instead of leaving those bread crumbs along the blog path... OK, I won't go there. But I do have some good stuff to share.

My SP12 pal was good to me. She revealed herself to me with her final package that arrived on Thursday. Everything was wrapped so pretty but I couldn't find my camera before opening it all. I just wasn't patient enough for that. But I did take the time to look for it afterwards so that I could share my spoils with all of you.

There was a beautiful card with a lovely message inside from Allison and after visiting her blog, I have to wonder if she took this picture herself. It's so pretty that I might just frame it. The other photos on her blog are just as beautiful so if you have a moment to drop on over and check them out and leave her a little hello, I'm sure that would make her happy.

One of my favorite items in the package was this bag. Chan, it's got all the right pockets in all the right places. I've already decided that it has become my current go everywhere knitting bag.

These three cuties were also included and the first two have made their way into my desk at work to help bring a smile if a grooling day should cross my path. The pink kitty thing is a stapler of sorts. Two kids were in my room the other day and were fascinated with it! And I adore the monkey tape measure! I recently purchased a robe from Targeet with a sock monkey on the pocket (a photo saved for a future post through Socktober Fest) so I giggled like an 8 year old when I saw it. I keep showing all my knitting friends this weekend and now they want one too

And of course there was yarn. You can't forget the yarn.

Allison knew that I wanted to try my hand at some lace so she sent along some Silky Alpaca Lace by Classic Elite in a warm fall purple. She even made a few suggestions on patterns and I'm thinking of trying my hand at this one - Lacy Scarf Sampler. So maybe in the middle of all my started Christmas knitting I'll be crossing my fingers to actually work on this. But then again crossed fingers might prove to get in the way. But Allison was really a swapper after my own heart when she included some Dream in Color Smooshie in Chinatown Apple. This photo washes out the colorway a bit (damn crappy weather is effecting more than just my lungs). These will make lovely autumn socks.

And speaking of socks, I will leave you with a beginning of one of the other promises that I made, to show of my Sketchers. I'm planning to wear the every Friday during Socktober Fest to celebrate the hand knitted sock.

Somebody loves me

Well, maybe 'love' is a strong word seeing how my swap pal is a stranger to me. But that's how I felt when I opened my latest package from my SP12 secret pal. She must have been reading along or telepathically knows that life has been quite sh!tty this year but that I'm ready to begin turning things around. Actually, I've been wanting to be ready for quite some time now, but it just wasn't happening just yet. But now I'm ready to make my move. And this package is a clear reminder of that. That yarn you see there is as soft as melted butter only not as greasy. It's Classic Elite's Inca Marl in a oh so me rusty red. I'm going to have to knit something special just for me out of this. That is if I can stop rubbing it all over my body long enough to knit with it!

This photo doesn't do the yarn justice and looks too purply. But wait till you see what else was included with it! My darling secret pal made me these knifty row counters. They are so crafty and what a great idea. I'm going to have to figure out how she made these because I'm sure that a few of my knitting friends are going to want some.

Also included was a pen, a dpn holder, and a box of Swedish Fish. The pen has already made it into the bag I carry daily, the dpn holder is already in use with a pair of socks that I hope to be carrying around to finish (how did she know that I had these on my LoopyEwe wish list?) and the Swedish Fish are already gone. I haven't had a snack in two days (back on WW again) and was jonesing for something sweet. I haven't had Swedish Fish in SO long! They were always a favorite of mine. But I think the best part of the package (other than the yarn of course!) and most significant for me was the other two items. The message on the nail file is one that I need to remind myself of daily so it's going in my daily bag as well. There are lots of little good things going on in my life and I want to focus on them so that the sum of all the little things will make the bigger picture look brighter and happier. And I'm learning that day by day, life is going by. If we don't enjoy it now, when will we?

And this item is totally the way I feel right now. I'm ready to start over. Last Saturday I re-registered with WeightWatchers, work begins on Monday, I actually bought make up the other day (if I'm going to land another man I'm gonna have to look good right?), I've been buying new clothes.... so many things to mark a beginning. So what better way to start each day than a big mug of reminders?
My SP12 pal my not 'love' me but I can feel the loving thoughts she has sent my way. I certainly am in love with each item she included and can't wait to find out who she is so that I can tell her myself how much I appreciate her 'love', support, and friendship so far.

Beachy knits - What a surprise!

Jennifer over at Coffee, Puppies, and Knitting had a little contest to help celebrate her 4th anniversary with her husband. Jennifer and I have bonded over our issues with migraines, not the best thing to want to have in common with someone, but at least someone understands what I go through. Anyway, I won! She sent along a great prize package. A see through take along knitting bag, some color coordinated yarns, and a folding ruler. I love the combination of colors, so beachy. What a way to end a summer. Now, just to figure out what to knit with them!
Any beach appropriate ideas would be appreciated!

Recalculating Destination

Yesterday after the photo shoot of "Arlington Sunrise" and "Arlington at Dusk" I immediately cast on for the Slip Stitch Delight socks. The pattern originally calls for a medium weight yarn and size 2 needles. Sounds like a dream to me. I like knitting my socks with size 2 because they go faster and I'm usually a tighter knitter anyway. Although lately I'm finding that not so much the case. The pattern also has a CO of 60 sts and claims to have a cuff diameter of 8". Being that I have high arches and need a wider cuff to get over my heal, I resorted to adding 12 stitches to the cast on hoping that would give me the extra room I needed. However, after knitting the first 8 rows of the cuff ribbing, I was saddened to realize the fabric created was a little too loosy-goosy for long wearing socks. So a-frogging I went and re-cast on with size 1 dpns. The X motif was exciting to see emerge but that excitement was quickly squashed as I realized the limited diameter of the cuff. I went on a little further to check out the body of the leg pattern and to see what the give of it was. Again disappointment and then evil flashes of the possibility of 100 stitches on size 1 dpns with a two row repeat pattern that is kind of tight to knit began to make my head spin. My stomach did somersaults. I wiped my brow of the sweat beading up there. Would my beautiful yarn and the perfect pattern for it be tossed aside to never see the light of a knitter's hand for a decade or more?

And then by some miracle of the knitting gods, as I was fondling the piece staring in disbelief, my fingers slid through the completed fabric and the world began to shine again as the yarn and pattern called out it's new destination. "Arlington Sunrise" doesn't want to be a pair of socks to be hidden away beneath a pair of slacks or jeans and stuffed into some sweaty shoes. No, no my friends. "Arlington Sunrise" wants to be adored by all as they are flashed around. They want to be as energetic as a simple pair of socks would be but with more flare, more finesse, more exuberance. And who am I to not give in to the yarn's deepest desires?

And so Slip Stitch Delight fingerless mitts they will be!!!

Sugar is Sweet

The house is filled with the sweet smell of flavored sugar. How could knitting get any happier! The reds and oranges were difficult to capture, but we'll give it a shot.

"Arlington Sunrise"

ready for Slip Stitch Delight (Ravelry link)

"Arlington at Dusk"

ready for Wollmeise Socks (Ravelry link)

Look What's Cookin' in Wendy's Knitchen

One of my goals for this summer was to experiment with dying yarn. Ages ago I ordered some KnitPicks Bare yarn in two different weights. Today I was moved to play with the sock yarn. I've been reading several blogs who have been knookin' in the knitchens and it was about time I joined the party. Armed with this web site for guidance I set forth to create a culinary masterpiece.

First I 'blanched' the Bare yarn in a large 'pot'. My goodness does wet wool smell bad! While all that yardage (2 skeins) moisturized itself, I took off to the store to make a few purchases. I came home baring distilled white vinegar and LOTS of kool aid.


I set to prepping the 'sauces' - grape marsala, black cherry wine, cherry marinara, and orange alfredo. Ingredients = 1/2 cup vinegar and 4 packets of each flavor.

Next it was time to 'marinate' the yarn. I carefully drizzled the concentrated 'sauces' over portions of the yarn. In one 'pot' the grape marsala and black cherry wine and in the other the cherry marinara and orange alfredo. I know that these don't sound like complementary flavors, but trust me on this one. Adding in a thinning agent (water) and they were set to 'simmer' on medium heat for a few hours.

Checking in with today's 'dishes' it was apparent that they were missing some 'seasonings' so it was back to the pantry for additional 'spices'.

A little while longer on 'simmer' and it was time to move them on over to the convention oven for several hours.

What's knookin' in your knitchen this summer?

Lunch with Loopy

I must be making up for lost blogging time with multiple posts per day. Or maybe I'm just bored and need to get out. This morning I worked on finishing the body of the DiC shrug and now I'm ready to seam up the sleeves and then pick up for the border. So I decided it was a good time to break for lunch. (At 3:00 in the afternoon lunch is a little late, I know. But that's what you get when you didn't get up for breakfast until 10:30.) So I'm sitting here eating a bowl of blueberries and Cool Whip when the mailman arrives. Which is good because he didn't come at all yesterday and I was beginning to worry that maybe our house had become invisible to outsiders or something. I mean, why else wouldn't the mailman stop here?! He or she normally slides the mail through the slot in the door and leaves. But today I heard a thump just outside the door. I know what that means!!!! That means a PACKAGE!!!!! Immediately I put down my bowl of blueberries and Cool Whip and ran to open the door and dive into the package. And you gotta love what was inside! It was from TLE so you know it was good!I'm now set for going back to work and taking my tea or coffee with me. Well, maybe I'm not ready for the going back to work part, but who said I can't have the tea or coffee on the side porch in the morning? Then feast your eyes on these beauties!!!

Those of you who know me know that I'm such a fall baby and how much I love fall colors. How could I possibly resist Jitterbug's new colorway "October Afternoon"??? It's like it was screaming out to me! It's a blend of pumpkins, dark greens, and brick reds. You know I'm in love!

And I've been wanting to try some Chewy Spaghetti and colorway Simpatico seemed to fit the bill for me. It will make lovely fall socks with it's peach, brown, tan, cream, light blue, and dark pumpkin.

I'm already dreaming of those cooler nights of autumn. mmmmmmm..... pumpkin......

I've also been interested in the possibility of attempting a colorwork project and the ShiBui Transition Gloves were very appealing. So I picked up the pattern and some lovely yarns for it as well.

And TLE must have known that I was having lunch because now I have some yummy Loopy kisses to crunch on to finish off the lunch. What a great day! Now maybe I should get back to finishing some of those WIP so I can cast on one of these lovelies!

Guessing game???????

Bet you can't guess what's lurking beneath the bubbles?

Hint: They should be blocked and dry before Aunt Suz gets here next week.

Or mabye you can guess what this is dreaming of becoming? It's Classic Elite Yarns Alpaca Sox in color way 1835.

Hint: Something everyone's been springing head over heals over. Ha ha ha ha!

Contests and winnings

There are several contests out there that are worth mentioning.

First up is Chan celebrating her blogiversary. Pop on over and tell her about some crazy adventure/experience that someone has talked you into and you might just be rewarded for your antics.

Hurry on over to see Cinnamongirl and begin celebrating the arrival of spring.

Ponyknit is marching through March with Malabrigo to spare.

Anne's looking to expand on her blog reading and is asking for great blog links.

I know I've come across a few other contests but for the life of me can't remember where. Sorry.

Anyone reading this should head right on over to all of them and enter. Here's proof that knitting friends give great prizes!!!

Today the mail man brought me this wonderful package from Risa and her sock contest. She's kind of new to the blogging thing so hop on over and say hello. She's got a great eye for sock yarns!

This is hand dyed Chocolate Princess in Colarz. Check out her Etsy shop and all her lovely colorways. I love the color combination and can't wait to see what it turns out to be! Also in the package were adorable pink butterfly stitch markers and very stylish knitterly knote cards. Thanks Risa! You rock!

But that's not all the mailman brought me. Chris over at Drop Stitch Knitter had a contest a little while back and it was well worth the wait to receive her package of goodies!

What luscious additions to my stash! The prize package included some spring/Easter goodies... yum... as well as some tasty yarns. Couldn't you just eat these up!

Artyarns Supermerino 155

Karen's Heavenly Creations in Boston colorway

And Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Childsplay

Knitting friends have the biggest hearts and are total fun! Thanks again ladies! And to think today is Monday... oh Monday Monday. Usually not a very good day. But what a way to end spring break!