Knittin' and Lovin' It

No Much Going On

Karen (The Knitting Patch) is running a contest to raise money for RFB&D (Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic...you can read more about RFB&D on Karen's blog. The contest is going to run through the month of April so you still have a chance to jump over there and donate to be entered into the contest. Donate, don't donate, that's up to you. I did because I believe that RFB&D has made a major difference in a lot of peoples lives. I just wanted to help Karen spread the word. I've been wanting to post about this the last few posts and I kept forgetting about it. Bad Blogger No Biscuit!

I've been working on my Rogue for the last few nights.


The front and back have now been split and I'm working on the back of the sweater. It won't be long before I'm starting the front. I can't wait to finish this! I really like the detailed pattern of Rogue. No, I don't need a pattern that will hold my hand but the extra detail in this pattern makes things a lot more clear with less frustration. Thankfully I have a laser printer so I can print 19 pages front & back in nothing flat. I love my Lexmark printer!

Hide and Sheep stitch markers.


I bought these from their new site where you can customize your markers and bracelets. These are Tigers Eye and I decided to have them fit up to a size US9 needle, they're hanging on US 7 Knit Picks Option needle. I bought these for my lace projects. I love these markers!

I have my eye on Eris as my next sweater project but haven't decided on the pullover or the cardigan. I like both so it's a tough decision. Then again I may change my mind between now and then.

Shawn picked out a sweater pattern. He wants Iain by Figheadh Yarnworks. The designer is reworking the pattern to add in bigger sizes which is a good thing because the current pattern wouldn't fit Shawn's 50" chest. That's gonna be a lotta cables! Once I find out the yardage needed I'll order the yarn from WEBS.

I'm going to grab a little quiet knitting time before the monster toddler of the house wakes up.

Feelin' Better

My knee is starting to feel better. It isn't tender anymore and it's only swelling now if I'm on my feet for too long. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things but it's slow going when I constantly have to take breaks. Still no spinning. I'm giving my knee a little more time before I start peddling.

I do have a few things to show you. I received these in the mail on Saturday.


I had a $25 credit at TLE so I decided to pick up the red canvas bag (sold out again) and Little Loopy.

Isn't Little Loopy cute!! I still have the bag but Bree stole Little Loopy away from me and renamed him Pie. She calls all lambs "Pie". It's short for Lambie Pie which is what we called the first lamb we gave her. She's fascinated with his movable arms and legs. So the next time I order I'll have to buy a new Little Loopy for myself.

I finished Kaity's mittens.


I didn't have much left to knit to finish them but always found other things to knit. Next time I'm going use a provisional cast on to make things easier.

I just looked at the list of my WIPs on Ravelry and noticed that I only have 5 projects. It's been awhile since I had so few WIPs.

I also finished the Cross-Stitch Block socks.


I'm still waiting for sunshine to get a better shot. Kaity fell in love with this colorway so I'm going to order a skein this payday to make her some socks for her birthday. It will be a late birthday gift but she knows about it and I'm going to let her pick out a pattern.

I'm starting another pair of socks for myself using some blue & Green Cherry Tree Hill potluck supersock (flickr link) that I bought from The Yarn Shoppe way long ago before I had a stash. Actually this yarn was the start of my sock yarn stash. The pattern I'm using is Rattlesnake Creek Socks (Rav link)(pdf link).

Goodie Filled Post

This is going to be a long, picture filled post. The mailman and UPS man brought lots of goodies to my door....weee!

The lunar eclipse from the other night.


My camera doesn't zoom in close enough for a super shot but this one that Shawn took wasn't too bad. The sky was clear so we had an excellent view of it. Kaity found it fascinating and Bree could care less what was going on.

The mailman brought me a box filled with Loopy goodness.


This is the stuff I ordered from The Loopy Ewe. Three different colors of Sakina Needles BFL Roving and DIC Smooshy in Spring Tickle and Go Go Grassy. I have a real obsession with Smooshy right now.

I received this in the mail the other day but wasn't going to create a blog post for one thing.


It's a mini crochet key chain by 5elementknitr. I got this one after reading about it on Nell's blog. Here's the etsy link. Definitely a must have for every knitter.

Oh look, cute baby.


Thought I'd throw that in to break up all the enabling. Back to the drool fest.

My baby still in her packaging.


All her parts laid out on the floor ready for assembly.


Assembly was fun but took awhile. Putting together a spinning wheel is not something to do if your in a hurry. I put it together while watching reruns of Crossing Jordan on A&E. I really wished they wouldn't have canceled this show. A&E is currently my favorite TV channel and is the reason I'm hooked on CSI: Miami.

Here she is all put together.


Preeeecious, My Precious (gotta use Gollum's voice from Lord of the Rings). You know the voice, the one he uses when he's petting the One Ring. Yes, I love Lord of the Rings and yes I read the books way before the movies were ever thought of.

Oh look my very first skein of over twisted fluff.


This is a small amount that I spun last night. It's not the prettiest in the world but it's a start and I'm proud of my over twisted bit of fluff. I'm going to try to spin some more after I get Bree down for her nap this afternoon.

Alright, I've finally made it through all the pics. I should be seeing a box from Wool Girl soon carrying a couple skeins of sock yarn and a new sample knit! I'm planning on ordering from her again this payday. I want to pick up Knitspot's Bee Fields Shawl pattern and enough Malabrigo lace to knit it. I don't wear shawls but I want to knit them. Guess they'll make great decorations. Anyone have creative ideas for shawls?

Goodies

My Knit Picks box finally got her yesterday. Shawn and I went into town to find new computer desks and came home to find it sitting on the porch. WooHoo!


I got 2 skeins of Felici: Arugala, 2 skeins of Essential: Blue Violet Multi, a WPI tool, 2.5mm 40" Circ for knitting 2 at a time, Knitting on the Road and 2-at-a-time Socks. As soon as I finish my Marie Antoinette socks I'll be starting a pair from one of these two books.

I also picked up 4 more cones of Peaches & Creme the other day.


I can't help it. It's a sickness. The colors are starting to disappear so I snagged 4 more cones yesterday. I think I have enough now.

I've also been knitting. I finished the 2nd panel in my Cable Comfort Throw.


Still have 4 more panels to go. I decided to add one more panel to make the throw a little larger. I'm going to look for a thinner yarn to seam all the panels together. I think the Thick & Quick yarn is way to thick to make for easy seaming.

I also started the Celtic Knot Stole but since I've only finished 5 whole rows I didn't figure it was far enough along to post a pic.

Why is it that I always seem to have troubles when ordering things. I placed the order for my wheel the other day. It shipped out that same afternoon...woot! Now the problem, someone decided to add a double treadle kit to my order making the price go up $100. So needless to say I was charged $100 more then I should have. I don't need a double treadle kit, my wheel comes with a double treadle standard the kit if for older wheels that the owner wants to upgrade....sigh! So I called customer service and they fixed it right away. They are issuing me the credit and all I need to do is refuse the one box and have UPS send it back. But I need to figure out which of the three boxes needs to go back without opening them! What a PITA!

So now I have to stalk the UPS website to make sure that the delivery date doesn't change so I can catch the UPS delivery person before they drop the boxes and run. If not I'll have to schedule a pick up and have the delivery person come back.

Anyone else out there have an UPS delivery person who drops the boxes on the door step, rings the doorbell and then runs as fast as they can to their truck like someones standing in the doorway with a double barrel shotgun? I have one of those, unless of course they need a signature then they give a few extra seconds before they leave a slip and run for the truck. I miss our delivery lady in Idaho *sniff, sniff*

Today I leave you with Kaity.


We bought her a new snow suit. Not that she's using it right now, it's like 47 degrees outside. We bought the next size up so she can wear it next year.

Spin Me Right Round....

Did you all hear me squeal with joy this afternoon? No, well I'm surprised. Shawn brought home my new ball winder.


There are absolutely no regrets on this purchase. Shawn put the ball winder on layaway for me when he took Kaity Christmas shopping for me at our LYS. It's made by Nancy's Knit Knacks.

I actually had to force myself not to play with the ball winder all day and get some housework completed. Now that's willpower.

I finished the first Garter Rib Sock.


I'm going to dub these my "Can't Get Lost in Fog" Socks, though I think Garter Rib socks is probably easier to say. They are super bright but I love them.

Tomorrow we're heading down to Helena to do a little Costco shopping. Shoot, who am I kidding, we'll be doing more then just a little shopping at Costco. I'm betting it will be between $200-250. If it's less then that I'll be surprised. Since that's a decent drive I'll be able to get some knitting done. Not sure what I'll take. I may start Kaity's mittens or a hat for Shawn.

I've decided to pick a New Years Resolution I can probably keep. I'm going with learning how to spin. Colleen sent me the stuff to get me started for my birthday and I think it's about time that I use it and get this whole spinning thing figured out. I found out there is a spinning guild hear and they are suppose to be offering a free drop spindle class in Feb. If I can't figure it out on my own I'm going to head over to this class. I'm determined so I'll figure it out....I'm stubborn like that.

Now I'll leave you with this pic.


Mess, what mess mama....there's no mess here.

Lazy Sunday

Not to much going on here in the house of Luvs2knit. We're relaxing and enjoying the day. I have a few things to show you.

First up, I finished the 1st panel of my Cable Comfort Throw.



The panel is folded in half in the picture above. Of course after I finished the first panel and started the second panel I read other peoples comments on Ravelry who have knit the whole throw in one piece. It sounds like a great idea but after I got to thinking about it, the project would lose it's portability so knitting it in panels are a better idea for me.

Here's the blankies I purchase for Bree.



She loves them like crazy. They are small thus making them easy to carry around. I bought them off etsy from Katie Bean Kids. Great seller, fast shipping. She has some really cute kids jewelry. I may go back later to get some for Kaity's birthday.

Yesterday we all went out Christmas shopping. Kaity went with me to pick something out for Shawn and then they dropped Bree and I off at Barnes and Noble while they went to shop for me. Which was just fine with me. Who can resist a Carmel Mocha from Starbucks and a fully stocked shelf of knitting books? Not I!!

I do know that they went to Pam's Knit 'N' Stitch because Shawn decided that my little plastic ball winder needed to be replaced so he put this one on layaway for me. So here in a few paydays I will be the proud owner of a beautiful wooden ball winder.

A Knitters Meetup and the Loot

***Warning: long post with lots of pictures!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be able to meet up with a fellow knitter, Debbie who also lives here in Montana. Oh it was so wonderful to sit down and discuss knitting with another knitter. Sorry no pics, I was so excited to be meeting up with Debbie that I forgot the camera....bad bad blogger!

We met up at Barnes & Noble since Shawn would probably kill me if I came home with more yarn, not because I'd be coming home with more yarn but because it's getting close to Christmas time so the extra money needs to be set aside these next few paydays for Christmas shopping. I did come home with a few things though.



I picked up the Holiday 07 issue of Interweave Knits. There are several super cute things I would love to make out of there, specially that Ski Sweater....Yum! I even love the colors they used. I think I may be able to sub it with a Knit Picks yarn.....must do more research. I need to try my hand at a smaller colorwork knitting project before I dive into a sweater. I also picked up another Debbie Bliss baby book. Who can resist all those cute photos? The other thing is a book mark for me. I've vowed to start reading every night before I go to bed. It's been months since I picked up a book that wasn't full of knitting patterns.

I have the back and two front pieces done on the Baby Kimono for Bree.

I have the sleeves started but still have several inches and a lot of increases to do before I'm done. It shouldn't take long.

So I am knitting, but I haven't started a new pair of socks yet. I'm still bouncing back and forth between some Cherry Tree Hill Supersock and my Smooshy sock. Plus I really need to finish up a few projects before I start another one. The biggest project to finish is the Cabled Baby blanket.

Bree has a new place to play.

We had bounced around the idea of getting a big baby gate so that Bree could have the living room to play in. The gate was going to cost well over $100....ouch! We came across this play yard. We were sold after seeing the price ($49 with free shipping) and the reviews which were mostly excellent.

This play yard gives her tons of room plus it's much safer for her to play here because it is 100% baby proof. There is no way I could get my living room completely baby proof. The bonus is that Bree loves her new spot and will sit in there with her toys and play for quite some time.

The yarn room is set up.

Shot #1:

Drawers one and two are being used for my sock yarn. The third drawer is holding all my worsted weight wool and the fourth drawer is holding my single balls of yarn and my lace weight yarn.

Shot #2:

I now have plenty of room for my yarn. Up above the books is where my swift and ball winder sit. The shelf under the books is all my cotton yarns. I need to run out to Michaels so I can browse through their baskets. I want to get one to hold all the dishcloth cotton. Next to the shelf I have a small 4 drawer bin that use to sit next to my chair. That may move out to sit next to my chair when I get the last of the boxes unpacked. Next to that is a 6 drawer bin that holds my color cards, acrylic yarns, etc.

Well I'm outta here for now. It's almost time for Bree to get up and I have a few things to get done.

Knitting Happy!

Why am I knitting happy, some of you may ask. Well it's because of this.



I replaced my beat up glider with this fabulously comfy, solid oak beauty....please excuse the mess, we're still majorly disorganized in all the rooms sept the bedrooms and the kitchen. Getting this baby was like moving from a Dodge Neon straight to a Lexus. My previous glider was a Wally world special that had seen it's fair share of abuse, namely baby spit up. It was destined to die an early death.

So since I had the camera out I thought I'd show you all what I've been up to.

First up, is a baby kimono made with Caron's new Simply Soft Baby.



It's really soft and nice to work with. It's isn't splitty like the regular Simply Soft. I like the Simply Soft but it drives me nuts at times to knit or crochet with because it has a tendency to be splitty. The kimono pattern is only found on the ball band right now or I'd link it. It's similar to a lot of the other baby kimonos out there.

Next up, the Butternut Rib socks.

They are progressing nicely. I should have these finished by next weekend.

Hopefully sometime next week I'll be able to head out to Barnes and Noble to pick up the Holiday 07 issue of Interweave Knits. There are several things that I want to make out of there. I'd love to make the Ski Sweater for myself. I even love the colors that they used. I love the Koolhaus hat too. Plus the sock patterns....definately worth the price of the mag. I know we'll go out because Transformers comes out on DVD the 16th. There's no way Shawn's not going to run out to buy that one.

Another good thing. I'm going to get a chance to meet up with a fellow Montana knit blogger. I'm really looking forward to it.

Well I'm outta here. I need to go sit in my glider and knit for a bit. Now that I have to get up at 6am bed time comes a lot earlier then midnight.

What A Wonderful Day!

I received my YP Booty Club shipment today.  I love, love, love it!  Enough said....I'll post pictures later.  I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone.

I started the Twisted Flower socks last night.   I decided on the Carribean Louet Gems.  I'm saving the Bright Red for a cabled sock pattern out of Sensational Knitted Socks.



I'm about halfway through the first repeat of the leg chart.  The first thing I had to do was blow up the charts.  There is no way that anyone could read those charts without Super Powers.  So Shawn, being the fab hubby that he is, made all the charts bigger.  As you can tell by the Chart Key in the photo I did some color coding.  Each of the twists and cables have their own color for easier identification.  I also outlined the k2tog with bright pink so it stands out so I won't mistake a ssk with a k2tog.  Once I did that the chart was extremely easy to read.  The only time I slow down is for the cables and twists.  I don't have those memorized.

I've found the sock isn't overly difficult but it isn't a normal pattern for me.  I generally pick patterns that are super easy to memorize or require no memorizing at all, like 2x2 ribbing or stockinette.  I won't be working on these socks when the kids are awake since they need all my concentration. 

Thursday

Crappy title, yeah I know.  My creativeness is shot.  Not to mention I think I lost my want to knit....hope that comes back soon.  I'll go into that more in a minute.
I didn't knit on anything last night, I was just to tired.  So I crawled into bed around 9:30 pm.  That's the earliest I've went to bed in a long time.  :~)
Lookie what the mailman brought me:





My winnings from Colleen's Spare A Square.  She has monthly drawings.  For each square you send you get your name dropped into the jar for the drawing at the end of the month. The other is one of the Yarn Harlots books.....as if I have to explain this to you all....lol.  My mom picked this up for me the other day.  I don't have any of them so this was a great little addition.  These wonderful things helped soften the blow of what I'm going to have to do this afternoon.
I also got in my order from Astrid, Yarn Pirate, and BMFA but I didn't take pictures of them.  I can't keep them so I don't want to get attached to them.

I'm not looking for pity, I just want to share what I'm going through with those who will understand the pain and trust me when I say pain because there was definitely some pain when I opened the BMFA package today.  Oh boy do I like STR, but I'm sure it will find a good home.  :~)    But my pain is no where close to what Sue and her family are feeling right now.  What I'm going through is so trivial compared to losing a beloved pet.
I'm not going to go into a lot of detail but money we though we were going to be able to get for the move is now not going to happen.  So needing to put on a trailer hitch on our car and Kaity needing summer clothes brings me to the need for money and a lot of it.  This is where my sock yarn stash comes in.  You all have seen some of the stuff I've bought.  I'd say that over 98 % of sock yarn stash will be sold out on ebay.  I know for a fact it will sell, shoot just about anything will sell on ebay.  I'll be keeping a few lone skeins that aren't enough for an adult pair of socks and my balls of yarn from Opal, Regia, Knit Picks...etc, stuff I've won in contests, been given to from friends. and the like but the rest will be sold off.  I'm definitely keeping my Loopy Ewe sock club package, there's no way I'm parting with that.
So this afternoon I'll be photoing a whole lotta sock yarn so that I can get it listed on ebay here in the next few hours.
I don't think I need to explain to you all how tough this afternoon is going to be.  But you do what you have to do. 
I can say one thing truthfully, from here on out I will not buy something unless I'm going to knit it up right way.  I will never have a stash again because I never want to have to do this again.  :~(