Silk Neck Warmer

Pattern: DK Buttoned Neck Warmer and Hat (free pattern from my LYS)
Yarn: Manos Silk Blend (30% Silk, 70% Merino)
Needles: Size 6 circular

Last Friday I felt I deserved to treat myself to new yarn. That was THE DAY that I was going to the dentist and GI specialist. (Just a little stress and in need of a total body makeover!) So inbetween appointments, I visited my LYS. I fell in love with this colorway, though it was difficult to make a decision because they were all beautiful. The pictures do not do the color of the yarn justice. Vision it as shiny and silky.
You can't see the lace effect in each of the triangles but they are there. There will be buttons joining the fronts. I may have to make some adjustments and I know exactly what kind of buttons I want. However, it is going to be a treasure hunt.
The tag says, "The Hands of Uraguay" is a non-profit organization which assembles over 400 artisans in cooperatives scattered throughout the countryside of Uraguay. The aim is to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women.

Now the kicker to all of this is that I was busy chatting with the clerk and didn't notice the price of the yarn. The prices are located on the shelf itself and I must have gotten confused. I would not have made this purchase had I realized the $$$ amount. Oh, well!!! It was meant to be.

While at my LYS I mentioned I had recently purchased some of their new "Jitterbug" yarn (again, a little pricey) and that I was disappointed as there were several knots in the yarn. I was told that the manufacturer (and, thus my LYS) does not accept returns unless there are 4-5 knots per skein. Now really, I might as well go to Jo-Ann's and buy cheap yarn if that is the case. I will write to the manufacturer and complain.

Note: Pattern and yarn do not come from the same LYS

Happy Knitting!

Free Pattern: Fetching Mitts (<--click)

Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of The Andes (one 50 gr. ball)

Needles: Size 5 dps

It was so much fun to knit this pattern. So many people have and I can see why. Amy S. knitted hers a little longer and so did I by about 4 rows.

Knitting the thumb this way was a new method which I liked very much. Knit a row with waste yarn and then pick up the live stitches later.

My co-worker, Rebecca, ...oops, I should say former co-worker as she has departed for greener pastures this week, was the recipient of these mitts as a "going-away" present.

I didn't do the picot edge as she did not like that look.

I've completed several other projects, about four others, that I haven't had time to take pictures of and blog about but I will soon.

I started teaching my sock knitting class this week. I only have three students but that is fine with me as I can provide more "one-on one" attention. The class is being held in the comfy library at my local high school. There are four sessions of instructions and am hoping they can complete at least one sock. They are at various levels in their knitting career.

I did visit a new yarn shop last week about 30 miles from home. They recently moved to this new location so it is an "old" that has become "new". They have a bright, cheery location with a great selection of yarn and fantastic customer service added to the mix. The weather was beautiful the day I went so I strolled the "farmer's market" across the road. It was a very uplifting day!

I've had no time to spin but hope to carve out some time out of my busy weekend schedule to spin some of that roving I purchased recently.

Other than that, life has been pretty quiet.

Happy Knitting!

Sandy gave me this award. Thank you and I am honored to be selected.

I know that some of you don't like this sort of thing so I tried not to select you, or if you were selected previously for some other award, I tried to choose someone different.

To carry this forward, I am to select 7 blogs and pass along the award. Please just take this for what it is. Do not feel pressured into passing the award forward.


Here are the non-rules:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (as shown above).3
) Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

http://kimscozyquilts.blogspot.com/ - A long-time blogging friend, wonderful quilter and a very funny person

http://amysamin.blogspot.com/ - Amy has so many interests, genealogy, stamping, knitting and more that her posts are always interesting.

http://luvsknitting.blogspot.com/ - Deb is always fun. She is now an avid sock knitter.

http://spindyeknit.com/ - her posts always have a human interest thread. She is also the author of "Wrapped In Comfort - Knitted Lace Shawls"

http://melissascrochet.blogspot.com/ - Check out Melissa's beautiful crocheted baby items. We have a deal...she is going to learn how to knit and I am going to learn how to crochet.

Have fun reading these blogs and hopefully make a new blogging friend.

Happy Knitting!

Camouflage Socks

Pattern: Any child sock pattern will do
Yarn: Regia Galaxy Sock Yarn
Needle Size: 2 (Magic Loop)
I purchased this yarn on sale at my LYS when Brian and I were shopping last weekend. I really didn't feel there was anything special about these socks, the yarn, etc. However, I was knitting them for a very special person, my grandson Jakob, age 21 mos.
The blue is more pronounced in the pictures than in person. I usually don't like "fraternal" socks (mine, not other people's)but in this case, seeing they look like camouflage, I find it acceptable.
I knitted a plain K2, P2 ribbing as I wanted the socks to hug his little legs and not fall to his ankles as he is quite slender. By knitting this ribbing, the socks can also be folded and worn as crew socks.

For those of you who migrated from Yahoo 360, you probably remember Ewey. (<--click) She had a craft show last year when the NE Street Rodders (<--click) were in town and I worked with her. I'll be doing it again for a short while this Saturday. It's always so much fun. The people are so friendly and the cars so interesting and speaking of cars................

When I was 18 I wanted a blue Camaro so bad. That's all I talked about. Well it hasn't happened yet! (The operative word being "yet".) Today, there was a blue Camaro parked next to my car. Now, mind you that occasionally I will see a Camaro but never a blue one. The owner was sitting behind the wheel. He told me it was a '95 and get this.................he has owned 23 Camaros in his short lifetime (about 35 years). Somehow, there is an inequality there..........you think!!!

Happy Knitting/Spinning!

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival & Diamondy Socks

I've been busy, really busy but I found time to complete several projects that were UFO's for some time. Above are my completed Diamondy Socks. See August 2nd post for free pattern and details.

Last weekend, Brian (<--click) came to visit. He and I and my co-worker, Rebecca, went to the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. There were fewer vendors this year and fewer attendees but it was still a lot of fun.

Here is a pic of Brian knitting with these giant needles that were designed to knit up your leftover stash quickly (ie. six strands at a time). "Big Stitch Knitting" (<--click) Look at the price of these needles! Wow!

Brian arrived with a wonderful basket of hand-knitted items for me such as dishcloths, bath mitt, candles, hand creams, etc. Such a thoughtful guest! He also spent quite a bit of time teaching me different methods of spinning! I also had a crochet lesson. That finished project will be posted later this week.Now, here is a new way of dyeing your yarn. I felt bad for this poor animal. Tell me she doesn't know that she looks different! Worse yet, this sheep belonged to my daughter's friend from high school and who was her maid of honor at her wedding.

Check out this electric spinner! It was quite interesting!

I took very few pictures at the wool festival. It was horribly humid and I was carrying too many bags to keep digging for my camera. I was enjoying the moment(s)!!!

Happy Knitting/Spinning!!

Spinning and Birthday Celebration!!!

I'm attending my spinning group tonight. Look what I received for my birthday (August 22) from my daughters....a bag to carry my wheel. I was traveling to Rhode Island to celebrate my birthday with my daughters. My daughter , Amy, kept asking me if I thought I would arrive in time to visit her LYS. I assured her I would not spend too much time at Webs (is that possible?) and would have a nice lunch (and it was fantastic). I would arrive by 3:00 for the weekend.

Amy asked if I thought I could climb three flights of stairs with my bad leg as there is no elevator at this yarn shop. A yarn shop...wow, I would crawl up those stairs if I had to. Not a pretty site so I walked up.

The reason for the visit to the LYS was to buy me the bag. They are very, very expensive and I certainly did not expect it. I was absolutely delighted. Lucky me!!!

Like mother, like daugther! We both have Lendrums!

One of Amy's angora rabbits that is helping feed our fiber addiction. This little critter loves to be brushed.

Here I am enjoying lobster (a birthday treat to go with the homemade pecan pie and carrot birthday cake) with my oldest granchild, Joe. He has his mother's genes. Neither like lobster so they had salmon. Jakob, now 20 months old, enjoying his first lobster with my daughter, Emily!
Nick, Joe's brother and age 11, loves lobster!!! I'd say we had a feast!!!

This weekend is the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival. I am so excited to attend again this year. I'll post pics when, well when I get my spinning craving over with! Oh, yes...........Brian, a longtime blogging friend, is coming to visit and attend the show as well.

Happy Knitting!