My amazing SP

OMG. Secret Pal 11 started a week ago. My pal has already outdone herself. Today I got the most amzing box full of goodies. It is very apparent that my SP did her homework and she really nailed my tastes! She sent me wonderful Crystal Palace bam boo navy sock yarn (navy is my favorite color!),lime green Tofutsies sock yarn, and a beautiful brown cotton sock yarn. But that's not all! Also inside were some great-smelling lavender items and THE CUTEST NEEDLES I EVER SAW! They are wooden needles with painted wooden balls on the end, in a cheerful orange (my other favorite color) pattern. The pictures don't do them justice (my crappy camera won't focus in on the detail). Nor does my description. But suffice it to say that they are awesome. I have been spoiled beyond belief. I have really wanted to try both the Crystal Palace and Tofutsies yarns, and the brown will make a beautiful pair of socks. I will look forward to casting on! I truly cannot thank you enough, SP!

Here are some pics:

F.O.'s and one WIP

Dishcloths may not seem like a big deal to you, but I finished one and feel like I really conquered a phobia. A year ago, when I first started knitting, I quickly grew tired of knitting and purling swatches just for practice. I tried several dishcloths, just to "make" something. The result was something that could easily be utilized for a rorschach test. They were square-ish, with indeterminable "pictures". I didn't really have trouble counting the k and p stitches, but I would end up with extra stitches or not enough stitches by the end of most rows. I would YO or drop a stitch inadverently, or my yarn would separate and I wouldn't realize that the splits were all one stitch, and I would knit each one.

I am doing the K1,T2 swap, and we are supposed to send our pals a handmade object. Being that the theme of the swap is tea, I thought I would try to make a tea-themed dishcloth. I've come a long way in the year I've been knitting. I think the finished product is pretty good this time!!! Can you tell what it is? Here's a photo:

Finally some pictures

I have been promising pictures of my socks... here they are! The green sock is Opal Hundertwasser, and those are the first pair I did. The blue, striped one is a cashmere blend, and is the softest stuff. And the sock in progress is anotherOpal Hundertwasser- this one is my favorite so far.

Swaps

I love swaps. You may think it is silly, but I get downright giddy about getting my matches. I love to learn about the person I am the pal to, and put together treats for that person. It's really like Christmas to me! I have had some email correspondence with both my upstream and downstream pals for SP11. Based on what my upstream pal has indicated to me, I think I won the upstream pal lottery!!! She told me a package is already in the mail to me, and she had to put quite a bit of effort and leverage into getting a couple of the items. I sent a little something to my pal already, too.

The Knit1 Tea2 matches should be coming out any day now. I'm dying to know what "color" my pal likes so that I can begin compiling things for her!

I started a new pair of socks over the weekend, and I'm about to turn the heel. I'm using another Opal Hundertwasser yarn, and it is GORGEOUS. I love their yarns so much. Between the amazing colors and the patterns, I really enjoy working with the yarn, and it is so much fun to watch the pattern emerge each time!

I also finished my July block for the block-of-the-month afghan, and I picked up the August block pattern and yarn. It was a productively knitty weekend!

In other news, I am very happy that we aren't going to get hammered by Hurricane Dean here in Houston. I'm sorry for the folks in Mexico that are in its path. But I have to tell you, there is a part of me that was really hoping for a couple of days off with nothing to do but knit! I'm sick, I know. By the way, do you think knitting counts as exercise? Hee hee hee!

Buttons!

I finally had someone explain how to add a button link to my blog in terms I could understand! Someone from one of the swaps I am participating in posted step-by-step directions, and it worked! I have tried many, many times to add the stupid things to my blog, but have always screwed it up somehow. Most recently, I got the button on to the blog, but couldn't get it linked to the page it was supposed to take you to. See, the way I figure it, html is a lot like math. And I don't like math. Therefore, I don't like html! Ha! Anyway, a zillion thanks to Devon for her instructions.

In other news, my husband and I met my friend Purl and her husband for a fabulous dinner on Friday night. We went to a place I have heard about for a long time-- it is called Shade, and it was fantastic. We had a lot of fun. Our husbands really enjoyed one another's company, and I suspect that we will have lots of fun times together in the future. The only hiccup came when Purl's husband commented to my husband about how expensive yarn is, and how my husband better keep a close eye on me. I had to shush him. :-) hee hee hee. It was all in good fun.

I am just about to finish the first sock of pair number 2. Then my plan is to go back to the second sock of pair 1 and see if I can get through it this time. Pics soon....

The cursed sock

I really hope that every pair of socks won't be as cursed as my first pair. I posted about how I frogged the second sock for the 4th or 5th time on Sunday. Well, the night before last, I was happily knitting away on the re-started version, when once again, I lost several stitches. Maybe the two glasses of wine that I drank had something to do with it. At any rate, I had to rip the whole thing out again. I was really determined to finish the second sock before I start my next pair. But at this point, I think that sock needs a time out before I can try it again.

I wanted to make some real progress on the new pair (I have, in fact, moved on!) last night, but another couple invited us to meet them at a wonderful restaurant called Gravitas. What ensued was nothing short of glutony!! We sampled at least half of the menu, and had a lot of wine. It was fantastic. Suffice it to say, no knitting got done.

The second pair of socks is being done with the JoJoLand cashmere blend. It's gorgeous stuff. The sock is turning out to be a narrow band of stripes, and it's quite pretty.

Knit One, Tea Too Swap Questionnaire

Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?

I like both, but if a tea comes in both forms, I usually get the bag.

What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?

I love the Numi flowering teas and just about anything from Republic of Tea, especially their fruit flavored teas (I really enjoy fruit-flavored tea in general, as long as it isn't an artificial flavoring). I also drink a lot of jasmine tea.

Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white)
(keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).

I really like black and green teas. Haven't tried red or white, but would love to try both!

Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?

Both, depending on the time I have and on my mood. I collect teapots, and really like to use them if I have time to boil water, let it steep, and enjoy my tea!

What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?

I don't really have any tea accessories, so the landscape is wide open!

How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).

There is nothing like a good bubble bath. They are one of my favorite ways to pamper myself!

If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?

Something soft and natural-- bamboo, cashmere, even a nice cotton. Because I like to look natural and wouldn't want to be fuzzy!!

If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?

Baby booties. I love to knit baby items. Plus I wouldn't want to knit with fur. Synthetic yarns make me crazy. And I don't know how to do fair isle yet, and I fear it would be a little beyond my abilities at this point.

What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)

A big event for one of my kiddos, but that is just about it! Maybe a cooking class, if it were interesting enough.

What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)

Scones and cucumber sandwiches. And flowers on the table.

When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?

I hardly ever use what is called for. I almost always pick something I want to use.

What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?

A Lantern Moon palm leaf tote.

Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?

Any romantic comedy. The Devil Wears Prada is a recent fave.

Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?

I love porcelain tea cups, and think it's actually better if they don't match!

Favorite childhood birthday party?

One where my parents took my friends and I to see Herbie the Love Bug, then I got to have my friends sleep over and we had a pizza party. I realize that I am dating myself here!

Favorite type of scone and jam?

Raspberry or plain scones, or cranberry if they don't also contain orange (a lot of times people use orange if they use cranberry). I really enjoy raspberry jam.

If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?

Lavender.

You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)?

If have my druthers, I would go somewhat casual, in a nice comfy sundress or slacks with a sweater.

Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?

No allergies, but I have a near-phobia of synthetic fibers!!!

Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?

I am obsessed with all things Chinese!

Weekend revisited

I had the most fun girls night on Friday night. Purl and I went to a wonderful wine bar and had some nice wine, great food, and great talk! Poor Purl may be walking around with only one ear now, as I think I talked the other one right off! When she did get a word in edge-wise, Purl told me about the SeaSocks cruise, which goes from Seattle to ALASKA and B.C. in May. I would love to go. It sounds like an amazing trip, and I have always wanted to see Alaska. I am going to stew about it for a while and see if I can't come up with a way to make it work!!

On Sunday morning, I eagerly picked up my second sock and got ready to finish it. I was decreasing for the toe, and was down to 14 stitches on each needle when I dropped 4 or 5 stitches. Before I could fix things, 2 of them laddered really far and got through the heel. I pretty much called it a lost cause and frogged the sock. That was agonizing. I cast on again, and am ready to turn the heel. This is attempt number 4 on the cursed sock. I hope this one ends peacefully and successfully!

I am really ready to start my second pair. I have enough sock yarn to make socks for a medium-sized village. I thought I had settled on a skein to use for pair #2. It's a beautiful cashmere blend from JoJoLand. The colors are gorgeous, and it feels fantastic. But then Purl gave me an exquisite skein of hand dyed sock yarn on Friday night, for my birthday. I need to take a picture of it, but it is orange (my fave!) with pink going through it. It is appropriately called "grapefruit". So now I am torn. Maybe it is a good thing that I had to frog the sock-- it gives me another day or two to make up my mind about what to start with next!

SP 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Opal sock yarns are my current favorite-- the colors are so rich and it is loads of fun to watch the patterns emerge! Otherwise, I love natural fibers. Silks, bamboo, cotton, nice wools. I can't stand acrylics.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My SP 10 pal sent me the most amazing needle box-- personalized and just perfect! I also have a Namaste needle binder that my husband and kids gave me for mothers' day. Between the two, I am fairly organized for a change!

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for approx. one year. A very dear woman who has been knitting for 60+ years spent an afternoon teaching me to knit and purl. From there, I have taught myself a lot from books and the internet, and from classes at my LYS. I would consider myself an early intermediate or late beginner.


4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes. Here it is.

5. What's your favorite scent?

Lavender

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Sometimes. I like dark chocolate and fruity things.


7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Some digital scrapbooking, but that's about it.


8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like rock and pop, and can play anything.


9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favorites are navy, orange and bright greens. I also like chocolate brown. Don't really like purple, but it's okay in small doses.


10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have a wonderful husband of 15 years, a son and a daughter. Also a cat and a crazy Shih Tzu dog.


11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I sometimes wear scarves as an accessory in the winter, but we don't have much real need for these items in Houston!


12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I'm a newbie to socks, and I really enjoy knitting them!


13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks, a blanket, and a Chinese-style jacket for my daughter.


14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Definitely!


15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Straight and circs both have their moments. I have some Lantern Moon rosewood straights that I love. But mostly I seem to use Addi circs. And for socks, it's 2 circs or nothing. I can't stand dpns.


16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I don't have either, but as I am getting more experience, I find myself needing both!


17. How old is your oldest UFO?

6 months


18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas!! I love gifting, and there is nothing better than watching the kids on Christmas morning. Getting presents myself isn't bad either!


19. Is there anything that you collect?

Teapots and Baccarat crystal animal figurines.


20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

There is a Knitting Pure and Simple "Classic Drop Shoulder Pullover" that I would really like to try for the winter. It would be my first sweater, but seems like it might be do-able. I like the K P & S patterns a lot, as they are pretty straightforward and don't involve a lot of seaming. (I can't sew to save my life!)

The only magazine I have a subscription to is Interweave Knits.


21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I would love to learn cables and color working of some sort.


22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Oh yes! My foot is 9.5" long at 4.5 across. I confess I don't know how to properly state the measurements yet.


23. When is your birthday?

July 22.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes-- cinben

misc.

I finished my first sock. But we had company (my mother-in-law) in town, sleeping in the room with the computer, so I haven't had a chance to upload a photo yet. I'm half-way through the second one, and have my final sock class on Thursday night. We'll turn the heel one more time, and hopefully it will stick! In retrospect, I understand what we did on the first one, but I'm not entirely sure I could do it again on my own. I'm glad to have the chance to do it with guidance one more time. I will post pictures, I promise. I absolutely LOVE the yarn that I have used. It's an Opal cotton yarn, and not only do I love the colorway, but I think the patterning is really nice as well. You have to see it. Pics soon!

I haven't blogged much in the past week or two, but I've been up to all kinds of knitting mischief. I bought several books from the KnitPicks summer book sale: Mason Dixon Knitting; Last Minute Knitted Gifts ; More Sensational Knitted Socks; and When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters. I'm really excited to receive all of them. the sock book looks great because it has instructions/patterns for 2 circs and dpn's. I have had a hard time finding a collection of sock patterns written for 2 circs. And call me stupid, but I don't know how to translate dpn patterns to 2 circs.

Otherwise, I've been planning my next project. My dear friend Purl is going to help me do a Christmas stocking for my kiddos. My Nana knit stockings for my brother and I when we were very young, and I still use mine. It means the world to me. I would love to make them for my kids to have for their lifetimes. I was actually going to take a class at my LYS. But the owner, who I have come to know, called to tell me that she really doesn't think I need the class since I'm taking the sock class. I was really impressed with that phone call. It just goes to show you what an amazing place the Hen House is-- Stephanie really takes care of her customers. I appreciate that she doesn't just want to take my money! And I really appreciate my friend Purl for offering to help me through color changes and a stocking pattern.

SP 11 gets underway soon. I'm looking forward to participating again. I hope my spoilee doesn't end up quitting this time though!

What a guy!!!

I love my husband. We've been married for almost 15 years, dated for 3 years before that, and met 3 years before we started dating. He has been SO supportive of my knitting craze, admiring even my most horrendous work, trying to understand the constant skeins of yarn that enter the h0use, and generally being happy that knitting makes me so happy. This was my first birthday since I began knitting. As one of my gifts, my wonderful husband gave me some sock yarn. He went to one of the LYS's and sought help, and selected one. I am so incredibly touched that he did that. And more than a little dumbfounded. He told me that he wanted me to knit some socks for myself, as everything I knit is for others, and he knows how much I love socks. He is the best. I am so very, very, very lucky to have him!!! So, here is the lovely yarn he picked out all by himself! Imagine, a Texas man in a yarn store all by himself!!!!! This skein does have my favorite colors, for sure!-- orange and bright, lime green!!

It's done-- a F.O.!!!

I have a finished object. Maybe Friday the 13th isn't so bad after all! I finsihed up the dress for my daughter. It was a real leraning experience. My first garment ever and first real dealing with increases. There are some definite things I wish I could fix, but my daughter is so excited about the dress that it's hard to be too hard on myself. I've already bought yarn to make another one-- hopefully that one will yield a better finished product because I'll know more what I need to be doing. Here are a couple of pictures of my daughter in her dress. She'll probably wear it with a tank top under it, but right now I can't get her to take it off to put a tank top on!

Stop me before I shop again!

I finally got a chance to break free from the office early and make the trek to my side of town in time to hit the LYS that carries the yarn I need for my daugher's dress. My son's day camp ended at 3pm today, and I had to pick him up. I've had one of those horrible, moody, grumpy days where nothing goes right, so I decided that I would just do some work from home after picking him up, rather than hauling him to my office. I have about one inch to go on the dress, and just needed one skein, and they had ONE skein left. That was truly the first break that I have gotten today. Here it is:

But could I stop there, with just one skein? Oh no. Of course not. I also bought two skeins of Art Yarns Super Merino, in bright greens and aquas, and two skeins of Clown sock yarn, in orange and red. Then I got to the register, and there was a Yarn Harlot book that I don't have... so I picked that up, too. In skimming through it, I noticed there is a list of "5 ways to leave the yarn shop without buying anything"... I OBVIOUSLY need to do some serious studying of that list!

Knitting... what else?

I have knitting on the brain today. I do 15 minutes of work, then turn back to knitting issues. So far today, I've signed up for 2 more classes (one on how to fix mistakes, the other a Christmas stocking class), tried to buy the final skein of yarn that I wasn't supposed to need but DO need to finish my daughter's sundress, talked about going to the Stitch and Pitch event at a Houston Astros game in August and bought three books from the Interweave Press "Hurt Book" sale ,... Thanks to my great friend Purl for turning me on to the book sale and for sharing my obsession with all things "knit"!!!

I'm almost done with the sundress. I only have about an inch to go, but I am out of yarn. How does that happen? The pattern called for just over 2 skeins of the yarn that I am using. I bought three, just to have some breathing room. I STILL RAN OUT! Does this ever happen to you? I truly can't figure out why and/or how I ran out. Oy vey. Unfortunately, the only mortar and bricks yarn store that I know of that carries the Queensland Soft Wave yarn that I am using is on the other side of town and closes too early for me to get there during the week. So I have to wait for the weekend to get the last bit of yarn I need and finish up the dress. Woe is me.

The Yarn Harlot is coming to Houston in September, and one of my local yarn stores is hosting her visit. That should be fun, and I will definitely look forward to it!! Okay, my 15 minutes of talking about knitting are up! Better go do more work... [sigh]

SP 10 package to end all packages!

I am speechless. Those who know me can tell you what a rarity that is! I recieved my final SP 10 package today. My pal Helen http://helenknits.blogspot.com/ really, really, really spoiled me. In the package she included not only beautiful, thoughtful, handmade things for me, but also treats for my two children. My daughter got to open her present, and is sitting here next to me reading the wonderful book Helen sent her as I type.

My son is at a sleep-over at a friend's house, and thus isn't here to unwrap his. But boy will he be surprised to have been included.

Helen has a company that makes toys. She made me a wooden needle box. It is beautiful, and even has my name on it. How special is that?! Isn't it wonderful? Look at the needles on the top!

Helen also sent me some of hand-dyed yarn. It came from the Knittery, http://theknittery.com.au/

Also in the package were some lovely stitch markers, yummy chocolates, and my absolute favorite scent on earth-- LAVENDER! I recieved some lavender soap and lotion from Australian lavender fields. It smells heavenly.

I am positively giddy with excitement over this package. I simply cannot believe that someone (Helen), that I didn't previously know, and who lives literally on the other side of the world (in Australia) made these things for me. How lucky am I!?

I couldn't get my crummy camera and/or my lame picture-taking skills to get a photo of the yarn that does it justice. I will try again soon when I don't have a big dinner to cook and company on the way. I will certainly be making my second pair of socks out of this equisite yarn.

A million thank yous to Helen. I've had a lot of fun with this exchange!!!

It IS a small world (after all)

I belong to a Yahoo group for knitters in Houston. A week or so ago, I saw a message from someone that caught my attention. I thought maybe the poster was an attorney (like me) and so I sent an email introducing myself. Turns out, she is. We got to exchanging info, and we seem to have far more in common than just knitting and being attorneys. Our offices are on the same tiny street (which is well off the typical law office path), our husbands have the same name, we both had different careers before lawschool and all kinds of other weird things. (Insert warm fuzzies here) It's really neat to have such a serendipitous thing happen. So, thank you, vast knitting world, for hooking us up! I'm not sure our husbands will thank you though, when we hit the LYS together. Oops. We just won't tell, will we, L? :-)

Socks-- I've seen the light!

I feel like I have made some marvelous discovery. It's called socks on two circular needles. You're reading this, thinking "duh"!!! But it's truly the greatest thing since sliced bread to me. Ever since I was in high school, I've had a major "thing" for socks. Seriously. I have a couple of pair that, for one reason or another, I refuse to wear. I love them too much to put on my feet. So I just look at them in my sock drawer. It's a sickness. It's also part of the "two a dems" syndrome that I have... where I have to have TWO of an item so that one can be used, while the other is saved in pristine condition. In keeping with the two-a-dem theory, I have several pairs of socks that I have doubles of... one pair worn and the other not. Now you know I'm completely nuts.

Anyway, when I began knitting, I really thought that socks would be my knitting love. Imagine-- a complete sock freak being able to make her own socks. That is, until I took a class on dpns. Then I thought that anyone that ever knitted socks was either massively skilled, completely daft, or both! Dpn's just aren't for me. Someone finally clued me in to the fact that socks can be done on circs instead. So I started a four-part class last week at my LYS. And like a bolt of lightening, I GET IT! And more importantly, I LOVE IT!!! God help my wallet, my stash piles, and my family.... I feel a lot of socks and yarn coming your way!!!

I have joined a sock club already. It doesn't begin until the fall, but it sounds like fun. It is a four-installment deal, so it won't be overwhelming for a first time club doer, I think. I've communicated with the lady who is running the shop/club, and she is a delight. I'm quite excited about it! Here is the link: http://www.woolgirl.com/

Okay, enough of me blathering on about socks. Have a great day!

Cindy

New project (not a blanket!!)

My local yarn store has the cutest display of sundresses. Several of the women who work there, along with a few regular customers, each did their own version of the Knitting Pure and Simple sundress pattern. They are hanging in the kids' yarn section of the store on a clothes line... it is so adorable. Everyone picked a different yarn, and some made their own customization to the pattern. I was inspired enough to buy the pattern and yarn and attempt it on my own. Here is a link to a picture from their website of the dresses hanging on the line:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/planetjanet/sets/72157600006550320/show/

I started on it last night. Will update as I make progress!

Nothing new

This morning a friend of mine asked me if I had been knitting. She said she had been checking my blog and hadn't seen any new posts for a couple of weeks. Oops. Sorry!!! I have been knitting a little, but nothing much new or exciting to report. I have gotten a little further on my son's blanket, but that is really about it. His blanket is based on a pattern from Knit Simple magazine. Here's a picture from the magazine of the blanket-

It is done in seed stitch, with cotton yarn. I'm using different colors of his choosing (blues, red, orange...) It is going to take a very long time to finish. Good thing I'm making it big... he's 9 now, but might be 19 by the time it's done!

In other news, my SP10 spoilee had to drop out of the exchange. I'm very sad. I understand entirely, as she is facing some difficult family issues. But I was having so much fun putting together things for her. Selfish, I know.

You know, it's amazing the power that yarn has over me. I feel really, really crummy. I've been congested and coughing like a fool for weeks, so much so that my ribs feel like they are broken. At lunch today, I went to a yarn shop by my office. I wondered around, played with the yarns, looked at some patterns, talked to the shop owner and came out so much happier than when I went in!!! It truly is like being a kid in a candy sotre. "I want some!" is all I can think. :-)

One blanket down... countless more to go!!!

Don't look now, but I actually finished a blanket. This one is my daughter's. She picked the colors, I picked the stitch patterns that were used for each color (each color is done in a different stitch). This was a true learning experience. The light pink seed stitch squares were the first things I ever knitted. You can tell when you look at them-- they are a mess!! I thought about re-doing them, but in the end, I decided to leave it alone. It might not be perfect, but I will never feel like it is, and my daughter might appreciate that she has the first things I ever knit in her blanket... but then again, she might wonder why I made such a mess!!! I got all 24 squares sewed together and did the border, then my daughter couldn't wait another minute and wanted the blanket. I plan to put a backing on it, and perhaps put buttons on the corners of each square, both for decorative purposes and to hold the backing (so it doesn't sag in the center). Anyway, here are some pics: