Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Brian and I stayed home and had some friends over. We watched movies and eat all day long. The one cool thing was IT SNOWED! Ok it didn't stay around the minute it hit the ground it was gone, but I got to see snow on Christmas.

Ok Bev and Tammy here is a picture of me with my hat on. Brian had to join the picture so we both have our hats on. One thing I found out about Brian's hat it kind-of goes up into a point at the top. I must of pulled the yarn a little to tight. Oh well now I know what to do with my hat.

I received my package from Wool Girl with new yarn on Christmas Eve a Christmas present to me. I just forgot to take pictures of them. I got the Seahawks team color from Hazel Knits. That is already in queue to be knitted up. I don't have to have the pair done until September, but if I start now then I know I will have them done in time. I also bought some Mama Llama bamboo sock in Night. It is so soft.

I know I said that I would not start another pair of socks until after the first of the year. I lied. I did not want to start another hat and I just received my package from Sunshine yarns and Snape was there and it was calling my name. At first I cast on one pattern and it didn't show up very well so on to the next. I cast on for the Sedona from Lisa Dykstra from http://ayenforyarn.blogspot.com/. So far it is turning out ok. I made one mistake but I didn't frog it I just keep going .

new items

Yesterday I received my packages from Sunshine Yarn. She had an update on the 18th at 0800 est and I was on the computer refreshing and refreshing until she put the new yarn on her etsy site. I bought two skeins of yarn the main one that I wanted was Snape. She only had two skeins so I wanted to make sure I was one of the lucky ones to get one and I was. The other skein that I bought was Welsh Green Dragon. I love that she has colour ways after the Harry Potter books.

I just casted on Snape. I'm doing the pattern Rhodie Gus Sock. The pattern can be found at http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/rhodie.pdf. I know I wasn't going to start another pair of socks until the new year, I just could not wait for another week. I just finished Brian's hat. I think it turned out ok. Brian put it on and wore it around the house and when we went to the grocery store he wore it and showed it off. It is a little pointy at the top. Other than that I think I did ok. My hands hurt now they are a tad stiff.

Packages

My mail box was full today. I had 3 Packages waiting for me when I got home. First was my Dec Booty Club (the last one) sock yarn. The second one was my order from Knit Picks so I can start working on our hats and the last one was my sock blockers from Chappy.

I was waiting and waiting for my third package that I went on and started working on a different project. I went and finished some fingerless gloves. The Pattern I used was called Fetching by Cheryl Niamath. I used Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino which is 55% merino wool, 33% microfibre and 12% cashmere. I don't know what they call the color of this yarn sorry. I made one just a little longer then the other. That is what you get when you are watching TV and getting into the show.

Now that these are done I'm going to start working on a hat for Brian. I will keep you updated on my progress. I did a rough count on how may socks I knitted this year only 10 pairs and 3 Dobby socks. I thought I had knitted more, I will just have to do better next year.

New Year Day socks done

I must of had nothing but time to do nothing but knit. I started the sock on 12/14 and I finished the sock today even the toe. Now I can work other projects until the first of the year. I don't think I can finished another pair before the fist of the year. Vacation is almost over and a wonderful head cold started to come on, on Saturday and I think it is finally here to stay awhile. Right now I'm having a problem breathing.

9-5

I finished them yesterday morning. Brian and I stayed home for the first time on this vacation. The only time we left is when we went out to eat. I guess I need to go to the grocery store to buy some food.

I think the main reason that I was able to get it done was Brian and I went to Bellingham to visit his parents to an early Christmas on Wednesday. Then on Thursday I met Bev at Apple Yarns. We sat in there and knitted for about 4 hours. It was great just sitting, knitting, talking, and people watching. We both received many complements on our socks that we were working on.

I did do some shopping while I was there. I bought some yarn for the hats that I will be working on. Brian asked for me to knit him a hat so I went looking for a pattern and I found one. Its called the "Fake Isle Hat" is design by Amy King. I like the pattern that I bought yarn for me too. I went for bright color and from Brian's his is going to be more on the darker side. Now I have to wait for the order from Knit Picks to come for the needles. Yah !!!

I've started working on New Years Day sock #2. So off I go to get it finished before the new year.

Update on 9-5 sock

9-5 sock was coming along until I hit a speed bump. Brian and I are on Vacation together and that mean I don't get too much time to knit. Today we started work on our guest bedroom / my craft room. I am going through some of my old hobbies getting rid of stuff to make more room for new hobbies. Yah right lets face it make room to hide sock yarn from Brian. We went and looked at cabinets and paint from my room. I saw a coco butter color that I like. I want a very soft color in there. He wants to get the room done with in a week. I don't think that will happen, he wouldn't be able to stay home and keep working on it. He will want to go out and look at different stores to shop.

Also another thing that is keeping me from knitting is I got my invite to Ravelry. For those who don't know what it is. Its a majorly cool website for knitters. I love looking through all the different patterns for socks. I already have found one that I want to do next. I also received patterns from Bev and I found some in there. We just have to see how many of them I can do in 2008. So stay tune and lets see how many I can knit next year.

My hat

I finished my sock oops I mean my hat on Saturday at work. It took me two tries to get it done. There is one round that I hate. You've got to slip every other stitch to the cable and you have to remember if its in the front or the back. I would like to try it one more time. The yarn that I used was Rowan wool cotton in Tender. It is 50% merino wool and 50% cotton. It only took one ball of yarn and I bought two oh well.

I didn't get to try it out in the snow. I was working and by the time I was off it was more rain then snow. At work we were having a Fantasy Holiday. We had about 20 children that were either taken away or their parents were taken way from them. We gave them new coats, hats, and mittens. They were able to go onto a Boeing 757 tour the plane and sit in the cockpit. They all had a real good time. So when they were out on the plane, I sat at my desk and finished my hat.

Yesterday I started working on 9-5 sock #2.

Its Done

I finished the New Year's Day sock yesterday. I can't believe that I finished it only in 11 days. That is fast for me. The sock pattern was easy to knit. It was an easy 10 row repeat. Before I knew it I was at the heel and then I was on the foot. Now I have to start a new sock or try again the hat. I may work on the sock at work and the hat here at home. That is if I get the chance to work on it at work.

Went Shopping

It Finally came. I ordered from Socks that Rock back when I was on vacation earlier this month and it showed up on Saturday. Plus on Friday my Nov's Booty Club yarn came too. But the best part about this week is that I went up to see the In-Laws and I found a yarn store that is in walking distance (that is if I ever want to walk that far). The store was called Apple Yarn and they have Jitterbug and I had to buy, it was calling for me to take it home. The one with out the label is the Jitterbug I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the yarn.

Brian was in the mood yesterday to decorate for Christmas. Like us we don't have a Christmas tree so we went out and bought one. I wanted a Fiber Optic so we would not have to decorate it. So off to the mall we went. First to Sears nothing, then to Target. There was one we liked it wasn't a fiber optic but it looked nice. So then we decided to go to Walmart to see what they had and that is were we found it. So off to home we went to set it up. It looks pretty cool when the lights are off. Sorry the pic is dark, I will try later to get a better one mabye once there is presents under the tree.

I finished the 9 to 5 sock also when I was on vacation and started the New Year's Day sock in Socks that Rock Downpour. It has been knitting up fast. When I've actually worked on it . I was trying to knit the hat but I have had to frog it twice. The first time I was working the first round after the ribbing and that row is had you are slipping every other stitch to the cable needle and holding it either the front or the back. You got to actually think when you are doing it and not sit it down. Both times its been that row I've made mistakes.

Mavrick has been enjoying this time of year. We turn on the fire place more and he loves to sit in front of it for hours . Snowball would sit there to, but most times you would find her on my lap that is if the laptop is not sitting here first. I really think she hate the the laptop. It takes away from her time on my lap. I have the foot rest up and now she has taken to sitting on my legs. Oh well. Off to knit.

Magic Loop

I finished my first Magic Loop Sock the other day. Yesterday I started working on the second sock to see if I remembered how to do all the steps before the last class on Saturday. This sock has gone together a lot easier than the first. I can't believe that I was intimidated by the magic loop. I can understand why we used worsted weight sock yarn, it knits up fast.

I've been also working on some baby booties. I first saw them on Yarn Pirates blog. I went to the book store looking Last-Minute Knitted gifts and they did not have it. So I went home and logged on to Amazon.com and bought the book. Then on Saturday before class I bought some Lorna's Lace Angel (70% Angora 30% ) in Yellowstone. This is another pattern that knits up fast.

I also found this pattern that I want to work on. It is out of Interweave Knit Holiday Gifts issue. The pattern is called Koolhaas Hats. It calls for 100% Yak yarn. I don't think so. There is no way Yak yarn is going on my head and I'm not going to buy it either. The good this is the yarn store recommended Rowan Wool Cotton in tender. They said that it should show off the cable in the design. The gauge is smaller then the yak yarn but all they said to do is to knit down. I have to first finish the magic loop sock so I can start working on the hat. My wish list is growing and growing. It has been nice having a vacation that I'm not going any where. I can stay home or go some where and also I can just sit on the coach watch movies and knit.

TGIF

I finished my home work this afternoon. I can' t wait until tomorrow until class.We will be working or I should say we will be learning to do the gusset. I really want to try and do it on my own but I think I just might wait. I thinking about doing another pair in worsted weight, but the only thing different is not do the toe. That way I can paint my toes this winter but keep my feet warm.

I haven't be working on my 9 to 5 socks, but I have been working on Brian's sock #2. I'm almost done with it. It is getting real close to the toe so I treated myself this morning. Maybe I was a little weak, I did wake up at 0245 today. So I went to Socks that Rock and bought 4 skeins of yarn. I bought the Grinch which is now in my header. I can't wait until they come. I need to hurry and knit up the socks that are on my needles.

I also started getting my candles ready for Thanksgiving season. I made two pumpkin pies and one honeydew for a friend that loves the smell. On Monday I will be making more with the new scents that I bought in Iowa. Banana Nut Bread. At work right now I have Hot Butter Rum. That smells soooo good. It helps me to relax. Gotta go and work on Brian,s sock more, I've gotta have it done before the new sock yarn shows up or I'm in trouble!

Home work

I started my knitting class yesterday at Renaissance Yarns on the Magic Loop Socks. I was scared at first not sure I would be able to do it. Basically all you've got to do is slide the back needle out to work on the front. In the begining the stitches would not stay where they need to be, but the longer it got it started to staying in place. Then it got easier I was happy that I got it. I was able to get 2 1/2" done in class. At the end of the 2 hour class she gave us home work to do and have it done by next Saturday's class. We've got to knit the heel flap and do the turn heel. I've started today working on the heel flap. You've got to do 6 set of a 4 repeat. It is a different heel flap then what I am use to knitting on my socks. Its not the straight K1, Sl1 and purl the next row. I'm looking forward to next weeks class where we are going to learn to do the gusset and I that has me a little scared.

Well I got back from Iowa on Friday. I did all my normal things like the candle store and playing bingo. I got some new scents but right now I can't think of what I bought. The only one coming to mind is Banana Nut Bread and I think some kind of berry smell. I also got to have Halloween with Jo. She was a cheerleader and I just showed my other side.

In Iowa

Sorry no pictures on my socks. Right now I'm visiting my sisters in Iowa. I didn't bring Brian's sock with me, but before I got on the plane I was doing the gusset and half way done with that. I brought with me two different yarns and two different patterns to work on.

I started one called waving lace. I did the cuff and started working on the first set of waves. The cuff turned out great but the leg part I don't think I was doing it right. So I went on to the next. On this one its called 9 to 5. All I've gotten don is the cast on and two rounds. It's kind of hard to get knitting done here. We are either on the go or Kirsten Jo is around and I don't dare to knit with her here.

Here is a picture of Jo

Birthday Gift

Brian and I made it up to Sumas for Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner. The best part about it besides the food was my birthday gift from Bev. She knitted me a pair of socks. Plus I got to pick

out of her stash which I choose Mama Llama Bamboo in Caves & Crystals and also DPNs from Knit Picks. I also got a bunch patterns.

I took the socks to work to show them off and I was asked to model them which I had no problem doing. I couldn't take them off they felt so good on the feet. My feet were warm all day long. When I got home had to take pictures of them to post so when I put them down Snowball just started rolling around in them.

I signed up for the Magic Loop Knitting Class today. I was the only one that has signed up and they need 3 people before they cancel it. So I hope between now and Novembe 3 people sign up.

Update on Brian's sock. Right now I am almost to the heel. This sock is moving fast. The only problem is that I am on the morning shift and I have a hard time coming home and knitting. I have other things that need to get done. There is a lot I need to do before 24Nov when I leave to go see Deb. Here is my socks that Bev made for me.

Yarn Pirate

I received my October Yarn Pirate Booty. I like the color, I'm not sure what I will make with it but I will think of something. It also came with circular needles 24'' size 1 and 2.

I'm also going to try to get into a knitting class. The magic loop. This would be cool, that means knitting faster socks. Brian made one condition. I have to knit him a pair of socks before I buy any more yarn or take any more classes. So what am I going to start now Brian's sock. At least I have one already done. Now I just have to start #2. The yarn is thinker than most sock. But it is just straight knit round and round.

I finished Shelia's sock last night at work. It only took me 18 days to do it. Then again I didn't work on it for almost a week. That is because of the wonderful head cold Brian gave me for my birthday. Now she is going to have to wait until Christmas or birthday.

Keep those fingers knitting those socks.

I love my Husband

Brian is so cool. I left my laptop at home so he could hook up the little printer, so I can add pictures. I did not not know that we had a cord to the camera to down load the pics. So last night he set it all up for me. I am so happy. Now I just have to figure out how to set up my blog on how I want it.

I received a email from Yarn Pirate that I will be getting my 1st shipment for this round is getting sent out today. So I hope to get it on Thursday. Then Bev and I can talk about it. I can't wait to see what she has bought.

I got the heel turn and the gusset done yesterday on Shelia #2. So now its on tho the foot.

This is Shelia sock #1. I hope she likes them. Kelley told me the colors to use. I thought she said bright yellow. But Kelley said her favorite color is purple. We will have to wait and see.

That is all for know until then keep knitting those socks.

Upset

I can't seem to get anything to work. I can't find the software to make the Dazzler to work with Vista, I can't find the cord that would go from the little printer to the laptop, and Brian's jump drive I can't seem to get my pictures to go on it and then put them on the laptop. Maybe the only thing to do is to buy a new camera so I can get my pics on my laptop.

On to my knitting. I got done yesterday the heel turn and now I'm on the gusset. Yeah that means that I'm half way done. I didn't get any knitting done on Saturday, I tried to get my work done and Brian stop by and keep me company for a while. Then yesterday I was able to do some knitting. We will see how much we get done today

Brand New

This is all new to me but I thought I would give this a try. Brian gave me this laptop for my birthday present, so now it is easier to get online and watch tv all at once.

I've just getting over my cold so I haven't been knitting very much. I'm still working on Shelia #2 sock. I'm about to start working on the heel. So I hope it wouldn't take me much longer to work on it. I have the night shift this week so I hope to be able to work on it a lot, depending on what they have waiting for me there.

The next sock I hope to work on is Brian's sock. I still have to find a pattern that I like and also works well with the yarn that I bought. Right now I have a gray and black variegated yarn. After that I'm not sure what I want to knit. I was thinking about doing a hat. I quess only time will tell.

I needed to get the dazzler set up so I will be able to down load pics to the computer so I can show off the sock that I am working on. That is it for now until then keep your hands busy knitting those socks