Stash enhancements and New Socks

Last Saturday I went the LYS and checked out what she had left for her 1 day only Winter sale. I really didn't expect to find much as I arrived only 20 min before she was closing for the day. However I did manage to come home with 11 skeins of Classic Elite Skye Tweed in Dungeon which is charcoalish black tweed. Also I snagged one last skein (in this colorway) of Noro Big Kureyon in this amazing mix of colors. It looked so loney... I couldn't leave it behind!

Also sock progress.. or lack of it. I started another sock.. in some yarn I got from a swap in the Monkey pattern from Knitty. For once I'm actually knitting something that is currentish in the blog world. Imagine that. So far I have only accomplished one repeat but I think its looking cool.
I ran into a snag on my Columbine Peak socks... I had a moment of stupidness and instead of starting on row 7 of the chart (where I had left off the last time I touched it) I started at row 1... then after about 4 rows I wondered why all of a sudden it was looking strange. DUH! I figured it out and ripped back those rows but with the yarnovers and such I just couldn't seem to make it look right. I was only 1 1/2 repeats into the pattern anyway.. so I ripped all the way back to the ribbing and now I have to start it again. Maybe I should use lifelines on my socks! At least I hadn't gotten too far.. and what I did get done knit quick. So thats ready to start again. I definately learned something from that lesson.

Violet

I am a Violet What Flower Are You?

"You have a shy personality. You tend to hesitate before trying new things or meeting new people. But once people get to know you, you open up and show the world what you are really all about."

Secret Pal 10 Questionaire

Secret Pal 10 Questionaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mostly I knit with wool or any blend of wool and a natural fiber. I've knit a little with cotton. I'm not a fan of novelty yarns or 100% acrylics. I love hand dyed yarn. Self striping is ok too.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I use tall narrow basket for the straights. My circulars store in the Denise Case they came in.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting since 1997. I learned in a 3 session course at the Local Joann's Fabrics Store. I haven't learned yet how to do Fair Isle or Intarsia. I only stripe if I do multiple colors. I've done lots of differant stitch work. I have done any lace work but I do have yarn and patterns for it and look forward to starting something for Christmas this year. I would say maybe Advanced Beginner or borderline Intermediate because I havent done multi-color work.

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

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
I like woodsy, floral, food scents. Really most anything.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I like chocolate with or without nuts. Milk and Dark Chocolate. My favorite is chocolate and peanut together! I also love Jelly Belly Jellybeans.. any flavor and anything peppermint or spearmint flavored.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Other crafts I enjoy are cross stitch, embroidery of most kinds, sewing. I haven't learned to spin. I have thought about getting a drop spindle and try to learn. I've become a Do-it-yourselfer around the house. Woodworking and building and remodeling have taken up a lot of my spare time lately. I like to garden and cook as well.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My computer plays MP3's. I like country and classic rock mostly. But I will listen to others as well.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is Blue (any shade). I like darker or rainbow shades including woodsy tones too, greens and browns. Lately a lot of Brown and blue or pink combos have found their way to my stash.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am single, one cat and no kids.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
yes, I would wear a poncho, just havent knit one yet. I knit hats then never wear them. I love mittens and scarves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
things i can get a lot of wear out of, sweaters, vests. I seem to be knitting a lot of socks and mittens too. I also knit scarves because they are quick and easy.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I have a sock started from a Secret Pal 9 package. I started a new sweater as well.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes I love them.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I have the Denise circ. set and since I cant use my aluminum straights without my wrists getting sore. Guess I prefer circs. now. Except for my wood size 9 straights. They dont bother me. Bamboo are ok, but I think wood are better. I just started knitting my socks on circulars using either Addis Turbos or Knit Picks circs. I love socks on circs now.

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

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years at most, but its near done.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?
The question should read "Is there anything you DON'T collect?"... I collect stamps, postcards, tart burners, dishes of all kinds, baskets, antiques... all kinds of stuff.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits. I've never knit with Koigu or Wildfoote sock yarn.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I would like to learn Intarsia and Fair Isle.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes. I wear a size 8 womens med. width shoe and sock.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
February 19th

Did someone say SNOW!

Yesterday and last night was our turn (North East) to experience the snow that everyone else seems to have gotten already.... Here's what I woke up to this morning.


This is from my deck... I did shovel out the car on Wednesday.. can't tell that now.


This is before I ventured outside... my front steps... somewhere.. there was A LOT of drifting last night.. 4ft+ in some areas on my lawn...

I had to walk around to get my shovel on the back deck where I left it yesterday from shoveling out around the bird feeders... I couldn't open the back door it drifted up so high.

Berkley really really thought he wanted to go outside... well he went after I shoveled off the back deck a bit... but where he thought he was going I don't know...there was no way he was going to venture over those snow banks...
Now he's wishing he stayed inside.. the batteries in the camera died so I missed the shot of him turning around and heading into the door... thats as far he went... first step! Smart Cat.
Last night my butt stayed HOME! This is what I worked on in front of the tv.. my new sock .

Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Tahoe from my secret pal.. on size 1 circs's in the pattern "Columbine Peak" from the book "Socks Soar on Circular Needles".... cuff is getting there.. !

I Love Mom

Happy Valentines Day to my sweet boy Berkley!
(Kitty love is the best Love)

Finally something finished!

This weekend I finally finished the mate for a sock I started last year! Well it only took me less than two weeks to get the mate done this time. The second was done on my circ's. I was definately feeling the love for these from the beginning.... all the way to the end. Now I can't wait to get started on another pair.. of course after I finish my brothers boot socks.

Pattern Specs
Patons Kroy Sock in Vista Sea
Size 2 needle dbl's and circs. k2p2 rib

Of course even though I have other projects waiting for me in limbo.. it didn't stop me from starting another one. But I also frogged one too, so it evens out.