Obsessed knitting geek, mother, and science teacher - not necessarily in that order

Friday, October 26, 2007

Squeee - another secret pal package!!

A sock kit from Robyn's Nest! The "Fall Fire" colorway is exactly something I would have picked out for myself, and the Robyn's nest signature colorway is totally not something I would have picked out BUT I love it for exactly that reason. It is so fun and colorful - makes me think of bubblegum :) When they become socks I will call them my bubblegum socks. This is part of why I love swaps - I get stuff that I normally would never even consider for myself and I love it!
A close up of a the lovely dangle-free stitch markers that came with the kit. A very nice package indeed - I may have to look into this sock club...hmmmm...;)
And finally a picture of my finished, felted clogs. The peace fleece felts up quite hairy but I think a nice shave will leave them with just a fine halo. I really like the shape and texture I got with these. I will be giving these to my FIL this weekend for his birthday. I will be trying another pair next for my mom for Christmas - this time with some Paton's classic merino.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

More yummy yarny mail!

So I needed to order some suede slipper bottoms to put on my felted clogs. Since I got them from knitpicks, of course, I had to make the cost of shipping worth my while - sooooo I also picked up a couple of skeins of Gloss in pumpkin (very nice and beautiful sheen) as well as a book I have been wanting.

Was tempted to add some of the new Harmony needles - especially a couple of ones for magic looping socks - but resisted - maybe something to put on my Christmas list.

Meanwhile, I plan to felt my clogs tonight and hopefully sew on those bottoms by the weekend when they need to be gifted.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

One down, one to go

One of my trekking socks (unblocked and slouchy looking) is done. My first self-striping stockinette sock. Really cute - I like this yarn. Now I have to get the Branching Out scarf done before I can work on the next sock.
Also picked this up yesterday. Love the Sugarplum Shrug and some of the kids knitted items (I think the teddy bear is one of the cutest I have ever seen). But I especially love the section on gifts for knitters - some really cool stuff there!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Some sock yarn indulgence

Red Bird Knits is having a free shipping promotion for October so I had to pick up some of their sale sock yarn. I must say I am thrilled by the Lana Grossa - the colors in person are exactly what I expected from what I saw on the screen - which is not always the case.

I also got the Knitting Pure and Simple baby cardigan pattern. I saw on someone else's blog they had knit this pattern with many different yarns. It seems like a good basic and versatile pattern to use for baby gifts. It is knit in the round with minimal seaming so that makes me happy.

I also cast-on a pair of socks - my first plain stockinette pair - out of that Trekking. Love the colorway, love the stitch definition of this yarn. I could never understand why before anyone would knit boring stockinette socks - but in this last two weeks when all hell has broken loose with childcare issues - I have found this sock to be highly therapeutic.

The fibertrends felted clogs are all seamed up and just waiting to be felted. And I need to finish up my Branching Out scarf ASAP - but my sock calls to me...

Monday, October 8, 2007

Turkey and giving thanks...

for time to knit.

This long weekend has allowed me to indulge in some tasty yummies and some knitting relaxation. I was able to finish up my hat and get some seaming done on my felted clogs.
As you can see, pre-felting they look a lot like giant smurf feet.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Okay, a long awaited update...

Some small progress on my hat. I have had very little time to knit - or even sleep for that matter. Really looking forward to the long weekend.
And some yarn porn. A few skeins of lovely Artyarns supermerino sock and Schafer Anne that I scored in a partial trade for some peace fleece in my stash. So not TECHNICALLY stash enhancement right? 3 skeins in - 3 skeins out.