Swapping and Spinning

Here is the really cool Swap package I received from my Secret Swap 14 pal. Some great yarn, a sweet treat and some nice tea. You can't see the card - but it has some CUTE kittens on it. I think I'll make a hat with the yarn. And in the lower right corner - buttons:

Here is a close up - aren't the sheep perfect!

Today I finally finished spinning plying and skeining some yarn.

It's been in my stash for a long time! I really like the red yellow colors but the plying is not good. Very annoying and I'm not sure what the issue is. I plyed the blue skein last week and it went together perfectly. Otherwise I'd be concerned that I'd lost my touch.

Kelly also received her sweater. She has promised pictures and hopefully she will feel up to it soon. She had a horrible weekend last week and I wish I could give her a big hug.

Finished Object = OUT OF MY QUEUE

Here it is - the end of the cotton is at hand. Orangina is completed. Now I just need to mail it to the recipient.

Here it is modeled by my very thin daughter. I hope it fits Kelly better. Maybe she will post pictures for us. We can only hope.

Stagnation!

I am still knitting Orangina. It feels like forever! It's only been a couple weeks though. Having that information on Ravelry certainly is useful. I am about 1 inch from joining the front to the back and knitting the ribbing on the bottom.

I am going to participate in a Harry Potter knitting competition, based loosely on the Tri-wizard Tournament. I'm quite excited to see how it will work. It starts September 5.

There is also a dishcloth swap I joined that starts soon (I hope). It's a great concept. 12 of us knit 1 dishcloth a month and then each month one of us receives a dishcloth from the other 11 knitters. I imagine I will knit all 12 using the same pattern. I really like it. I've already knit 20 or 30 of them and I'm still not tired of the pattern yet.

Ravelry certainly has made my knitting life busy. I love how easy it is to find new patterns and yarns there. No matter what I'm thinking about doing there is someone else who has made it or is thinking about it. I can look at the item knit in different colors and different yarns. Some people put great notes up on their 'project' page, which can be really helpful. I wish I was better about putting notes up.

I made more bread today. This time I made a medium rye and english muffin. The rye needs to be darker but the recipe is tasty. The english muffin is really cheater bread - it was made in the bread machine. It is also quite tasty. Both recipes came from King Arthur Flour.

I found another dark rye recipe, that I plan to try next week, on another site. I've had good and bad luck with that site. So next week, if the test bake is a success I'll post a link to that.

And with any luck at all I'll have a new project to talk about.

And we have -

Bread, beautiful bread:
This bread recipe was developed to celebrate the North Dakota Centennial. It's quite tasty and I haven't made if for several years.

My Secret Swap 14 package:
Should have put up these pictures a long time ago - but life got busy. This yarn is lovely and I just can't decide what to make with it. There was also some really great chocolate but it didn't make it to picture time. We ate it long before there were pictures.

And new yarn:
This is the yarn I bought to make the Tempest Sweater. This is my incentive to focus on finishing Kelly's Orangina.

Now you'll have to excuse me while I go eat some of the bread - it smells delicious!

A long quiet week.

Last week's bread baking was full of fail. I'm going to give it another go tomorrow.

I have done some knitting this week, but nothing has been finished. I did finish the lace portion of the back of Kelly's Orangina and started the front. I have about 2 inches of the front started.

I also found another baby sock pattern to try. So far I just haven't been happy with the ones in my library and new patterns are ALWAYS a good option.

Cross your fingers that tomorrow's bread baking turns out a wee bit better than last week.

Today - not knitting

Today I am doing something not knitting - baking bread.

I threw together a sponge, opened the grain grinder, ground the grain (the mill works great - with a lot less dust flying out of it then the old one - best declutter I ever took off someone's hands) and now I'm waiting for this to raise:


I hope it turns out well. I haven't got my recipes here so I had to scour the intertubes. This is not a terribly pleasing experience - except for this - King Arthur Flour.

This site has a lovely recipe section. I know the catalog is fraught with peril but the website is worse! Totally delightful but give the bank card to the spouse (or someone else you trust) and send them out for about 6 hours, while you browse. I have about 6 recipes I'd like to try but we don't really need 18 loaves of bread in the house.

Lopi Love

Here is another sweater. I finished this one in the car (except for tucking the ends) in the car on the way to and from camping.

It's design 36 from Lopi 18. The yarn is Alafoss Lopi. It should be nice and warm this winter.

I found the pattern and the yarn for Kelly's Orangina and I cast that on this morning. I've finished three pattern sets (it's a four row pattern repeated for 15 inches). So far so good! With any luck she will get it sometime this fall - just in time to put it in the closet for NEXT summer.

Camping and knitting

It could happen.

Pattern is Raspberry Lemonade by Adrienne Fong, in Regia 4-fach (a grey and a multi). This was a great camping knit. The pattern was easy to remember and knit so the pattern could stay safe and dry.

Now we are home doing laundry. That could take the entire weekend.

Mid year review

Yes folks - it's time for a little progress checking. I believe I am a bit of a slacker (gasp).

I am four pairs of socks behind for the 52 Pair Plunge.

Last night I did graft the toe of a sock and contemplate starting it's mate. It's too bad the contemplation of knitting doesn't get the socks done. I wouldn't have nearly as much stash and I'd have many more pairs of socks.

I am three sweaters behind on the Sweater a month challenge.

I have about 6 inches on a sweater before I join the sleeves and knit the yoke. If I can find the pattern I have found the yarn for the Oragina I am going to make for a friend. I also have yarn for the Honeycomb Vest and I could start those at any time. That would get me all caught up and then one behind (Assuming I get those done in August)

I am on the final shaping rounds on the kitty pi for the new kitten. When we felt that we can also felt the mice we made. The new kitten will have many new toys and a snuggly bed.

I also need to knit a Pudorosa for my daughter. I will make sure to get it done before Labor Day! That way she can wear it to school.

Another sweater

Here is Steve's sweater - all finished. Lovely cables and it fits, which is the best news EVER!

We are both glad it's finished and ready for fall hunting season.

SSSP - Revealed!

For your viewing pleasure - my two favorite girls in their new sweaters!

Since I had to go to St. Paul to see my father I decided to bring my SSSP for the recipients - my mother and my daughter, both of whom really like horses. I saw someone wearing this sweater many years ago at the Minneapolis Horse Expo. After a great deal of searching I finally found it - thanks to the power of Ravelry. I bought the kit at Camilla Valley Farm. They have great prices and excellent service.

And now for something totally different

Last night I picked up stitches for the last sleeve on Steve's sweater. Since I have to make a sojourne to St. Paul I might as well finish the sleeve and deliver the sweater while I'm there.

I started a new sweater last Saturday. I'll put up pictures later. I have one sleeve done, ready to join and will start the second sleeve soon.

For commute knitting I've been making washclothes. I have finished one ginormous skein of cotton yarn and started another. This might be a nice holiday present sort of thing to have around. They are handy, quick and a painless knit. I bought the yarn (worsted weight cotton) on sale (clearance I believe) for $1 a skein (1 lb) so this is cheap and stash busting. I also have some left over from a rug I crocheted years ago that will also become washclothes.

Photos later - promise!

Some things done

I finished the SSSP.

Turned out very nicely if I do say so myself.

I think I will make a couple pair of socks this week - just like that. In truth - I have a couple pairs started that need finishing.

No pictures today - since the only finished thing is the SSSP and showing it off will ruin the secret.

Socks - two new pair

I finished two more pairs of socks. Both of which sat in the UFO pile for months and needed only the second sock to be finished. The pattern is just a basic sock, I used no real pattern.



The first pair was made using Opal in the Draco Malfoy colorway from the Harry Potter collection. My daughter bought the yarn herself and I made her the socks. She is very patient waiting for them to get finished.









The second pair is Kaffe Fasset collection in Mirage colorway. I meant to order Pool but somehow requested the wrong number. Still nice yarn though and a great pair of socks. I meant to use this yarn to learn a new heel but forgot to grab the directions on the day I reached the heel so I just used a standard heel and gusset. Since waiting to get home and find the pattern was out of the question.





I have also done a lot of work on my SSSP. I may even finish that this week. That will be so very very exciting for me.

Secret Pal 14 Questionaire

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

I prefer basic yarns; Cascade, J&S, Louet gems, natural fibers are the bomb unless we are talking about cotton.
I don't like acrylics and novelty yarns.

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

I have many different things, my Options are in the binder, but other needles are in fabric cases or totes

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 since I was a child. My mother taught me when I was 4 or 5, but she says I wasn't serious about knitting until I was 7. There isn't a technique or pattern I haven't been able to manage or that I wasn't ready willing and able to take on.

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

I do - Amazon is ndeplazes

5. What's your favorite scent?

amber and vanilla

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

Not really, but I like dark dark chocolate

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

I haven't met a craft I didn't like. I have a wheel and many, many spindles.

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 a lot of different music. I have an iPod where I keep my music.

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

I like purple best but all other colors are good too.

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

Two kids (one 23 and one 17) and no pets.

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

Scarves, hats and mittens but no ponchos.

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

Socks and sweaters

13. What are you knitting right now?

Socks and sweaters

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

yes

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

Circulars and dpns. I like all kinds of materials but I don't care for Pony plastic needles.

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

yes - both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

years and years, let's not talk about it, shall we.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

Swiss Independence. My family is Swiss.

At my house we refer to the winter holidays as the National Retailer's Cash Cow Holiday. The standard ones are really all too commercialized.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Pocket Dragons

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

Not at this moment (there are a couple of Alice Starmore books I'd like to have - but I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on a book - ever!). Interweave Knits, Cast On and Verena Knits

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

not at the moment

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

I love knitting socks. My feet are square - 9 inches around and 9 inches long

23. When is your birthday?

January 7

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

I am knitknot

July - Already?

I can't believe that it is July already.

Nothing new on the knitting front. There is progress on many fronts but nothing is finished yet.

But after the weekend there should be socks and maybe, just maybe, a new sweater.

And another one done

Well it is finished, washed, blocked and drying.

After I took the pic I had to repin the points. I looked for buttons today but I couldn't find what I wanted. What a bummer.

Perhaps I'll try another store later this week.

This was a nice quick and fun knit!
Yarn is Jo Sharp Silkroad DK in Boheme on a size 3.25mm needle.

Otherwise nothing is new here. It's been a lovely Monday, if Mondays can actually be lovely.

WOW - a double header!

This morning I put my knitting aside, got in my car and drove north a LONG way. My father's family (his mother's family) was having a reunion. So I figured - heck why not - I've never met any of them before, but it could be fun.

The drive was beautiful. Alas I couldn't find the farm. I saw two farms that looked promising - one had 6 cars in the yard (it seemed odd - I thought the family was larger - but okay) however there were only two people in the yard standing about talking. Hmm - I didn't see the promised sign, in fact the only sign was a No Trespassing sign on the gate. Best drive on! The next farm look more likely - there were about 60 people in the yard, children ran about everywhere. Only one problem. They were all Amish. I believe my mother would have mentioned when she suggested I attend the reunion.

I drove up and down the stretch mentioned in the directions for about 45 minutes and then gave up the ghost and headed for home. I tried to salvage the trip with a stop at yarn store on the way home. This was not to be. Apparently all the yarn stores in Indiana are closed on Sunday.

Oh well - At least it was a lovely day for a lovely drive.

Maybe I'll have better luck next time!

Two forward, one back

The Honeycomb vest is no more. I wasn't going to have enough yarn and I wasn't happy with it anyway. If I have to buy more yarn I'm going to try to find what I wanted in the first place. So instead I ripped back and started Pudorosa. So far a very calming knit. I have the first one almost done. The FIRST ONE you many very well ask. Why yes.

Everyone, being all interested in what I was knitting, asked; I sent the link. They liked. They said they wanted one too - please!? Now they are all knitters and COULD make their own. But, I have 4 balls of this yarn.

If I had my library from home I could make these but I don't (and I could buy the pattern, but I already have it - in MN). So why not. It's a pleasant knit, I have the yarn and the time. (lots of time) And they are all knitters and will appreciate the gift. Two birds, one stone. (Well three but who, besides me, is counting.)

And for our next adventure!

I have cast on for the Honeycomb Vest not that I have finished anything to justify starting something new. I have about 1/2 the back completed. So far it is an interesting knit. I'm looking forward to wearing it.

I am also nearly finished with a pair of socks. I have only half the foot of a second sock to finish. This is a pair that had been suffering from second sock syndrome since last fall. The 52 Pair Plunge and commute knitting have really been useful for getting projects off the UFO pile.

After I finish the vest I will have to get back to the Anniversary Mystery Shawl. I think two more weeks of steady work would finish that.

And then the second sleeve on Steve's sweater. Can sweaters suffer from second sleeve syndrome? I believe mine do.

Looks like an agenda to me!