20 Days and Counting...

and I am 1 FO closer to being finished my Christmas knitting.

Pattern: the Moose Hat from Bea Ellis Knitwear (for my dad)

Yarn: Heilo in 5563 & 6031

Needles: Knit Picks Options US 3 & 5

Modifications: I think the only thing that I changed was to work the hat magic loop instead of on a small circ. Found it alot easier to control my tension with the colorwork using magic loop.

I've also been pretty busy finishing up some socks that have been laying around the house for a while. The ones on the left are for Angelina using leftover Lorna's Laces from from my MSS3 socks. The ones on the right are for my mom using Plymouth Sockotta in Lilac Bold Stripe, these were also my intro into Magic Loop. Love it!

Here is a glimpse at the next item on my Christmas knitting list:

A Montego Bay Scarf for my SIL using Sea Silk. This is the silkiest yarn that I have ever touched, because of this the knitting isn't going as quickly as I would like. I seem to be spending more time petting it then I do knitting with it, thank goodness this is a mindless knit.

And to show off what Angelina spent the afternoon today learning:

Some finger knitting...After about 5 minutes of showing her how to wrap the yarn around her fingers, she informed me that she was a big girl and she could do this all by herself. And she did...so far she has about 24" of a belt done, and is already to start knitting clothes for the cat;)

Holy Magic Loop, Batman

So I have tried something new this weekend, and I am really liking it thus far. Magic Loop...what's not to like, no ladders, easy to try on, and best of all, no SSS. The only thing that I'm not liking right now is how slow it goes, so I just keep reminding myself that once I'm done, I'm done, no second sock to cast on for.

An "N" for November. I have finished my November socks for SAM4, although I almost feel like I cheated, just plain toe-up St St. Yay for quick and easy socks. I really do love these socks though, the yarn is from heaven( actually it's Plucky Knitter, but close enough) it's so soft and squishy and the colors are awesome.

Pattern: Working Socks from the Toe-Up from Interweave Summer 2007
Yarn: Old Oak Tree Superwash Sport from the Plucky Knitter

Needles: US 2.5

I've also finished my first Chevron Scarf, which I am also very happy with how it turned out.

Pattern: Chervon Scarf by Joelle Hoverson

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Fingering in Oops and Stormy Day (1.5 skeins of each)

Needles: US 5

A quick peek at my WIPs...

Cobblestone

the Moose Hat

And yarn porn from the Loopy Ewe...

Stitch Counting Bracelet, Claudia Handpainted Fingering in Strawberry Latte & Chocolate, Seacoast in Desert Rose, and Shibui in Breeze (from Lt to Rt)

Needles for Sale

I have some needles for sale, as I am getting the Knit Picks Options set. I have them listed here individually or I will sell them as a set for $60. Just leave me a message if you are interested in anything listed here.

Brittany Birch
DPN's
US 2 - 5" = $3 ($6.99 retail)
Straight
US 5 - 10" = $3 (6.99 retail)

KA
DPN's
US 1 - 6" set of 5 = $3 ($7.40 retail)
US 1 - 6" set of 4 = $2 ($7.40 retail)
US 2 - 8" set of 4 = $2 ($7.40 retail)
US 3 - 8" set of 5 = $3 ($7.60 retail)
US 8 - 8" set of 5 = $3 ($7.85 retail)
Straight
US 2 - 9" = $2 ($4.05 retail)
US 3 - 9" = $2 ($4.05 retail)
US 6 - 9" = $2 ($4.30 retail)
Circular
US 0 - 16" = $4 ($7.99 retail)

Clover
Straight
US 6 - 13" = $3 ($5.75 retail)
US 7 - 9" = $2 ($4.75 retail)
US 8 - 13" = $3 ($5.75 retail)
Circular
US 4 - 29" = $4 ($8.25 retail)
US 5 - 29" = $4 ($8.25 retail)
US 6 - 24" = $4 ($8.25 retail)
US 7 - 29" = $4 ($8.25 retail)
US 8 - 24" = $4 ($8.25 retail)

Plymouth
DPN's
US 0 - 6" = $3 ($6.75 retail)
US 6 - 6" = $3 ($6.75 retail)

Boyle
Circular
US 4 - 16" = $1 (I'm not sure how much I paid for these, but I'm sure it wasn't much)

Monkey Socks and Yarn Porn

I have been a bad blogger lately, but with good excuse. My in-laws are visiting this week for DH's graduation, so I have been very busy getting ready for the visit and now entertaining. We have been having a great time seeing all the sites and hanging out, it's amazing how much of the area we get to see when we have company.

My MSS3 package arrived yesterday. Thank you so much Ester for the great package! Included in my package was a very cute hugging monkey and blanket set (which Angelina claimed immediately), a couple of cute scarfs, a pair of slippers, Hersey's cookies, sunglasses, a Chibi needle set, Lang JaWoll, Meilenweit Mega Boots Stretch, Twisted Flower Pattern...and of course my socks. They are awesome. (excuse the cat in the pic, she wants to be famous)

I also have some yarn porn to show off. I'm only going to post pics of my favorites, since I kind or went over board. Yummy yummy yarn porn!

Yarn Love - Violets

Fleece Artist Sea Wool - Stone
Cherry Tree Hill Sport - Cherry Blossom
The Plucky Knitter BFL Suri Alpaca - Lara
The Plucky Knitter Merino - Pesto

A pic of my most recent WIP...I have joined the bandwagon and started a Chevron Scarf. I am really liking the pattern and the yarn, and it's knitting up pretty quick which is always good.

And last but not least...if you haven't checked these out yet you should. Pink Lemon Twist mentioned these kits on her blog, and I am always looking for a quick Christmas present. They are hat and headband colorwork kits, very cool and for a very reasonable price, $19.95 for the yarn and the kit.

A Couple of FO's

I have been very good this past week...I have only been working on my WIPs instead of casting on anything new. So far I've knocked out 2 projects with 2 more that I want to get finished before we make our big move.Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A

Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Sommerset - 2 skeins

Needles: US 1.5 - Knit Picks

These will be off to my MSS3 Pal as soon as my order from the Loopy Ewe gets here.

Pattern: Swan Lake (MS3) by Pink Lemon Twist

Yarn: Zephyr in Sage (less then 4oz)

Needles: US3 - Addi Lace Turbo

Thats it for me today, I'm off to clean house and work on some of my other WIPs. Have a great week.

Hogwarts Package

Look what I got in the mail yesterday...my Hogwarts Sock Swap Package, from Emma Crookshanks. She sent me all sorts of cool stuff, including my super soft Ravenclaw socks. Included in the package were some beautiful stitch markers, 2 balls of Patons Pebbles in Ravenclaw-ish colors, Charmed Knits books(Yeah!), very cool Harmony DPNs, and last but not least something for my House Elf...

A cute little kitten toy. Anneliese has either been guarding or attacking this toy since being unwrapped. Thank you so much Emma for a perfect package.

Well I have some news(which will help explain my spotty blogging). DH finally got his orders for the last stage of his training. Yeah! We are very excited to be almost finished all of the training part of his job, the only sucky part is that we'll be separated for 4 months while he finishes this last part. On the plus side we are 4 months closer to be stationed somewhere for longer then 1 year at a time. So now that we have the orders we can start getting everything all set for a very big move from here(California) back to Georgia. So I've been busy filling out forms, going to briefings, collecting files and downsizing the house. Busy, busy, busy. I was very excited on Monday when we went to Transportation and found out that the Army would have a professional moving company come in and pack everything up and put it in storage for us. That takes alot off my shoulders. Well I'm off to make phone calls and to work some more on the Monkey socks.(they are sooo close to being finished)

SP Package

I was so excited when I opened the mailbox this afternoon, and saw a package with my name on it. My first SP package was here...look at the goodies that my pal sent me.
Inside was a cute little magnetic notepad, a couple of really nice smelling candles, a package of note cards, Reese Peanut Butter Cups(Angelina has already swiped a few a those) and 2 skeins of Plymouth Alpaca in a really pretty petal. This yarn is very soft and squishy, so nice.

Thank you very much secret pal.

I think I must have bought magic needles...I cast on my pals first monkey sock Wednesday and cast off yesterday. I have never knitted a sock that fast, so it must be the needles. I love my new Knit Picks needles, the points are very pointed and the 6" length makes them very easy to work with, but best of all I didn't break a single needle. Yeah! Well I am off to cast on the second monkey, hopefully I can get this one finished just as quickly.

F**k the Mittens

Do you sense my frustration? I finished the first Anemoi Mitten and it looks awesome. The problem is still getting them on, it's possible, just not easy(really NOT easy). So these are going away in the to be scraped pile while I try and figure out what to do for this persons Christmas present. I have also been working on my Cabletini socks. I am so in love with everything about these, the yarn, the needles(my Sox Stix), and most of all the pattern. The mini cables are awesome and easy to memorize, and I finally found a toe-up pattern that has the reinforced heel that I love so much.

We also went pumpkin picking this weekend, which was a fun experience. The pumpkin farm had corn mazes, bouncy houses and goat feeding...Angelina had a blast with all the activities. We ended up with 5 large pumpkins, 3 small and 2 mini. We spent most of Sunday carving 3 of the pumpkins into a scary face, a cat, and some bats. We are now all set for Halloween, except for the candy, but that can be easily obtained.

Angelina hard at work carving her 1st pumpkin
The end results

The family of pumpkins (scary face, Boo w/ bats & a cat)

Last night the Loopy Ewe had a sneak up and so far I have resisted temptation, although its been very difficult since there are a couple of things that I am really coveting.

Fleece Artist - Stone

Yarn Love - Contentment Yarn Love - Darling

Hopefully I'll be able to indulge fairly soon, until then I'll just look.

P.S. My new Knit Picks Sock needles came in tonight, they are really nice. I finally broke down and bought metal needles since every time I pick up a pair of socks to knit I break at least one needle. So the money that I was spending (plus the breaks easily factor)made me think that maybe bamboo wasn't really for me.

SITM Package

Thank you so much Lynn for the beautiful socks and all the awesome goodies.
Here are my socks, they are so pretty and they fit very nicely. Lynn used Cookie A's Hedera pattern and Lang yarn. I love them.She also sent some chocolate, a row counter (I have been wanting one of these), body lotion in my favorite scent...Magnolia Blossom, some coupons for Bath and Body Works, a skein of Louet Gems Sport in a sage color, and an awesome tape measure that looks like a hat cake.This has been a really great swap. Thanks again Lynn for the best package.

Finally Motivation Strikes

Thanks goodness for new needles. Because I just couldn't wait to use my new Sox Stix, I cast the Anemoi Mittens once again. And this time they worked! I figured out that the problem wasn't the needle size, but that I was pulling the CC way to tight across the back. Because all of the colorwork was so tight in the back, it was pulling the ribbing in and not letting it stretch out at all. So now I'm making a conscious effort to keep all the colorwork very loose, and it's working beautifully. Thank you to all of those that left me suggestions or encouragement with the Anemoi Mittens, I really appreciate the feedback.The monkeys are driving me crazy. I finished blocking the Monkey sock for my pal, it is definitely way too small. So after another trip to my LYS I pick up some ToFutsies in 10 Foot Tall and started again. I upped my needle size to a US2 and it seems to be helping quite a bit. The real test though is when I get down to the heel and gusset, that's were the sizing problem seems to happen. My fingers are crossed though. I also picked up these while at the LYS.
SWTC ToFutsies in Toot Toot for either a pair of Cabletini or Pomatomus

Trekking XXL in Greys for a pair of Vanilla Socks for DH

My sister ROCKS!

Look what I got in the mail today...My very first set of Sox Stix in the ebony finish.

My sister must really love me. I can't wait to cast on a new pair of socks to try out my new needles. I already have a pattern in mind (Cabletini), I just need to pick up some yarn for it. Yeah for new needles.

I finished my first Monkey sock today, but I'm not sure if it's going to fit. At the moment its alittle hard to get it past the heel, possible...but not easy. So it's blocking at the moment, to see if that helps at all. If not, then I guess these will be for me and I'll go back to the drawing board for my MSS3.