Another Quick Update

Hello out there in blog land...how are you? Things here are winding down with my friend Kathy's visit...she's leaving for home to the warmer Florida Keys this Saturday. Can you believe she's been here since September 16?? Her uncle passed away the Sunday before last, it was expected and a blessing. Her aunt is doing well, but driving Kathy, and by default me, crazy with her stubbornness and oddness. I've no tolerance for that foolishness, bereaved or not. So I won't miss that, but I will miss my BFF. So, things should return to semi-normal around here. My job, although still boring as hell, is going to have a little more activity come next week, so that should make the time pass quicker. It's insane to be in the independent restaurant business and try to turn it around in this economy, but that's what we're going to try and do. For the umpteenth time. Hopefully some customers will have full pockets and go out for a good dinner!
I've got a finished object to share, since there has been knitting going on at home. I finished my FLS, which is more like a cozy jacket with the Malabrigo yarn I used and is a little big, but I'm wearin' it anyway! I'd knit another, in a different yarn. The pattern is easy. Once I got blocks of time to knit on it, it went fast.

Next on the needles will be finishing up some scarves, one of which is my only handknit to gift this Christmas. A couple people asked for those scalloped beaded necklaces to give as gifts, so I might make a couple of them. But, I don't think most of the people I gave handknits to in the past really appreciated them, so those that I know will enjoy them will be the only recipients of my knitting time. My next big project will be the Ombre Blanket from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders, knit in alpaca. It will be toasty warm and match my sofa. I want to make a few more hats for charity, and regret that I didn't do as much of them as I wanted to these past couple months. Soon, I'll be back to my routine!

That's about it for my update. I must get back to that thing called work. Be well!

Mother Nature is Confused.

Tuesday: temps in the 30's with rain and wet snow! (that luckily didn't hit the ground here at the beach) Wednesday: temps didn't get out of the 30's. Thursday's temps reached a high of around 50, yesterday was sunny and warm in the upper 50's. Today, it's November 1. Partly sunny and temps in the 60's! So, what better than to take advantage of Mother Nature's confusion and sit on the beach. I knitted, Kathy read. Since I got the new cane made for beach walking, it's easier to do just that. Not too far, but far enough that I can still look for seaglass and shells. I never thought I could do that on my favorite beach again. That made me very happy.

Here is one of traveling scarves I'm working on. The theme of this particular scarf group is, "purple." The pattern I chose, appropriately enough for beach knitting is "foaming waves".

I also got a few rows done on my February Lady Sweater. I don't think I'll have it done in time for next Saturday, but I can dream. I got some advise to start knitting the sleeves now, to avoid knitting them with the bulk of the body in the way later. I think I will do that since I'm almost ready to start another ball of yarn. I'm using Malabrigo Worsted in the Cognac colorway. I love the color, but hope the lack of a twist in the Malabrigo yarn doesn't hurt my sweater's wear.

In keeping with trying to get back into a semi-regular blogging routine, here is today's sky, from the beach in Bay Head NJ. Even the boating enthusiasts were taking advantage of a warm 1st of November.

This IS a Knitting Blog?

If you're on Ravelry you might know I still knit. A lot. If you're not (if you're a fiber artist, and you're not, you should be) here is proof that I do, in fact knit:

A shoulder shawl, knit with Schaefer Anne yarn.

A market bag, in Peaches and Creme yarn.

One of two knit and beaded necklaces, a quick and fun project from 101 Designer One Skein wonders:

Two of a few hats I've knit for charity during August.

There are a few other projects but not ready to be talked about. I will say, though, one is being knit with the dreaded Noro Kureyon. I love the way it's striping. I will reserve final judgement on Kureyon until I'm through. So see? I still do knit. :-)

Happy WWKIP Day!

If you read my blog, WWKIP Day probably doesn't need an explanation. If you're unaware, go here for info. The previous two years, there really wasn't any local events planned, so I knit solitary in my back yard. That's public, right? ;-) This year, there were many. I kind of think Ravelry had a lot to do with spreading the world. I chose to spend my WWKIP day at What's Needling You? in Toms River. I got there around 12ish, and stayed until it was over, at 2. I didn't get an early enough start, so not nearly enough KIPing for me. I didn't sleep last night so by the time I got moving it was late. But anyway. It was VERY hot today, 92. There was a canopy tent set up in front of the shop for shade, and also we were able to go into the shop to cool off in the A/C if neccessary. Luckily, there was a breeze which helped. Deb, the LYS owner had snacks, sandwiches desserts and beverages set up inside for us. There wasn't a huge crowd KIPing but as people left, a couple more people would come by to shop and KIP. It was fun. I brought along a few projects, the lace ribbon scarf, koolhaas hat I just started, and my almost done montego bay scarf. Montego bay was most admired, as it's the first time any of the knitters their ever felt the luciousness of seasilk in person. One of the ladies has been trying to talk Deb into ordering some for the shop. I hope she does, because there isn't a LYS in my area that carries it. Amanda's "Bunch of Celery" yarn was fawned over too, which I am using for Lace Ribbon.
I really love the way the shop is decorated for each season. When I was there last, it was transitioning from winter to spring, and now, it's nearly summer. I thought this was too cute, beings that we're at the beach and all..."We knit summer shells down by the seashore"

You know that I couldn't leave the shop empty handed, right? I saw this pretty sample tank top, and just had to buy the pattern and the yarn for it. (yeah, yeah...more yarn) It's the Flirty Tank from Y2Knit. I like the sample knit better than the picture the pattern provides. The yarn I bought is Cottonwood from Fibra Natura, an organic cotton that's really soft and smooth. The color is a very very pale purple. This photo doesn't showthe color well, take my word, it's lovely. To be knit....sometime.

And that's not all. There is always a 50% sale bin, and although I could have got a couple more things, I chose the 2 single Malabrigos. For 1/2 price, they needed to come home with me. There is compassion knitting and a blog contest coming up soon, you know!

I also picked up some yarn for my pal in the Ravelry 9-5 multi-tasking Swap. And since I had a full discount card from the last time I was there, I got everything for 20% off, and filled more of the next card. ;-) So, it's justified. I said so.

2pm came too soon, WWKIP here was over. I would have liked to head north to another WWKIP in Red Bank, but the skys were darkening and T-storms were called for, so I headed home. Those storms didn't come 'til around 5, and even before the rain came, there was thunder and lightening and the power went out for a while. Came back on, and then the rain came down in buckets. We really needed it.

This is the steamy Saturday Sky before the storm...

I swear, there has been knitting going on. Just not pictured. I am almost finished with Montego Bay, I have to put the fringe on one end. I heart that scarf and seasilk yarn. I did finish my lace panel tank, but not in time for Tucson, but I was able to wear it to work this week when it was near 100 degrees. I started a koolhass hat for Sublynnminal Healing for June's project (fingers crossed to finish). I'm just past the ribbing and 1/2 of the lattice, but I do see the pattern emerging. But damn...switching to the larger needles from the ribbing to the lattice? ouch my hands still hurt. That's about it. But oh, yes, Tucson still needs to be blogged about, but I have to choose from 174 pics and resize them before that happens. It is still fresh in my mind, so it will be as if it was right after. Promise.

I hope you all had a wonderful week, and have a great weekend. I was incredibly busy at work this week, not getting finished until after 8 some nights, not before 7 any night. Crazy involved projects that took way longer than I imagined needed to be done "yesterday'. They really weren't that bad, but time consuming. I did not get a chance to meet up with Grace, hopefully she had a good vacation down here, and was able to beat the heat by the beach. Maybe next time she's down my work schedule will be lighter and we'll get together.

If you are fortunate to still have your Dad with you, enjoy tomorrow. For me, it's just another day. I do miss my Dad.

Damage to my Wallet

It's all Ravelry's fault. It's bad for the health of my wallet. Other Ravlers' yarn and book destashes are contributing to my fiber addiction and lack of self control. Actually...I jest. I can stop anytime, I swear. I scored some really really good deals on....

3 skeins of Fleece Artist Cashlana:

2 skeins of

Handmaiden Seasilk....

3 skeins of Handmaiden Silken:

among others. It's all good. Truly. Perhaps I need an intervention? Nah.... :-) I actually found some yarn in colorways for sale/trade that have been discontinued (project to be posted about in the future) through Ravelry destashes. And that is a very good thing.

This Week's Knitting: Something for Me.

OK, so there are countless patterns out there to knit. Yes, I've made 3 of this pattern so far, but it's easy, fast, and I had the yarn...so I cast on, again, another lace panel tank top sweater. But this one is for me. I need to perfect my modifications I've made to the original pattern from Plymouth so this time I'm taking notes. I thought the yarn I chose, Plymouth Linen Isle, had more colors showing in it, it's rather plain compared to the other 2 I knit...but pale pink is one of the colors that looks good on me, so it's OK.

I started Monday evening I think? Here's my progress:

It's going fast, and since I only knit during the evenings this past week, I think that's something.

I have to include the close up of the stitch markers I'm using. These were in my package from my pal in the Cocoa swap, Patty R. They are from Wee Ones, on Etsy. I love them! Can you see the little toes on the bottom of the kitty feet? So cute, such detail. (clikie for biggie)

That's all on the knitting progress this week. I've needed a no-thought project, this is it. I've been stressed at work for the past 2 weeks~it's gone from I want to bang my head on my desk from boredom to being overwhelmed. No happy medium. So, the glass (or two) of wine after work and this project go along very well.

From Forgotten UFO to FO!

I was sorting out a basket of knitting stuff last weekend, and came across a UFO tucked in the bottom. I had started knitting this last fall, it was to be a Hanukkah/Christmas gift for my boss/friend Tamar. For whatever reason, I put it away, probably too many other projects, and knew I'd never finish in time. Out of sight, out of mind, I forgot about it. When it turned up, I figured, well, her birthday is the 18th of this month, I finish it for that. I'd knitted this pattern twice before, this is the 2nd time I used Plymouth Linen Isle. I like the way the colors of the yarn show up in the knitted fabric. Now that it's finished, I think the shoulder straps should have been a little longer, but I did go with the measurements of my modifications to the pattern, so we'll see. She's tiny, except for "the girls." ;-) Hopefully it will fit. I've got some Linen Isle in my stash which I purchased to make this pattern for me. I wonder if I ever will?

There's a contest over at Cass' blog to celebrate #555. She's got some great prizes for the winners, but the blog is a very good read. If you haven't, go over and enter, you have until May 7.

There has been knitting...

Some, anyway. I knitted 3 hats for the Warm Woolies project as part of the "good karma" for the Guilty Pleasures/Good Karma Swap Group on Ravelry. The hats took no time at all to knit, and they are on their way to warm some kids' heads. I've already received my "guilty pleasures" package from my pal, Allison (Lucy325) and it was fantastic.I'm waiting for one more item to come in for my pal, then her guilty pleasures will be on their way.

I've been working on the Lace Ribbon Scarf from the current knitty. I love the pattern! It's interesting enough that concentration is needed, but not so much that it's still possible to look at TV, etc., while knitting it. But, I think I love the yarn more. It is so soft! I am using the yarn Amanda custom dyed for me earlier this year, "Bunch of Celery" which was supposed to be for a different project, a lace shawl KAL, but as I read the clues and saw the project emerge, I knew I was not going to be knitting that one anytime soon. I really like how the different celery colors show up as I'm knitting.

The other project I am knitting is a secret one...but I will show this much, and that's it :-)

Stormy Saturday Sky

The weather people got it right today. Scattered thundershowers, with temps varying from the upper-50's to the mid-70's, depending on where at the shore it was. Cooler closer to the ocean, warmer in from the coast. My friend Dianne and I took a ride today down to Long Beach Island (aka LBI) to visit a LYS there, Island Knits. Right now, it's a small store, but come May 1, the owner, Linda Kelly, told us she is moving to another location with more space and will have a cafe as well, with sofas, a perfect atmoshere for relaxing and knitting. Her shop is not fully stocked right now, due to the move in a few weeks, but the future location will have more room and more yarn. But of course, I could not leave empty handed, and left with a skein of "Wonderful Wool" from Steadfast Fibers in the color "columbine", a pretty lavendar blue. It looks like it might want to be an Amanda Hat. We shall see.
After Island Knits, a pretty wild thunderstorm popped up, so we stopped for lunch at a little grill and pizza place, then headed on to then sit and knit at a group that meets on Saturday afternoons at a cute shop, "That Little Something Shop". The owner, Alice, (Ravelry link) has so many lovely beachy, ocean decor and jewelry and...well, everything I wanted and for once, resisited. This time. After browsing, we sat and knitted (me) and crocheted (Dianne) and chatted with the other ladies who stopped in to do the same. Alice and some of the others are on Ravelry, which is how Dianne found out about the meet up. Ravelry...bringing fiber fanatics together! Even though I live in a beach town, it's interesting to go to see what goes on in "other" beach towns. It was worth the 40 + mile each way trip, and I hope to go back before summer kicks in and weekend traffic prohibits trips south.

The Mystic Light Night

I joined the Mystic Light Lace Shawl KAL. Although the hostess is using a yarn with oranges for fire light, I wanted my Mystic Light to represent the late afternoon sun, setting with glorious colors, blending into the dark night sky with stars. I couldn't find the "right" yarn for it elsewhere, so I asked Amanda to custom dye some yarn for me. This is her creation. It arrived yesterday, and I love it! It will look so very nice when I finally get a chance to start the shawl. I'm way behind, the 2nd clue came out Wednesday, so I guess I am not KALing, I am KLing (knit latering) But it will happen. So many projects, so little time....

Everybody's Gone Surfing...

...In the Morning Surf. I finally finished knitting it this afternoon, and right now it's rolled up in a towel after it's soak wash bath, ready to be blocked into shape. It was easy to knit, but quite tedious after a while. I'm in agreement with Chan, who after finishing the Clapotis, said she thinks she likes lace knitting better than drop stitch patterns.
I really do love those colors all blended together.

That's all the knitting that's been happening here for the past few weeks. I've mentioned to some that I've been in a knitting slump, perhaps that's over now because at least I am thinking about new projects to be.

Oh, and thanks for the comments on my sky post from yesterday. I'm feeling so much better, It's hard to believe that 48 hours ago I felt like last week's garbage. ;-)

Finally..Knitting Progress.

Since things with Reggae are "status quo" for now, I can get on to what this blog was really about, my knitting! I've owed some FO's and WIPs for a couple weeks I think. So, here they are.
First, is the scarf I made out of the left over Dream in Color "smooshy" 'lipstick lava'. I used the horseshoe print lace pattern. It came out nice after it was blocked. This will more than likely be a PIF gift. :-)

Next, is the hat I knit for Anniebananie's project to knit hats for her cousin Lynn who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, or for the Winchester Medical Center where she's having treatment. I decided on the Chapeau Mariner, and used koigu kpppm for mine, rather than a solid color. btw, I am a fan of koigu now, too. I don't have the ribbon for the hat yet, and will probably block it to open up the lace pattern on the brim. I liked the way the koigu blended as I knit in the round. I'd like to pull a pink color out of the yarn to match to a ribbon to symbolize the fight against breast cancer. I think it turned out cute, and hope it's something that brings some cheer and comfort! Oh, and this was the hat I needed my Boye #6 tips that I'd misplaced to helpt with the cast on and thenswitch to #2s. Of course, I found the #6 tips and the attached cord after I'd finished the hat. I was packing my go-knit bag Friday night to take to the vet on Saturday because I knew I'd be waiting, and there they were, in that bag. At least they are no longer MIA. I discovered that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get an extra pair of #2 and #3 circular needles soon too.

My next object is a WIP, another gift for PIF. It's Morning Surf. Better images on Ravelry if you're in. I am using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Lakeview colorway. This is a fun pattern, with the drop stitches and all. I like the way this colorway is blending. I can see how it will be very pretty after some blocking. The pattern calls for casting on 76 stitches, which I did, and knit a few rows of the pattern. I decided that was too wide, and frogged that and cast of 46. I'm happy with that. It is recommended that straight needles are used for this pattern to support the wraps for the dropped stitches. Shoot...I didn't have #3 straights. But wait! I just might have...I won a 'lot' of vintage needles last year on ebay. Some metal, some wood, I just stuck them in a vase in my spare room. Yep, a pair of 3's! Metal and a little slippery, (i prefer bamboo or wood straights) but they'll do fine.

So that's the knitting progess for the past couple of weeks. Not nearly as much as I'd hoped to accomplish, but I'm pleased with the projects. Next on the agenda is awating the arrival of the yarn from dear Amanda that she's custom dyeing for my Mystic Light Lace KAL. I can't wait to see how the colors we've been discussing play out!

Do You Koigu?

This is what happens when I'm bored at work (or unmotivated) and can't help myself. It doesn't matter if I leave the Amex at home or not...they will accept PayPal and I've got that memorized! It's all your fault, fellow bloggers and Ravelry! I had to see why Koigu KPPPM has been stashed 5,450 times (and counting!) on Ravelry, and got favorite yarn status from bloggers such as KM, among others. You're all enablers, to me-of-no-self-control! I just had to see for myself. So...this arrived yesterday and now I Koigu too! The colors are really nice, and these are 3 I chose. I'm about to cast on for this, in the color that's been wound (yay for swifts and winders). I'm interested to see how it knits up in that pattern.

This Week's Knitting, and I Won a Contest too!

I finished knitting and blocked my "thinking of you" scarf, and I am very happy with the way it turned out, I think I will keep it. I really love how the patterns in lace take on a whole 'nother personality after they're washed and blocked.

There was plenty of yarn left, so rather than let more than 1/2 of a skein sit and marinate in my stash for maybe ever, I cast on and began another scarf, using the horseshoe print lace scarf. It's an 8 row pattern repeat, and if I ever spend a lot of time on it I hope I can memorize it because it's in words, and i have found I like charts better, for lace. And thanks to Kris W, my secret pal from the fall FFBE for telling me that "sock yarn doesn't have to be used for just socks" because, you know, I don't knit socks. :-)

Yesterday at the LYS, in addition to the goodies I picked up for my contest prizes, I took advantage of their 50% off sale (i know, right?) and picked up 3 of these, for a wrap to knit for a friend's b-day in September...or maybe Christmas. :-) This green is her color.

I also got this awesome tote bag, and when I checked out saw that I received 20% off the Malabrigo, it's Deb's 1 year anniversary sale. Since I was buying one that one for a prize, I just HAD to get me one too. :-)

Oh, and even I won a contest! Mary over at SitnKnit wanted to know some of our favorite blogs for her Bloggerversary contest, and my name was chosen 1st. I picked the Cascade220. I don't know yet what it will be, but for now it's in good company with the rest of my stash. I love that color. Thanks, Mary!

I haven't knitted a stitch since Friday night, between the contest and pictures for my blog, so I'm going to go do just that now before the day is over. Have a good week ahead.

This Week's Knitting

As I mentioned yesterday, I finished the scarf to match the Amanda hat last Sunday night, in time to wear both for the frigid weather Monday and Tuesday. I loved knitting with the Malabrigo, and I loved the Amanda Hat pattern. I used the same stitch to make the matching scarf. BUT---I am not thrilled with my scarf. Having to purl the wrong side made my scarf curl into a tube when I wear it. I should have done a garter border rather than just a slip 1 purlwise. It is pretty though, and when I pull it out, it's fine for a while. I wonder if blocking would help? Anyone?

This is progress on my "Thinking of You" scarf as of this morning. Now, I am past the 36" of 'wavy eyelet rib" stitching, that composes the first part of the scarf and into working the heart pattern. It's not too difficult a pattern to follow, first 36" is easily memorized: a 4-row repeat. Probably why I thought, when I started it Sunday, I'd be finished with it to wear on Thursday for Valentine's Day. HA! Over confidence, that. Perhaps I will gift this...I'll see how it goes. The heart pattern requires a little more attention, so it won't be knitted as fast as the wavy eyelet ribbing was. Rather than choose a solid color, I am using Dream in Color's "Smooshy" sock yarn, in their colorway, Lipstick Lava. There's just a slight variegation to the coloring; but I'm hoping it blocks out to make the pattern pop.

That's about it for this week. There's still plenty of time to enter my "300 Contest" (scroll down) so if you haven't, please do.

Oh, and has anyone noticed spellcheck hasn't been working on blogger? I am a pretty good speller, but even I know "smooshy" isn't a word. So, excuse any misspelled words, heh heh, in my posts.

Have a good week ahead!