I saw this on another blog and I thought it was a neat way to show pictures....so I'm trying it here! I do get tired of editing, uploading and all that jazz. These are just the finished items in my folder.

Done!

I finished the feather and fan socks I was working on....yay!

The colors are a lot darker than this picture looks.

I decided to give these socks to my Aunt Jill. Yes, I was named after her :)
She always sends gifts to my kids and I. Even after we moved to another state and then moved again she found us. She's always been the nicest most hospitable person. When I went to Seattle for a visit a couple months ago I saw her and my Grandma. I offered to make them socks so this is my first offering. My aunt also had a birthday a week ago so it will fit right in.










































Specs:

Yarn: Claudia Handpaint Purple Earth from Loopy Ewe
Needles: US 2 Crystal Palace Bamboo (also from Loopy Ewe)
Pattern: Toe up from Sock Wizard and Feather & Fan from Socks, Socks, Socks

In Tandem

I've been working on two socks at the same time the last few days. I'm trying to finish up the pair for my step sister, almost done with those thank goodness.
I also work on my first pair of socks out of my Favorite Socks book, the Waving Lace pattern. I can't resist them! It's my first successful chart following project, and my first time using size 1 needles. Now when I go back to the other socks the needles seem huge.

My kids are officially out of school now so my peaceful pockets of knitting time will be few and far between. We did get a nice above ground pool and I have a lounge chair and a beach umbrella so while the kids are in the pool? I'll be knitting....and listening to Sense and Sensibility on my iPod.

Tomorrow we'll celebrate the first day of vacation by taking the kids to McDonald's for breakfast. Actually its so they will be kept busy for a little while when I take them to Bible Study with me. We will of course take the Gameboys too!

Here's the socks I'm working on. The yarn I'm using for the waving lace is dyed by me with Kool-aid. 3 berry blue, 3 cherry and one black cherry. I think :)
The top picture is one from my cell phone and the bottom is my husbands digital. Not great, I know. I'm going to save up for a nice digital since mine isn't working.













































I also had to reset my ticker because I bought yarn. I've been able to resist up until now but Sheri updated her site (the Loopy Ewe) with this color I've been wanting for a long time...Bart & Louise in the Garden. It will be a nice addition to my stash :)

Long time no post....

It's about time I posted!
I'm pretty sure the only one who reads this is my sister so it's hard to remember to post very often.
I like to look at my ticker to see how well I'm doing on my yarn diet....pretty good!
Considering the spree I had for the few months before, I'm doing very good. I'm sad though because Sheri at the Loopy Ewe just put up some of the yarns on my wish list. Oh, well. I'm going to try to use up some of my stash before adding to it again :)

I have got some finished socks to show, and one WIP. My husband was happy to hear that the latest project is for me because I give away so much. I like it though. I've only finished 7 pairs and I've given away 5 of them. I have so much fun giving so it's ok.

I finished and sent my sisters socks and sent them to her in Germany. She got them today and says they fit perfect! That gives me great joy.
Here they are...





















I also made my mom a pair for Mother's day. She likes all things nautical so I made her Scallop socks in the Seaside colorway. They also fit perfect.....happy!



















Here's the pair for me. This yarn is so beautiful I can't stand it! Each needle knit brings on a new color and it deepens and than starts to change to another color before I reach the next needle. It's really nice. These are Claudia Handpainted in the Purple Earth colorway....

















Today's the day I'm cleaning my sons room....gotta git!

I got my Jaywalkers into Grumperina's gallery!
So I figured I had better post pictures of them here :)

I used Opal Prisma and size 2 dpns.

These are the ones I was trying to finish for the Expo.







































I've washed them once already and they soften up very nicely.

So. Tired.

I had a GREAT time at the Knitting Expo. I spent far too much money and got to pet lots of super cool yarns. I got some really nice yarn, and sock blockers....cheap! (well, cheap for sock blockers).
I loved spending the whole day knitting, or talking about knitting, or looking at yarn, or winding yarn, or buying yarn!!

I've decided that instead of posting pictures of yarns as I get them I'll post pictures of the actual projects I'm knitting! Makes more sense to me. And it's not so boring.

I didn't get a chance to wear my Berkies because I didn't finish my socks in time. They are finished now and I'll post pictures later.

Hmmm....what picture to post. How about this one?

My pup














(notice the cat sleeping on his blanket by him)

Berkies!

Here they are!
This is the first pair I've ever had...even though I've wanted them for years. These are from QVC and they put them on an easy pay plan. So I only have to pay $15 for the next two months...that's how I finally got my hands (or feet) on them.
I know that my white socks aren't very pretty but I only have one pair of socks I've made so I'm still wearing store bought socks (I know...for shame!).

These will be so great with my handknit socks this summer! I'm very excited.
They are a skoshe too big for an ideal fit I think, but I will still wear them. Next time though I'll get one size smaller.

Yarn and coffee

Nothing much new to report.

I'm still working on the Jaywalkers...I'm on the heel flap now. I stopped on the leg at 4"...I don't have the patience for two more inches! I usually wear shorter socks anyway so it works for me.
I really want to finish these so I can wear them to the Knitting Expo.

I was looking at the site for the Expo and followed some of the links to the vendors and I got even more excited! I'm hoping to score some Koigu and maybe a few other trinkets.

In other news....Today I brought in my little espresso machine I got as a wedding gift out of storage.




















Isn't it cute?

If my sisters machine had a baby this is what it would look like....that is if coffee machines could have babies...you know what I mean!

I cleaned it up and ran two cycles of water and two of coffee (I used cheap coffee and threw it out) through it. I think I've warmed up my latte making skills and I'm ready for morning! Now I just have to decide weather to use old Verona or new Gevalia.

I'm thinking I might save myself for after I can go get some fresh Verona from Starbucks. My little machine deserves the best :)

I've got some pictures today. I got some new yarns from The Loopy Ewe, a new swift...oh, yes, and a FO. The clogs for my daughter...which was my last obligation so now it's on to finish my jaywalkers.

Before felting...














After felting...






























Stormy Day
















Roasted Chiles

Mountain Rainbow

Beauty...

Wednesday

well, my camera battery is dead and I don't have any more AAs so no yarny pics today.

It's just as well because yesterday I had to frog my jaywalker and start over. It was just too big! Thanks to my sisters math skilz we were able to figure out how many stitches I should cast on. So it's back to the beginning.

I'm looking forward to my trip to Seattle for the Knitting Expo!
I'm making plans to have lunch with my Aunt who I never get to see, and a visit with my Grandma. My Dad wants me to pick up his machinist tools at Grandmas and ship them to him in Guam. The shipping isn't the problem, neither is the picking up. The problem is figuring out which tools to take. My husband would know, but this trip was really about me getting away for a weekend of yarn and no kids. So we are hatching a plan involving a camera phone upgrade next month.

I did finish knitting one clog for my daughter and then ran out of the sole/cuff yarn so that's on hold for a minute. It shouldn't have surprised me since it was the leftovers from my clogs. I am able to knit on my socks guilt free now!

Well. There is the housework....whatever.

I hate posting with NO pictures, so here's a couple pictures my daughter took...the second one makes me laugh until I cry.

Generosity is a dying art

I went through my stash the last couple days ( to give my sock yarns room to breathe) and bagged up all the acrylic yarn I have. I ended up with a green leaf bag full. My plan is to take it to the second hand store.

I made the mistake of letting my husband see me doing it. He proceeded to complain about how even if each skein only cost two dollars, that was still a lot. And why did I buy it if I wasn't going to use it? And why did I have so much just piling up? I told him he didn't understand because he's not a knitter. I said it is totally normal and mine is actually small compared to what I've seen.

I bought most of it when I first started knitting and I didn't mind using it...now I prefer animal fibers. I also inherited a bunch of it from my Grandmother when she moved into a home after my Grandpa died. So I didn't actually buy at least a third of it.

Apparently, having him see what I was getting rid of? Just as bad as having him see what I'm keeping....which he didn't. Thank goodness for small favors.

AND he was upset that I was going to give it away, suggesting that I put it on Ebay. Why is it such a bad thing to want to give something to Goodwill that I don't want and will never use?

Yarn

I got some new lovelies today....















Perchance to Knit "Pale Spring Rose"













Claudia Hand painted "Toast"















Apple Laine "Earthly Delights"

I like how they are all very different and very soft and yummy. I am getting out of my comfort zone a little with the pastel and the orangish yarns but I like that. I tend to always pick blues, purples and greens.

This weekend I have to get started on my daughters felted clogs. As much as I want to knit on my socks, I have a little voice in my head convicting me... make Ms clogs and then you can knit socks all you want!

I pretty much made mine in just a few days so hopefully hers will go quickly too. Also I have a beautiful stitch marker that was attached to one of the skeins I got today. I don't know if it was from Sheri at Loopy Ewe or all the Perchance skeins have them....either way I'm going to enjoy using it :)

The nice man in the big brown truck (you know the one) brought me these today....





































Lantern Moon Sox Stix!

One of the sets is not the size I ordered...so I called their customer service number and they were very nice. They are sending me the right size and I will then send them the wrong set back and they will pay for shipping....it's all good.

Unfortunately the size they didn't send is the one I'm currently using on my sock so I won't be able to use them just yet. Oh, well.

I finally got a pretty good picture of my Purple Earth sock. It's sad....it took me like 2 hours to get this little toe. Oh, well I'm still a (fairly) new knitter as knitters go. I had to go outside to get the right light to show off the lovely jewel tones of the yarn. I have to say...I've tried this toe before and failed...it's a lot easier with this short color change yarn. Each wrapped stitch is a different color!
My mom was here last night and when I showed her the way the yarn was knitting up she asked me who it was for and I said "I don't know", to which she responded "It could be for me, I wouldn't mind!"
I have only completed 4 pairs of socks and I've given away 3..so we'll see.

Claudia Hand Painted Purple Earth

Wed-nes-day

I was going to post a picture of the Claudia socks I just started but I couldn't get a good picture. I'll try again tomorrow when I have daylight. I did Wendy's toe up for the first time...I liked it, now that I've done it once I think I could do it again without the directions. I was so anxious to try out this yarn that I wound it by myself with no swift. My arrogance got the best of me because I ended up with a little tangle of yarn that I just cut off after messing with it for an hour. Next time I'll get some help...or get a swift.

I had a goal today to get some housework done so I could knit and as usual by the time I got done with the work I didn't have much time for knitting. Tomorrow is another story ;)

Here's a picture of Snowshoe just so my post isn't totally picture free

Yarn Management

I did some organizing this weekend so I thought I'd put some pictures here for looking back. Someday I plan to have a "real" knitting room that's not part of my bedroom :) In that room I want to use my knitting stuff as a display and to decorate, but for now I'm forced to have it hidden and less organized.
I used to have ALL my needles in an old knitting bag hanging from the back of my closet door...along with the shoe holder. Now my straights are looking pretty on top of my book case...




















The dpns and circulars I put into a 6 drawer organizer with the drawers labeled according to size. I saw this idea on a blog...I think Wendy's. I have lots of room to expand, which is always good!



































I have LOTS of loose patterns that I've torn out of magazines and printed off the web, so I put them into binders and put them on my bookcase. The problem came when I ran out of room on my shelf that holds my knitting books and stuff. I already had a little file cart so I decided to put it to use! I already had the 6 drawer thing too. I made labels for each category with my Dymo labeler and Voila....organized. I did leave the patterns already in the binders where they are. I plan to go through my magazines and pull out some patterns. The binders are in the bottom drawer of the file cart.



































Now I have room on my book case for almost all my knitting books!











Last but not least, my yarn stash is in an old dresser we got from my sister-in-law that's in my closet. Right now I've got them organized by weight but I may have to rearrange once I get more sock yarn. It's pretty packed in there. I have a big plastic tub with a lid FULL of worsted that I won't show, I do have my pride! I also have some in a hanging shoe organizer but it's almost full now.
Where will I go when it's full?
I don't know. Maybe I'll take the Harlot's advice and start stuffing the sleeves of my unused clothing.
I'm thinking I might go through and bag up all my acrylic and get rid of it. I don't really like to use it any more.





































That is all.

This is why...

I jumped onto the Loopy Ewe site last night.....have a gander what I got yesterday in the mail-















Isn't it lovely? The camera really doesn't do it justice.

I had to get more.

Don't tell my husband ;)

Thank goodness for College basketball...he was so busy watching the Zags win he didn't even notice I was in a furious session of stash enhancement!

Oh, yarny love.

I just experienced drive-by yarn buying.

It was exhilarating, it was thrilling...dog eat dog fiber loving yarnies snatching up skeins as fast as the page could refresh!

The Loopy Ewe's new yarn shipment site update.....it was the event of the evening.

I got some booty though....3 colorways are on their way to enhance my stash in the most beautiful way!

Fun was had by all!

I'm exhausted...but happy :)

Monday

Tonight the Loopy Ewe is putting up some new yarns for sale. So I'm going to try to jump on and get some goodies!
I didn't get a chance to do any knitting this weekend. Mostly because I was busy organizing my knitting supplies and books and creating this blog.

I need to get Jon's hat finished and get started on DDs clogs before the weather starts getting warm again.

My order from Loopy Ewe should get here today!! I'm so excited to squish and squeeze and smell the yarn. And to touch and see the needles too....oh joy! I think I'll switch out the needles I'm using on my Jaywalkers so I can start using the new ones right away. Here's a picture of them so far...














I'm using Opal Prism. The color is really nice in person and it's much softer than I thought it would be. I love this pattern and I plan to make more than one pair with it.

Here's what Snowshoe's doing today...















Isn't she cute?

Journal just for Knitting

This blog will be just for knitting. I already have another blog for chatting about other things...but I can't put fun buttons and stuff on it like I want to do with this one. No one might read this but me, but I will make it available to all my knitting friends out there.

I'll Knit for life and live to knit!