Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Blanket

Since I fnished Mum's jersey in early May, I've completed quite a few projects. And not new projects, either (though there certainly some of those), but some that had been sitting around, neglected, for quite a while!

To the left here you'll see my mitred-square blanket, finished just one week shy of the one year anniversary of its cast-on! After much prevarication (and sitting half-completed for many months), this blanket (that I first mentioned here) is done. It is cosy and warm, and a big hit with Maddy. It (rather like the cat) graces the bed at night, and the sofa during the day. I'm really very pleased with it - and pleased to have the stash of yarn set aside for it gone!

Two pairs of socks were also completed, putting an end to the second-sock syndrome. One pair of brown socks in Naturally Sensation (a merino/angora blend), which I'm loving as bed socks. The other pair, in Naturally Vero Tweed, were sent off to my Mum! I did manage to get both of these completed before a year was up, but for the second pair (which I wrote about when finishing the first sock) it was a pretty close call!

Finishing these items, and unravelling a couple of things I absolutely knew I would never finish (because I no longer wanted them), meant that for probably the first time since I was a teenager, I did not have somthing half-finished somehwere! I've always had lots of things on the go, so it was not something I expected to revel in, but it gave me a great sense of control!

So, those new projects that I've finished recently and not blogged about, well, if you're on Ravelry, you can check out my Handspun Garter Mitts, Aspire Garter Mitts, Handpun Scarf, Vero Tweed Calorimetry, Hottie Cover, Mum's Felted Bag, the Brown & Turquoise Bag for my bag swap recipient, two simple beanies for KidsCan, and the Handspun Mittens I mentioned in the last post, and twelve pairs of preemie baby booties for charity.

Booties

Is it any wonder I haven't had much time to spin (or blog)?! Right now I'm working on some preemie mittens, and a jersey for myself (I got a bunch of this done on WWKIP day - check out Catherynne's nice recap of our day knitting in public on Waiheke)!. I have bought some new yarn, too, so another jumper or cardigan for myself should be coming along fairly soon, along with long queued socks and a beret! I wonder, however, how long this finishing thing will last...

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

A group of us from knit night have signed up for the Ravelry Summer of Socks knitalong.  There are various contests including most socks knit, and best socks on vacation photos.  While I'm not going to fool myself into thinking I have any chance at the most socks knit, there may be some other categories for me.  But winning doesn't really matter, it's more about being inspired and challenged by other sock knitters, trying out new patterns, and, of course, attempting to make a dent into that sock stash!

In preparation for the knitalong, which starts on the first day of summer, I've been trying to finish up what I've got on the needles.  The Monkey Kaw Kaws are done!

Monkey

The second Leafling is still on the needles, but it's getting there.  I love the squishy heel on this sock.  (Pardon the blurry photo.)

Leafling

Malabrigo sock

Wollmeise Rittersporn

-Terre

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I wonder how many independent and stubborn knitters in the world who, like myself, have all but banned the books written by the 'most popular' modern-day Knitting Gurus from their bookshelves because they see it as hopping on a bandwagon, going main-stream or being too trendy for them.

I have to admit...I never had the desire to read any of the Yarn Harlot's stuff before today. 

Yarn Harlot Casts Off

 I thought it was cool for her to get to have photos of thousands of people holding her socks, or her holding other's socks in progress on the needles (as is her signature move) while she travels to speaking engagements all across the globe.  I guess I felt like she must have enough fans without me becoming one.  Does that make any sense?  Maybe it was jealousy.  Maybe I felt like it should be me.

I don't know...anyway...here's where the Traveling Mercies post title comes in.  Today at the library, I came across one of her books called Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off - The Yarn Harlot's Guide to the Land of Knitting.  Now, anything having to do with traveling just intrigues me.  Well, this was a knitting book with a travel theme!  Doubly interesting!  When I scanned through the book, I noticed the clever way she compared knitting to traveling.  It really got my attention.  So, I checked it out. 

I came home and started to read it.  I was extremely INTO the book, almost instantly.  I thought to myself, "Oh no.  I'm becoming a Yarn Harlot Fan!"  Argh!!!!  The thing that I didn't want to do!  I didn't want to become some sort of freaky fanatic who drives three hours to get my photo taken holding a Yarn Harlot sock!  I didn't want to give up being 'too avant-garde for the Best Seller List Club'. 

Then, I saw them...three or four words within the first few chapters.  Words that you don't want your young children repeating.  As harmless as they are to most people in today's society, the words suck, hell and crap were never allowed in our vocabulary growing up.  I don't even use them to this day out of respect for my elders (who probably blurt them out on a regular basis by now)...in fact this post is the first time in 35 years that I have ever spelled them out in that context.  It's just the ultra-moral conservative code I have made for myself. 

So...NOW I have a reason to retreat, right?  NOW I have a reason to put the book down.   I mean, I WILL NOT read such things written by someone called a Yarn HARLOT!

Would you believe, two years ago, I would have stopped reading at the first offensive word?  In fact, I may not have checked it out at all for the sake of the moniker 'Yarn Harlot' alone.  It's true!  That's how I lived my life.  You couldn't say 'butt' in my presence without me either sneering, scolding or marking you as an uncouth lout for using such a word.  "We don't say that word...say 'bottom' or 'rear-end'".  Seriously, you know people like that, don't you?  Are you such an individual?

Craftster Ad

Well, I am so proud to say that within the last two years I have certainly mellowed and learned a lot about acceptance, tolerance and love.  Can you guess from where I've learned these things?  Well, I'll tell you...from a wonderful on-line crafting community.  I joined Craftster.org about two years ago and it opened my eyes to different cultures, ways of life and camaraderie that I had never known before.  I quickly found that I could either cancel my membership because I saw some posts with words that I didn't like to read and realized that some folks there were of different sexual and religious persuasions than I was, or I could stay in that super-creative atmosphere and learn so much from crafters from all over the world.  Obviously, I decided to stick it out and not run away from fear of the unknown. I tell you, I learned a lot more than great crafting techniques there.  I seriously learned to connect with and not 'disconnect' from people who did some of the things in the morally grey area that I saw as 'wrong' in the morally black and white world in which I lived.

So, my friends and family...I'm a changed woman.  I know some of you who are  'on the straight and narrow' will be just as narrow as I used to be in your thoughts about my revelation, but I really can't help that.  You may think, "Well, that's what she gets for consorting with sinners."   I know that's what you might be thinking because I had the same thoughts you do about it for the first 30 years of my cognitive-thought life. It's what I was taught. Oh...and if you are offended and think that I could not be referring to YOU, then chill!  I must not be talking about you.  Hee-hee.   

Obviously, not everyone can relate to this way of thinking...but I really used to feel sorry for people like me.  I felt as though they had lost 'the righteous way'...and had fallen into a sea of mediocrity. Please, my dear family and long-time church-going friends...may I put your mind at ease?  I feel set free!  I have had a world of people put before me and I've been asked to love them, genuinely.  And only now can I love them, faults and all.  So, be encouraged...because that means that I can even love myself now.  My imperfect self...and even you, too!  :-)  Even if you say the word 'butt'!  Whoa! 

So...back on topic.  Today, I've become a Yarn Harlot fan. You may even see a photo some day of me standing next to her with a sock in both of our hands!  I can't wait to finish reading this book.  It even made me cry two times thus far.  Not because it's sad in any way...but I had to shed a few tears for being blessed with the Traveling Mercies that have led me to a greater love of people, art, hobbies, excellent authors, traveling, culture, tolerance and humility. 

I am forever your humble creative friend,

RM  

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Twist Collective, a new initiative that I am very proud to be part of. Launching August 1, 2008.

Tc

Check out sneak peeks - every day more to see!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I've been using those not so pretty plastic stitch markers forever -- even those funky looking pink things.  I've never been crazy about them, but didn't think I had any choice until I started seeing photos of cute pretty stitch markers that knitters were using on Ravelry.  I was almost too embarrassed to post a photo of my Clapotis because I was using the plastic markers.  Then I realized I could purchase some prettly little markers, or better yet, break out those beading supplies that have been collecting dust in my closet since the early nineties, and make my own!

glass bead stitch markers

more glass stitch markers

Only problem is, it takes time away from knitting.  Now to make enough for my Clapotis -- which is still a WIP after months and months...

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

A week ago Saturday was Color:  A Fiber Festival.  A festival that I hosted along with friends and vendors A Verb for Keeping Warm, Girl on the Rocks, Pigeonroof Studios, and Tactile.  It was a warm sunny day, just perfect for some fiber, knitting, spinning, and weaving fun.

set up 2

The morning started bright and early with setting up our main room.

set up 3

The show got underway at 10 am and we had people waiting to get it!

pigeonroof 3

This is what Krista's roving looked like after 30 minutes!  Trust me, there was a whole lot more there when she started.  I think Kathleen was the lucky one to get the last of the roving.

pigeonroof 4

Thankfully, Krista did have some sock yarn to sell for the rest of the day.  :)

We held 8 different classes through out the day; 3 drop spindle, 3 fiber tastings, and 2 how-to weavettes.

Brooke and Kristine introduced 30 people to spinning.  Yea!

spindle 3

A live action spindle shot.

spindle class

Our new spinners!

The fiber tastings focused on rare wool breeds, exotic fibers, and cellulose fibers and blends.

fiber sample 5

Fibers...

wheel 5

 + spinning = way too much fun!

wheel 23

So many fibers, so little time!

Karrie brought along her weavette looms and shared a new addiction skill.

weave 2

weave 3

Many folks came just for the opportunity to knit and spin with others.

spinners 2

 Ah, ladybugs!   I wants one.

knitting 8

 Socks!

knitting 4

 Handspun scarf in progress

mike

Say "Hi" to Mike.

wheel 25

Another wheel at work.

spindle 2

Kathleen's multi-colored spindle and some yummy roving.

All I can say is that I can not wait for out next Color!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Blue Moon's sock camp, Camp Crows' Feet, held last week on Orcas Island was the most amazing knitting experience, ever!  It's one of those things where you had to be there to fully understand this truly magical week filled with education, camp antics, knitting olympics, friendship, and fun, fun, fun!

socks, socks, socks and more socks...

Sock Yarn Heaven

Funky Sock Monkeys

dear friends, new friends, and celebrities

Here's the lady responsible for the wonderful event and all the beautiful Blue Moon yarns, Tina.

Tina (in green sweater)

Tina's Sockateers who helped make camp possible.

Sockateers

We even had camp counselors.  I am still in awe of the knitting knowledge and creativity that these women held, individually and collectively.  We were all fortunate that they shared.  Do you recognize these rock stars of knitting?

Rock Stars

The absolute best surprise of camp was arts and crafts day when Cockeyed the Sockateer unveiled her new Funky Sock Monkey pattern.  We all got patterns and enough STR Heavyweight to create our own small funky sock monkey.

Funky Monkey Friends

Funky Monkey Pals

We also worked on a charity blanket knitting project.  Four knitters simultaneously working on the same blanket.  I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Charity Knitting Project

My DH was so sweet -- he sent me a camp care package.

Camp Goodies

And, of course, there was much much more... But whatever happens at sock camp, stays at sock camp. :)  I will definitely be there again next year!

-Terre  

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I don't quite have the sock yarn stash that many out there do, but I certainly have more than I can knit for years to come.  For this month, I received shipments from Blue Moon and Zen String.  But before I show you the new stash, here's my progress on the Malabrigo socks:

Malabrigo Sock

I'm using a stitch pattern from Nancy Bush's Heelless Sleeping Socks from her book Knitting Vintage Socks.  The lighter weight yarn is growing on me, but I'd still rather knit with something a bit heavier.  I'm making this exception because it is, after all, yummy Malabrigo!

And now, on to stash enhancement for March.  Zen Strings Bambewe (merino, bamboo and nylon blend) in Kiwi:

Bambewe

Blue Moon's Socks that Rock Mediumweight Lucky:

STR Rockin Sock Club Mar 08

-Terre

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

i have decided to grace vox with my presence.  *grins*  i never think about updating here when i finish something!  But here I am... I will post some pictures of some FO's.  I guess I just assume everyone could just look at my stuff on ravelry if they realllly wanted too.  but alas, i like reading about everyone else's FOs on their blogs too... and ya'll are just like me i bet!   so how about some pictures?

i did a test knit for a yarnie... she sent me the yarn and i knitted her some socks.  i'll get free yarn when i decide what i want from her store.  which reminds me: *stalks etsy store*   I was aggravated with all the patterns I came up with for this sock, and finally Amy came to my rescue (AGAIN!) and I went with the cables, yo pattern.  it's a really speedy pattern, i do recommend it for everyone!  It's in Sensational Knitted Socks book. 

IMG_0889

IMG_0890

and some in progress shots:

sock1

bottom of sock

the yarn didnt really do what i wanted, but eh, what can ya do? yarn has a mind of it's own sometimes!  I will knit this pattern again for myself sometime.

Hmmm, what else have I finished lately?  I made Derek some thick wool socks to wear when he hunts... they took me all winter to make.  Ha, oh well!  I knitted them toe up so that they'd fit him.

IMG_0789

IMG_0786

you can see, especially in that second photo, that they are definitely 2 different dyelots.  Which the yarn is Arcuiania or however you spell that, and the labels say that they dont do dyelots... but yeah, definite difference there... but it's ok... as i said, only going to be stuffed into hiking boots. hopefully he likes them and hopefully they dont felt too badly when he wears them.

let me see if there is anything else in the flickr album...

shoes 1

oh those are my new shoes... i LOVE them!

shoes 2

And it snowed here the other week or so...and I finally got a good snow picture after messing around with all the settings on my camera... it was snowing soooo much when i took this.

IMG_0819

and here is some individual snowflakes that I grabbed on macro with my cam:

IMG_0758 copy

IMG_0757 copy

oh my goodness!  I DIDNT POST HERE ABOUT MY MARIGOLDS!  yikes!  and I did the first one in january when aya came to visit!   I am working on the second one right now.

marigolds pattern

IMG_0744

it's Hill Country yarns and I love it... i love the colors and it's soft and fuffy.  it's just great to work with! I cant wait to have the 2nd one done too!

i also have this lacy scarf dealio on the needles.... i saw this pattern (omo scarf) on ravelry and it was so pretty in some cashmere yarn.... but the only DK wgt yarn I had is this pink berroco (cotton) so I went with it...it's not my favorite thing... but it's not for me anyways.  I have quite a bit more done on it since this picture was taking...almost thru the first skein.  i really suggest you look at the patter in other yarns.  maybe blocking this will help some too.  HAHA, and if you notice, I was using pretty bamboo needles, that I got for free, on it... but dang! SO SLOW!  I have since switched to my knitpicks circs and it's zooming along now.

IMG_0739

IMG_0741

the color is more darker pink than a purple pink.  i couldnt get it right.

here is a funky picture of me and derek at the arch, while amy was here.  i think at this angle, everyone has several chins! LOL

the arch, STL

Hmmm... the purple Hill Country yarn up there, Amy got me for my bday/xmas... but she also got me this beautiful STR yarn too... it's so pretty!  Hopefully I can find a pattern to do it justice!

IMG_0679

STR SpaceDust

GEEZ I'm posting tons of pictures today!

me and my aya, while she was here visiting!  I MISS YOU COME BACK RIGHT NOW!

IMG_0673

does anyone even remember the never ending pinwheel blanket?  did i ever post this picture?  this little baby was about a week old when the picture was taken...he's 3 months old now! 

pinwheel blanket

OK!  that's it... that's enough!   See ya in another month! ;)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend