Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Where everybody knows your name...

I am back from a QUICK trip in Washington DC and had a BLAST!!





My day started out in Knit Happens, an adorable LYS in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia.






It has a Cheers feeling in there. Everyone is exceptionally friendly and helpful. Thank you Rossana, Stephanie, and Holly for making feel so welcome! I started yet another Wendy Johnson Toe Up with Neighborhood Fiber Co (a DC dyer) in Capitol Hill. People were not just customers in Knit Happens but friends hanging out sharing their personal lives with one another and knitting. I'm definitely going back for a visit!




A few hours later, Amy and I were enroute to the brand new DC Nationals' stadium for Stitch and Pitch. This was the first time I have EVER seen any political statements at a BASEBALL game...



The Tim Russert tribute during game was moving. Everyone stopped to wave hats and or needles.


I was really impressed with the amount of sock knitters in the vicinity. There were folks doing toe up and cuff down socks on both sides and behind me!





Guess who else was enjoying the game??? At about the 6th or 7th inning, I hear, "That's my yarn!" At the end of the row, is Karida Collins of Neighborhood Fiber Co. She dyes fantastic colourways and names them after neighborhoods in DC. I could not pass on the oppurtunity of snapping a photo of sock in progress with the person who had dyed it! If you are not in DC/Alexandria area, don't fret. You too can get your hands on Karida's lovely creations SOON at the Loopy Ewe.

Speaking of the Loopy Ewe....someone please help me from buying something this week please!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Meme

I don't usually do these things (I'm kind of shy) but it looked kind of fun. I was tagged by Amy (fellow Spring Flinger).

The rules:

Rules of the game are posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.



1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

A: I came home to the US to live and work.

2.What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order)?

A: Laundry, book my flight to DC, shower, start another pair of socks from my stash, read

3. Snacks I enjoy?

A: Grapes, celery, carrots, raisins, almonds, and sunflower seeds

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

A: Nothing different from what I am doing now: traveling and knitting.

5. Places I have lived?

A: Houston, TX, Albuquerque, NM, Limeira, SP, Brazil, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil, Salvador, BA, Brazil

6. Jobs I've had?

A: I've waited tables, taught English, worked LOTS of retail and worked as an interpreter of Spanish and Portuguese.

7. Peeps I want to know more about?

A: Claire,Sarah, Lynda,Kellie, Carmen, Mo, Stacy

Really, is it June??

May was a busy, busy month. New Orleans was a GREAT time. As always, Stevie Wonder puts on a spectacular show.




Stevie and his daughter, Aisha before the show started...and it POURED...The rain did not stop me from dancing and singing along for the duration of the show!

The next day, I ran around the French Quarter for a cup of coffee and the Quarter Stitch. I can't just GO somewhere and NOT buy some fiber-goodness!



The Quarter Stitch is an adorable knitting store a block from Jackson Square. The ladies that own in are rather friendly and helpful.



Every purchase you make is wrapped in bright tissue and ribbon as such:



These are a couple skeins of worsted Malabrigo in violetas that I bought for my swap partner in Portugal. Hopefully, she likes it...

Because the flights were so full going to and from New Orleans, I chose to drive (actually be a passenger because I hate driving). So, I managed to finish one toe up-no purl Monkey.



Now, if only I can finish its partner...

At the end of the month, I went to St. Louis for Stitch and Pitch. I had planned to revisit Sheri at the Loopy Ewe and do a yarn crawl around St. Louis before the game.
Unfortunately, my buddy, Greg and I had a falling out of sorts. So, that left me on my own, carless. The falling out aside, I had a great time. My name was entered in a drawing to go on the field during batting practice and I WON!






This would be Tony LaRussa (the Cardinals' manager) and Mike Shannon interviewing him.




I started the mate of some toe ups by Wendy Johnson.



Knitters to left, knitters to the right...It was BLISS!




I was running up to grab a beer and ran into Jennifer (who used to frequent the Houston Stitch and Bitch and lives in St. Louis).




I finished the my toe ups a couple of weeks ago. I used a size 1, Duets' Sock Yarn Middy in Aubergine Willow

I started 2 more pairs of Wendy Johnson's plain toe up socks with gusset heel. Good ole stockinette is the best for watching movies, baseball, work....




This is Claudia Handpaints Purple Earth worked on a size 1.



This is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Jungle Stripe. Now, since I have a BUNCH (i.e. 3 skeins), I decided to make knee highs. We'll see how the shaping goes for the calf... Oh, the cute bag you see was acquired from SewBendy. Actually, I wound up with two of these adorable bags in a matter of two weeks. I love the fact that I can stand in line anywhere, knit, and not have to fiddle with yarn and notions falling out. Thanks Staci for the recommendation!

Tomorrow, I am off for Stitch and Pitch in Washington DC. Off to pack...

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Spring Fling

What a weekend! I have never made 60+ instant friends in one weekend. The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling was truly lots of fun and SO well organized! Sheri and her elves REALLY out did themselves. I was truly impressed and happy how the weekend went. I still can't believe it is over.



Upon checking in Thursday, we were given a lovely Loopy goodie bag with fabulous contents: a skein of the infamous Wollmeise (BTW,Claudia came all the way from Germany for this event!), a Cookie A pattern, a Wendy Knits pattern, a RED Loopy Ewe coffee mug, Everything Balm, and a couple of sampler skeins and pattern from Claudia Handpaints and Cherry Tree Hill.

My Friday consisted of a class in the morning with Wendy. I learned how to cast on using Judy's Magic Cast On. Prior to taking this class, I have been averse to toe up socks because I found the toe a tad messy looking (I used the figure 8 method). But now....WOW! I am totally a toe up convert! Thanks Wendy! After lunch, I took a class from Cookie A. She taught us how to go about designing a sock. After taking her class, it isn't that difficult, really.




Friday afternoon, I finished my garter rib socks.



A closeup shot on the detail. These were a quick knit. I'm contemplating doing these toe up!



With the newly acquired knowledge of Judy's Magic Cast On, I started a pair of toe up, no purl Monkey's in Cherry Tree Hill's Monet. I'm loving how I can try it on whenever I want to check for fit!



Saturday, I visited Loopy Central. Wow, Loopy Central has grown since it was in Sheri's basement!






Ahem, more additions to my stash.




Saturday night consisted of more knitting and a lovely tour all the floors of the hotel where we were staying. Ah yes...I forgot to mention the other events taking place in addition to the Spring Fling: a mini-liquor convention and a children's beauty pagent. Surprisingly enough, the liquor convention attendees were tame. Now, the parents of the children's beauty pagent...Well, let's just say, it was very,very,very sad, disturbing, and seemed to me, borderline child exploitation. These folks decorated the outside of their doors at the hotel. Some doors actually had BASKETS of candy for other hotel patrons.



I don't know which was worse: actually SEEING these scantily clad two year olds with caked on makeup for the swimsuit competition or photos of these kids. Either way it gave me the heebies.




Sunday afternoon, I caught a Cardninals/Astros baseball game with Amy. The Cards won 5-1!

I have been home for a couple of days and am running around trying to get everything done before I leave tomorrow morning for New Orleans. Please don't let it RAIN!!

Swaps...I am involved in more swaps than I can shake a stick at! I received some lovely goodies from Keri at the Spring Fling. Upon arrival from St. Louis, I had a box waiting for me from Jessi (Caffeine addicts group on Ravelry). I will post more photos and details when I get back. Off to pack my bags for NOLA!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Itchy feet

Staying in town for too long almost ALWAYS gets me into trouble whether I'm trying/like it or not...(i.e. car accidents, sick people, crappy work stuff, etc).

So, my response to trouble: leave town. I'm leaving for St. Louis next week for the Loopy Ewe Spring Fling Retreat. A weekend of knitting, HOORAY! I can hardly wait!

The following weekend, I will be grooving at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. It's been 8 years since I had the oppurtunity to go and this year Stevie Wonder will be there (I adore Stevie's music)!

Since I last blogged, I have been working on all sorts of stuff. The only completed item is this lonely pair of plain ole socks.



These plain ole socks were made on 1s with Austermann Step on 1s. I must say I was skeptical about the hype, regarding the softness and etc. After knitting a pair of socks, washing and wearing them, I must say: YUM.

I started yet another pair of socks a couple of weeks ago.



These are a garter rib, on 1s, and Online Supersock. I'm working on the gusset on this bad boy's mate. I'm trying to venture out from my normal green/purple sock phase with BRIGHT and loud colours...

And last but not least:



Somehow, I was suckered into making this Forest Canopy Shawl for my coworker's mother. Actually, this is a quick knit and the pattern is EASY to memorize. I'm using 4s and ONE (that's right,one) skein of Malabrigo Lace.




Since, I have a ways to go and this requires some serious blocking, this is the best detail I'm able to show (unfortunately).

Friday, March 7, 2008

Earthquakes and snow don't get me down!

Earthquake rocks Athens
All co-workers are safe and accounted for in Athens, Greece (ATH) after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake lasting 15 seconds struck the area around noon today. BBC News reported no apparent casualties or damage (an excerpt from my companies' daily news update)

Yes, apparently this earthquake happened while I was on a plane from London to Athens. Actually, I did not find out about the earthquake until I got home and was skimming through my company emails..





It also turns out that the last time it snowed in Athens was FOUR years ago. Yes, FOUR years ago...Two days after I arrived, it snowed and snowed... Mind you, I came prepared for cold weather but definitely not snow and ice. Trust me, the snow and ice did not stop me from running around Athens at all (my black and purple bum will attest to that)!







This is Greece telling me to come back in the fall. ALL of the sites of ruins were closed due to snow and ice.


As close as I got to the Acropolis...




I did indeed run across SEVERAL yarn stores. I was a bit disappointed at first because all I kept finding was Italian yarn. I adore Italian yarn, but I was procuring Greek yarn. Finally, after the 5th attempt, I found Greek yarn...




Delfino is a brand of cotton and wool. Unfortunately, I will not be keeping any of these new acquistions...Yes, they are soon to be gifted...






The owners of these 2 stores were SO kind and helpful. For anyone with plans for Greece, I will be MORE than happy to give you the addresses for these two lovely yarn stores.


I did not get a lot of knitting done on this trip...It turns out knitting needles (addis, knit picks, any metal needles) are prohibited in your carry on luggage out of the UK, Greece, and Belgium.




Here is the Pee-Pee Boy, also known as the Mannekin Pis in Brussels. I was hoping that he would be dressed up in a costume but it was not a holiday.

Yes, Belgium...Let's talk about Brussels....I simply adored Brussels and plan to run back the next chance I get. The cafes, beer, chocolate, mussels, and ABUNDANCE of yarn stores, oh my....
And really, I had plans to go to Germany after Greece but the flights were SUPER full.

Off to catch up on my MANY UFOs..

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Greece, here I come!

Going to Peru just didn't work out due to a few flight cancellations (volcano ash, etc in Ecuador affecting stuff). So, I decided to hang out at home instead and shop! Yep, that's because I just NEED more yarn...Recent aquisitions:




From top left clockwise: Yarntini in Refresh (from the Loopy Ewe sock club), Online Supersocke in 999 (from Twisted Yarns), Yarn Pirate in I Want Candy (the latest Booty Club arrival), hand dyed by Amy in Teal, Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Monet (also from Twisted Yarns), and Malabrigo Worsted Merino in Jacinto (from Twisted Yarns).

Twisted Yarns was having an aniversary sale, so Susan, Jenny, Amy and I took a field trip to Spring, TX. It was such a lovely day with lunch in Old Town Spring, yarn stash enhancement, and knitting at Jenny's.

I promised myself that I would NOT cast on another project until I finished something. Well, with all this time on my hands (I'm on vacation from work), I finished :




Yarn: Yarn Pirate in Patience
Started: December 2007
Finished: Yesterday
Needles: 1s




Foliage from Knitty
Yarn: Worsted Malabrigo in Sealing Wax
Started: February 6, 2008
Finished: February 10, 2008
Needles: 7s and 5s

I am still plugging away at my RPM :




His mate will be started tonight..maybe.


Tomorrow I will be on a plane headed to Athens, Greece. With a country full of sheep and goats, I am sure to return will all SORTS of yarn-y goodies! Off to pack socks and stuff..

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Instant gratification

After MANY frustrating sessions of starting and ripping out my plain old sock in Killer Bees, I went ahead and ripped it out and stuffed it a drawer for some time out. No matter WHAT I did with it, the stupid sock STILL pooled!!

In order to appease my need for instant gratification...i.e. an actual FINISHED object or two, I decided hats would be a nice treat.




The Unoriginal hat
by Yarn Harlot was made with one skein of Rowan Big Wool in 25 on 11s. This was a quick, QUICK knit.



Greta by Ysolda was made with 2 skeins of Noro Cash Iroha on size 5s for the ribbing and 7s for the remainder. I actually had to pay attention to what I was doing while knitting this (i.e. NOT a mindless knitting project) but also quick to knit up. After making this cute hat/beret, I feel compelled to make more things with the Noro Cash Iroha, which is so, so soft.


I had purchased a skein of Noro's Kureyon sock yarn about a month ago and was not crazy about it. I really tried to like it. I couldn't get past the hard texture and the colorway I had chosen. So, I gave it away. Well, since then I had read up on it, broke down and bought another skein.. Yes, I am very glad I gave it another try. I got over the hard texture. Once it is knit up, it does indeed soften significantly. I started RPMs today and have not been able to put this down...Yes, the anticipation of what color will come up next is GREAT!





I am so in love with the purples and greens and the RPM shows off the beauty of these colors together. I'm so glad I came around...




This is the latest Booty Club arrival. Kalamata is a superwash merino that is begging to be transformed into Nutkin by Knitzi. However, I promised myself that I would not cast on anything else until I finished the projects currently on the needles...

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Up and running



I finally got my passport renewed. Hooray!! The traveling itch can once again be scratched... Now, I won't go into drama that transpired in the passport office. However, rest assured, I have BOTH my new passport (with my name spelled correctly, ahem) and my expired passport (with my VALID visas intact, another ahem).


It looks like the itinerary in the next couple of weeks is calling for a trip to South America. A bit of sun and relaxation in Colombia and some yarn fondling in Peru. I can hardly wait!!

So, I have been starting and ripping out and starting and ripping out a new sock in Yarn Pirate's Killer Bees (another Booty club exclusive) to get the sock to stripe and not pool so much. Wow, what a headache.
This is what I have come up with for now:



Now, I am not completely ecstatic with the striping but I don't exactly hate it either. I have not decided or not if I like the somewhat diagonal stripe. I'm using 2.5s. I have increased and decreased the number of stitches cast on. As I have tried different sized needles. Anyway, I'll keep on trucking with what I have for now until I hit the heel.

Oh, the lovely purple bag dressing up my new WIP is made by JapaneseHandmadeEtc. I simply adore smaller bags for the portable projects. One day I will learn to sew...

And for today's sock stash enhancement segment:







Crystal Palace Yarns in Merino 5 acquired from Loopy Ewe.



Perchance to Knit in Irises also acquired from Loopy Ewe. This little pretty came with an adorable stitch marker matching the Irises colorway. How smart!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Done!





I finished these Cedarbrook Socks Tuesday. They were worked on 0s and with Yarn Pirate's Cranberry Ice. Here is a upclose shot of the details.






The pattern and yarn were both included in last month's Loopy Ewe
sock club installment. This year, packages will be sent every OTHER month! I'm ecstatic!