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).