A toucan exploded on my yarn

Yesterday I dyed some Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks with Kool Aid. Though fun and yummy smelling, the result was something only a hippy would appreciate. Hmm, Santa Cruz is just over the hill...


Soaking the yarn (looks like spaghetti!) in hot water with some Wool Mix
Posted by Picasa

I dissolved two packets of each flavor in about 3 tablespoons of hot water, then used a turkey baster to apply the colors (rinsing out between colors). I originally wanted only the pink, yellow, and green, but I ran out of color before I got to the end, so I had to use the blue to fill in the rest.


Soarin' Strawberry Lemonade, Lemonade, Lemon-Lime, Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade
Posted by Picasa

It smells great, but good lord... what am I supposed to do with something this hideous?!


Hung out to dry
Posted by Picasa

Here's what $45 will get you at Knit Picks

Okay, it was $46 dollars and some change, but you get my drift...


Clockwise from top left: 4 Wool of the Andes (1 each in daffodil, fern, pumpkin, holllyberry); 3 Wool of the Andes Natural (for Kool Aid dyeing); 2 Crayon in Blue; 3 Crayon in Light Blue; 1 Shimmer in Happy Dance; 4 Andean Treasure in Sunset
Posted by Picasa

I'm so pissed! I just went to their website and discovered a couple new yarns out! What the hell?! They just sent me a catalog in the mail last week with no mention of this. I've already announced that I will have to place another order. Good thing the free shipping is for orders over $30. I like free shipping.

Success or not?

I'm a perfectionist. If you don't plan on doing it right, don't do it at all. That's basically how I operate. No wonder I'm a stress case.

But when it comes to knitting, felting your knit goods means you have to throw a bit of caution to the wind and just hope it all turns out. Not something I'm used to doing, but the felting process has some really good upsides - you can be a bit sloppy since it all becomes one smooth fabric.

Before I felted the Canteen bag, both the front and back pieces (rust and red) were exactly the same size, and of course were the same number of rounds and stitches. Somehow, though, the back ended up shrinking waaay more than the front. I haven't decided how much that bothers me.


Front of Canteen bag
Posted by Picasa


Flap up view
Posted by Picasa


Back view
Posted by Picasa

I have two theories about why this happened. Theory Number One - when knitting the side (green), you simultaneously join the front and back pieces to it by picking up stitches and knitting them together with the side. I think that something in this process contributed to the back side being more tightly felted together with the side. You can sorta see that there's a bigger ridge on the back side where they meet, as opposed to the front.

Theory Number Two - since I used two different colors for the front and back, perhaps the red just shrinks more than the orange? I'd be interested to know what would happen if I tried this again using the same color for front and back.

Specs: Canteen bag knit with Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, colors Loden Leaf, Medieval Red, and Rust (1 skein each); needles US #11 (Clover bamboo); gauge 3 sts/inch

A couple surprises

Let me start by reiterating how skanky our current place is. Here in CA, there are a lot of places with old and weird floor plans. For instance, our laundry room is outside... and it's in the FRONT of our house! How messed up is that?!

When I do laundry, I'd prefer it to be in a relatively clean environment. But since ours is in a weird outdoor room, I often find moths in the cabinets. When they die and fall on the floor, the ants come and feast. Then they get thirsty and decide to crawl all over our washing machine. You have to wipe them up before doing a load.

Then today, I went out there and I found a few friends waiting for me. A spider decided to have babies under the cabinet. Lovely.


I love where I live
Posted by Picasa

Ok, on to better things. I was browsing the latest Interweave Knits magazine and decided to try knitting the Canteen Bag by Rachel Battaglia Nissen using some Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky I had in my stash. I was truly surprised at how fast this thing knit up! I'm a super slow knitter, and it only took me about 2.5 evenings. I'll post pics after I felt it.


front of canteen bag, before felting
Posted by Picasa


Back of canteen bag, before felting
Posted by Picasa

Another side project I'd been working on is a little cardigan sweater for our new kid, Jake. We got Jake in Arizona and he'd been complaining since arriving in California that it's too cold here! So, I took his measurements (which was easy since stuffed animals have seams you can follow), and grabbed some Andean Silk from Knit Picks in the color Yarrow. Since he's sort of triangular-shaped, I knew I'd have to make it a raglan sweater. The back photo really shows the raglan decreases, and the moss stitch edging. Of course, now all the other kids are jealous.


Jake in his new sweater
Posted by Picasa


Back of Jake's sweater
Posted by Picasa

Hip hip hurray!

It's a freakin' miracle. I actually finished something. Granted, there was very little finishing involved with Anouk, but still. I'm really pleased with the results, though I still need to put buttons on it. No hurry on that, though, since it's not going to anyone in particular. Finding buttons will require taking the item to the store and making a perfect match. I'll be more motivated to do that once there's an actual baby involved. Anyone know a newborn girl?


Anouk completed (almost)!
Posted by Picasa

The Cascade Pima Melange is really soft, though my only gripe would be that it did tend to come un-twisted, so I was constantly twisting the yarn back into shape. Having it in your hands, feeling the softness between your fingers, it instantly made me feel at ease in this time of stress and anxiety (we're waiting for some BIG news). Mom-in-law knows what I'm talking about.

As you can see, I also changed the color scheme from the original pattern. I wanted the main body color to be reddish pink, so I chose color number 195. I also switched out the flower color, and turned that into yellow number 295. I think they work well together!


Closeup of the flower pockets
Posted by Picasa

New additions

I got a call from my sister on Saturday, informing me that there was some sort of yarn conference (Stitches wannabe) going on in Oakland. Having realized that we had no plans for the weekend, we decided to make a day in the East Bay (hey, that rhymed!).

I'd been wanting to get my beloved Wayne Thiebaud posters dry mounted for some time now. With the possibility that we may leave the area soon, I wanted to get it done at the only place I know and trust - The Reprint Mint in Berkeley. And as luck would have it, we're going to be back in Berkeley for Ann's 30th birthday party on Friday, the very day the finished products will be ready for pick up!

So, after a quick stop to drop off the prints, we headed to the yarn conference. Yay. I love downtown Oakland. So safe, so lovely smelling when it's 90 degrees. But, I digress...

Though the market wasn't as good (or as large) as the one at Stitches, there was a good variety of handspun/hand dyed yarns. I don't like going to these special events and coming away with stuff I could have bought at my LYS or online. I go for the unusual items, the things I would have never even known about. And it's cool when the person who spun and dyed the yarn is standing right there in the booth, talking about the process.

I was torn between two spinners' yarns, but ended up leaving with these two skeins from Carolina Homespun. Why? Because I loved the colors and they were worsted/bulky weight. Oh, and they're super-soft.


Blue Moon Spinnery yummy yarns
Posted by Picasa

If you like pics, this one's for you

We just got back from our trip to Arizona, and I've got so many great pics to share! I'll get the knitting updates out of the way first, since this is primarily a knitblog.

I brought along 2 projects for the trip. The first was Anouk which I'm doing in Cascade Pima Melange (instead of the Pima Tencel it calls for). I think they are very similar, but I liked the softer, pigment-dyed looking colors of the Melange better. And it was really inexpensive from One Fine Yarn. I finished the front and one pocket, done in intarsia.


Anouk in Cascade Pima Melange (super soft!)
Posted by Picasa

The other project I worked on was the Spring Fling tank. The stitch marker I'm using is one that I got from my Secret Pal from SP4. Isn't it absolutely gorgeous against the color of the yarn?!


Spring Fling tank in GGH Esprit
Posted by Picasa

So when it's 116 degrees in Scottsdale, what else does one think of besides yarn? I actually hadn't planned on going yarn shopping, but there was a store very close to the Four Seasons. I picked up a couple balls of Mission Falls 1824 cotton on sale, and also one of my best finds - Sushi stitch markers!!!


Mission Falls 1824 Cotton
Posted by Picasa


The coolest stitch markers EVER!!!
Posted by Picasa

On one of the days, we took a day trip up to Sedona. The landscape was incredible, but the town itself was a bit touristy. We did a little shopping, and stumbled across this artist's figurines - he* fashions animals out of old car and truck hoods, and calls them 'Critters from the Hood'. Here's the little pooch we adopted. *I stand corrected! The artist is Janey Katz, a woman from New Mexico.


Sedona souvenir
Posted by Picasa


He's a 1970 Ford School Bus!!!
Posted by Picasa

Ok, now on to the vacation photos. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale - highly recommended. The bathroom alone was about the size of our bedroom back home! And it was well-appointed with L'Occitane products. I must also mention that there was a walk-in closet with all the usual amenities, plus a hamper and laundry detergent. Yeah, it was a large room.

The resort is sort of tucked away between two peaks, making for some lovely photo ops. Check 'em out!


Picture perfect Scottsdale sunset
Posted by Picasa


Dramatic desert sunset
Posted by Picasa


Just another lovely sunset
Posted by Picasa


The Four Seasons resort in Scottsdale
Posted by Picasa


Cool old artifacts decorate the landscape
Posted by Picasa


View of the central lawn area behind the lobby
Posted by Picasa


In front of our room was this gorgeous view, and a very tall cactus!
Posted by Picasa

Think small...

Since moving from our (relatively) BIG Texas house to our tiny California duplex, I've learned the fine art of downsizing. As a person who cherises uncluttered space and organization, this was really a challenge here. How do you fit an entire house into a duplex half the size?

I became very fond of the Container Store. They helped with big problems such as the lack of a pantry in the kitchen (solution: InterMetro industrial shelving). But most of the containers were more function, less aesthetics.

After making my first French Market bag to hold a good amount of yarn by my side while I sat on the sofa, I thought 'this thing is really useful AND cute!' I felted another piece, a bowl to hold candy, but I can't remember where I got the pattern.

That was all last year. Fast forward to yesterday, when I was out in the yard checking on the status of our cherry tomatoes and blueberries. Earlier in the season, I'd only been getting 1 or 2 fruits every couple of days. Imagine my surprise yesterday, when I came back in the house with a handful of tomatoes and my shorts pocket stuffed with fruit as well!

Sure, I could use a plastic bowl or something, but I immediately thought of the French Market bag. After all, it was born to hold nature's bounty. One problem, though - it was waaaay too big for the job. I only needed a bag about half the size. So what did I do? Yup. I halved the recipe.

This version is so freakin' cute I jotted down what I did exactly so that I could make more just like it. Not now, but maybe in another year when I'm in need of a container.


Mini FM bag, under the blueberries
Posted by Picasa

Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted, Autumn Harvest (MC) and Grey Heather (CC)
Needles: US #8
Finished Size: body height - 3.5”, handle height - 4” (total height - 7.5"), body circumference - 26”

Time flies when you're doing nothing

I know it's been forev since I've posted, but not much has been going on in the way of knitting and I don't think anyone reads this anyway. I fell into a period of "knitter's block" and didn't pick up the sticks for well over a week - very unusual if I'm not on vacation or something. I think it has to do with my overall feelings of anxiety and restlessness.

But, I finally found inspiration in a tank pattern from Rowan called Smooch. I know, I'm about 2 years behind the wave but it's new to me. The yarn called for is All Seasons Cotton (aka ASC), which I have in my stash, but I'm saving it for something a little more spectacular (sorry Smooch). Here's what it's supposed to look like:


Rowan Smooch tank
Posted by Picasa

I'm using the Lang Twin Color I scored on eBay earlier in the year for like 11 bucks (for all 6 balls!). The ball band says it knits at 15 stitches per 10 cm, but I think it makes a nice fabric at 17 stitches, which is the target gauge for Smooch. And here's what I've got going on so far:


Rowan Smooch tank in Lang Twin Color
Posted by Picasa


Close up of the lace and picot edging for Smooch
Posted by Picasa

Am I doing it wrong?

I don't know why I continue to take on crochet projects when it causes me so much pain. I think I refuse to believe I have a problem. Am I doing it wrong or something? Every time I crochet, I get incredible muscle soreness on the undersides of my forearms. That would be so sad if it was because I'm THAT out of shape!

So, progress has been slow on the Pouch Bag. I only do about 2 rounds a day, if that, but it has been increasingly difficult because the pattern is so boring. Usually, I enjoy having a mindless project to work on while watching TV, but since it's summer there's absolutely NOTHING on. I can't believe how much crap there is out there to fill the grid space!


Pouch bag in Barcelona linen yarn is progressing slowly....
Posted by Hello

I finished the baby sweater, sans buttons. I need to go get some, but since it's just something I worked on for fun (and not for any baby in particular), there's no rush to hit Jo-Ann. I think it could go either way (boy or girl), so perhaps I'll wait until it gets matched with a baby and choose the buttons accordingly.

I'm totally on this baby sweater kick right now. I don't know any babies to knit for, but I find myself wanting to knit mini-sweaters. It's got all the qualities that I look for in a project: fast knit, pattern changes occur more often, the dreaded finishing is over faster, and the golden key - it takes less yarn and is therefore, cheaper with less monetary commitment.

I really want to start another baby item, so I think I'll hit the books today. I meant to do so yesterday, but honestly, it was so hot that I couldn't do much of anything. The thought of holding yarn in my sweaty hands grossed me out, so what did I do? Played Ratchet and Clank, of course!

Forgive me, I'm not feeling well

I've been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting over the last week, but I started feeling icky the last couple days so I haven't posted anything about it. It was just too nice a day not to take advantage of the sunlight, so I thought I should take pics while I can (we practically live in a dungeon).

The weekend before last we stopped by Commuknity, a new yarn store that opened up in San Jose. I'd heard about it from the Bay Area Knitters ring, and was excited to check it out. It's much bigger in space than I expected, and they could certainly hold way more yarn in there if they wanted to. I liked the structure of the place a lot - it had a cool warehousey feel to it, kinda like the Pearl district in Portland or Yaletown in Vancouver.

Anyhow, I ended up buying the yarn, pattern, and a new hook for a crochet bag called the Pouch Bag. I saw the sample in the store and loved it. I really was hoping it wasn't done in Euroflax linen (because I got callouses when I used it to knit another bag for my sister), but of course it was Euroflax. I thought perhaps because it was crochet maybe it wouldn't be so bad, so I bought the materials. Besides, I LOVED the yarn I got - Barcelona in this cool mutli colored mix.


Bottom of the Pouch Bag in Euroflax Barcelona (sorry for the lack of focus)
Posted by Hello

I paused this project because the mesh started to bore me. I recently won a bunch of yarn on eBay and wanted to knit something with it. I was itching to do some pattern work, so I chose a baby sweater because it's small enough that I can finish it before I get bored of that as well! It is based on a pattern from the latest Knitty, but instead of cables I used a combination of knit/purl patterns - checkerboard, double diamonds, and a tree pattern. I kept the modified seed stitch pattern down the center because it looked really cool.


Back of baby sweater in Baruffa Maratona
Posted by Hello

What we did over Memorial Day weekend

Tapin' it up
Posted by Hello


Gibs is helping
Posted by Hello


The new look
Posted by Hello


Wow, that's really yellow
Posted by Hello

Nothing to see here, folks

It's been forever since I've posted because nothing terribly interesting has been going on. Eh, it's not like anyone reads this thing anyway... hahaha!

I haven't knitted in over a week. Major slump. I stopped working on the Tigger cardi because I know I don't have enough yarn to finish it, and I just spent a load on some eBay purchases, so I can't afford to buy the yarn to complete the project.

Also, I HATE knitting sleeves. It's always an uphill battle, with all those increases, every row takes longer than the last. Mentally, I can't handle it. I'm just that way - impatient. Add to that, the fact that I can't finish it anyway... and you have yet another UFO.

So what have I been up to? STILL planning our fall trip! I had our Canada thing all worked out, with all the hotels, air, and even the ferry schedules. Then one day last week, I stumbled across a link on American Airlines that mentioned something about added flights to Ireland. I seriously have no idea why I clicked on it, since I've never had any interest whatsoever in Ireland.

I quickly realized that there are some really nice, affordable places to stay there. Key word being "affordable". Compared to the rest of Europe, the standards in Ireland seem fairly high for what you pay for. Sure, some places are WAY spendy and according to TripAdvisor (my travel bible), not worth the money, but for the most part there are some great looking places in our price range.

More clicking drew me in, as I saw how beautiful the countryside is there. Now, I realize in October it will probably rain every day and a good deal of the scenery will be shrouded in fog, but that's okay. I'm much more tolerant of rain than I used to be. It's the gloominess that I'm worried about - I like sunshine! But apparently the people are friendly, so perhaps their cheeriness and humor will make the trip worthwhile.

We plan to fly in and out of Shannon airport. We want to hit The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle peninsula, Ring of Kerry, the southern coast to Kinsale/Cork/Cobh, then on to Caher/Cashel, and back through Limerick to Shannon airport. All this in 8 days/7 nights. It's definitely a driving trip, so a comfy car is a must (especially with my sore back). It'll be quite the adventure driving on the left - not me personally, but as a passenger. I hope we don't die.

We're so close to booking the trip. Once I'm done with all this intense research, maybe I'll finally get back to knitting. This trip planning has seriously been a full-time job for me. I really get into it, reading about everything and participating in forums, asking questions. It's been fun, but I'm ready to finalize things!

I'm happy to say that we did book our Scottsdale trip. We both really wanted to soak up some desert sun. 100+ degree weather... I can't wait!

Why don't I ever listen?

All the little tips I've heard over the years from fellow knitters, I somehow think of as "motherly advice". Which means, I'm likely not to listen to it (rebel that I am).

You know when your mother tells you to do something, and you know she's right, but you don't listen and later regret it? That's how I feel about that extra ball of yarn I didn't buy.

One side of the front for Tigger nearly gobbled up 1 ball, so I'm worried I'll run out of yarn! It does, however, look and feel grrrreat!


Tigger cardi
Posted by Hello

I'm a few inches done with the back, and about to run out of ball #2. I don't see how the other 3 balls will complete the back, front, and 2 sleeves! Yeesh. I'll have to place another order, hope it's the same dyelot, and give myself a spanking.

Knit, rip, repeat

I worked on the Tigger sweater last night and as I'm going along, I started thinking Gee, I know this is for a toddler and all, but this looks really small.

I decided to cross-check the measurements with other sweater patterns to see if it was written at a normal size. Based on other knitty patterns, Tigger seems to be on the small side, with chest measurements at 23-25" for sizes 2-3 respectively. All the other sweaters for size 2-3 came up with chest at around 28-30" on average, which was the measurement I was most concerned with.

So, I'm gonna go ahead and rip out what I've done so far (one front side), and start over using the pattern for size 4, which is written for chest at 27" and length at 15". It still seems kinda small, but I can't really go any bigger since I didn't purchase the extra ball you're supposed to buy. Tsk, tsk. And to think, it would have only been another $2.97!

Oh, and I'm using the same colors as in the pattern, which are gorgeous! The Zen Colors is especially beautiful, though I don't like its rough texture and I'm not a fan of ribbon/tape yarn (the twisting drives me insane).

Slackin'

I haven't posted that much lately because...well... I'm a total slacker! Besides, not much has been going on. I'm almost done with my blankie. It's starting to get heavy, so I know it's time to bind off. Just a few more rows while I watch the finale of The Amazing Race. Ugh, I just know Rob and Amber will win. Annoying.

I've also started a new "real" project. After meeting our friend's 2 year old daughter at a wedding recently, I just knew I had to knit her something. I decided to make Tigger from the knitty archive. When Skacel Luxor was on sale at Herrschner's last week for $2.97, I jumped right on it.

I just cast on yesterday, and had to go up a needle size to US 9 in order to get gauge. Even at that, the fabric produced is rather tightly knit so that it feels pretty hearty. I think that was on purpose, as it is for a toddler. So far, I'm loving this yarn! It's really soft, the colors are beautiful and change slightly for visual interest, and it's a quick knit (always a plus for someone with a short attention span like me!). I'll post pics once there's more progress to show.

Another thing I'm working on is planning out two upcoming trips. We want to take a short trip in the middle of summer, and another longer trip to British Columbia in September. We're still undecided about the exact location of the short trip, but we're thinking somewhere in the desert - either Phoenix area or Vegas. We're part of the small population that enjoys 100+ degree weather (dry heat). Good for us, that means low season rates at the Four Seasons!

We know we're going to Whistler to check out the new Four Seasons, and the idea was to tack on a few days for Vancouver Island to see Victoria and maybe Salt Spring Island. Problem is, I can't seem to find a hotel that suits us. I know we're some of the pickiest people around when it comes to lodging, but when you value sleep as much as we do, it kinda makes sense.

I'm starting to think we'd be happier if we just hung out in Vancouver and stayed at the Opus. At least we know what we'd be getting, and we absolutely love the city. I just feel like I need to explore new territory, and we've never been to any of the BC islands. I know, poor me...

I heart Bubs!
Posted by Hello

Sharing the love

I gotta give a shout out to the peeps at Sconehenge in Berkeley. For the last year, I've been buying a bundle of their scones as many weeks as I can. I've never been to the actual bakery, but these packaged goods are da biz-omb.


These rule
Posted by Hello

I heat them up in the toaster oven, for about 4 minutes at 300 degrees (the exact time it takes my coffee to brew in my french press!). They come out lightly crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. They are so unlike any other scone I've had. If you think scones are those dry, lumpy blobs reminiscent of a leather shoe, these scones will blow your mind. Try them if you're in the area. And no, I don't work for them. I just like to support small local businesses.


Mouth-watering closeup
Posted by Hello


Yarns of the month: Amazon by Manetto Hill, Unique by Wendy, Cashcotton by RY Classic, and Ingenua by Katia
Posted by Hello

Bonsai!!!!

So like, back in March when it was our 3 year anniversary, I got one of those mini-kits you see as an impulse buy at the register of Barnes and Noble. It was the mini bonsai kit, claiming to have everything you need to start your own bonsai.

Since we bought this fancy new digital camera, we said we wouldn't exchange gifts. Fine, except that I can't possibly not get something for him. Enter: bonsai kit. I figured we could grow our own pine tree on our anniversary and watch it grow and change over time, just like our marriage. Mike's a sucker for that sentimental symbolism crap. It was perfect.

Now, a little over a month since it left the safety of its plastic pouch, here are two perky pine seedlings. Hey, two seedlings - just like the two of us! Awwww.... (barf).


Two pines in a pod
Posted by Hello

And while we're on the topic of seedlings, check out how our cherry tomatoes are doing! They've got flowers and everything. But, their leaves have started to curl up. Apparently this is common for cherry tomatoes, particularly ones that grow in containers. Who knew.


Ch-ch-ch-cherry
Posted by Hello

Oh, and one more thing before I go... I heart Trader Joe's. I've been saying how I need like a basket or something to help me contain all these random balls of yarn I got goin' on for the blankie. As we're walking into TJ's, I see this pile of baskets that were perfect.


TJ completes me
Posted by Hello

Let me point out the details. The handle (which is solid, not woven) is hinged, so it folds down and out of the way when you're knitting. The basket is lined, so your yarns won't get snagged by the weave. And, the liner has two pockets built-in so you can stick a pair of scissors and a tape measure in there without them getting lost. The bottom is actually a solid cut of wood. Not that it makes much of a difference, but I thought it was a nice touch. And the best part? It was only $13.99! A deal like that just makes me giddy.

Indecision bliss

Well, I pretty much finished a cardigan I had been working on. I got to the very end, where it calls for scallop-edge crochet detail. I didn't get very far before my wrist started acting up. For some reason, when I crochet, my wrist cracks and I end up getting carpal tunnel. So there's a UFO on my side table. Waahhh!!

As I sat there wondering what to do next, I saw a yummy looking throw in The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits. Basically, it consists of knitting a single row of various yarns. At the beginning and end of each row, I've been knotting together the ends to secure and create fringe. This project sounded perfect, since I couldn't decide what yarn I wanted to work with.

I made a trip to my stash closet, and laid out all candidates. It appeared I had a lot of yarns in the green/brown category. I grouped together the "finalists" and started knitting! I've been picking a different yarn for each row, and deciding them as I go along. Here's what I have so far:


WIP - Design your own throw!
Posted by Hello

If anyone's interested, here's the list of yarns used (so far):
*Classic Elite Waterspun in Olive
*Lambs Pride Worsted in Old Sage
*Bernat Cameo in Aqua Heather
*GGH Soft Kid in 67 Dark Brown
*Crystal Palace Merino Frappe in 20B New Sage
*GGH Relax in Olive
*Elsebeth Lavold Angora in 15 Bronzed Green
*Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in 113 Russett
*Great Adirondack Softy in 113 Pheasant
*South West Trading Company Fur Real in Bear Cub
*K1C2 2nd Time Cotton in 772 Scottish Moor
*Gedifra Fashion Trend Stripe in 4668
*King Yarns Kiss in 504
*a few mystery yarns that I purchased back in Texas, one of which looks like Muench's Touch Me

More yarns will likely be added as I find other scraps in my stash!

Holy frijoles!

Boy, my (now not so Secret) pal, Lisa, really likes to go out with a bang! I'm still in shock over all the stuff she sent for my final package:


Last, but certainly not least!
Posted by Hello

There was also a tin of tea, but it didn't make the picture because I put it away after showing it off to Mike ('here, take a whiff of this - doesn't it smell good?!'). It was spiced apple cider tea. Mmmmm....

Okay, so here's the funny thing about this package:
1). I've been itching to do one last felting project before it really warms up, and I've been wanting this exact pattern for the Oregon tote, but never got around to it. Problem solved!
2). I've been curious about Lion Brand's Landscapes yarn, especially how it will felt, after seeing the Felted Pullover pattern in the Winter 2004 issue of Interweave Knits. Problem solved!
3). I've been hearing a lot of chatter about the kettle-dyed, handpainted yarns from Uruguay. I was about to place an order, but I think I got distracted because it never happened. Problem solved!
4). I've somehow lost about half of my stitch markers. The pretty ones at my LYS sell for $18/pair. Problem solved!
5). What girl doesn't love an endless supply of tea, soaps, candles, and lippy stuff?
Yeah, that last one isn't really a "problem". I just had to make it known that all this stuff is really yummy, and really appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lisa. You're awesome!

Our newest member of the flock

We survived 3 days at Disneyland, and a very "festive" wedding. Yeah, I gotta hand it to the Filipinos - they really know how to party! I think the last 5 days were the longest I have gone without knitting since I learned. I couldn't believe it, but there is life outside of knitting (barely)!

On the way back down to the OC from LA, we stopped in Long Beach to browse around Belmont Shore. We started heading to the beach when this crazy-ass chicken caught my eye in the window of a store. I had to ask about it, and discovered that it was made out of plastic soda pop labels from South Africa. I'm a sucker for the unusual, so I had to have it of course. There were worries that it might confuse the security folks at the airport, but it passed without incident.

I've named our new friend Nelson, after Nelson Mandela. I think he's a fine fowl and I'm happy to welcome him to our flock!


Recycled soda pop labels turned into a chicken!
Posted by Hello


Coke light? Yeah, it's from South Africa, alright.
Posted by Hello