Told ya I've been busy...

What started out as a hat for "Solly", became a hat for Benny...but it's done! "Design Element" and all! I decided this 'design element' was a bit too much to be smack-dab in the middle of the hat, but perhaps it will look kinda cute off to the side?

I hear Nartian's Monkey 1 insisting this is too girlie, but hey-it is, what it is! And I think this little rascal will look quite cute in it!

Benny holding still only for a short moment while his cousin holds him!

And I am pleased to say that the Mystery Sock Through the Loops KAL socks are completed! In time for Christmas, nonetheless! So hopefully they make it in the mail to my buddy in time for Christmas!

Mystery Socks for my bud, Dana--Koigu PPPM

I was taking a lot of time off to spend at Lil' Emp's school doing crafty things. No pics to share cuz I was too busy to get shots of any of it!

And immediately following the crafting extravaganza week, there was the field trip/craft FAIR week. Tuesday was the Symphony and to balance the craziness out, Muir Woods and the peacefulness of still, clear water...

Maybe not all that peaceful chaperoning 9 kids, but it wasn't all that bad, either...

And even a banana slug to look at...or kiss!
(NOT ME!!! NO WAY!...but some of the kids did!)

Oh, then on Sunday there was a shower...

complete with yummilicious cupcakes that Cupcakefaerie would appreciate! (Cara's Cupcakes-hadn't tried those before...)

After the shower, I was able to slip down to Purlescence Yarns to replenish my BMFA stash with a Cookie Next Door, Alley Ooops and a heavyweight Brick!

I made it home to retrieve Lil' Emp from his aunt and dragged him out for some late-evening shopping at the Sports Basement in the Presidio and look what we saw as we drove home...


...what appeared to be a full moon...


And did I mention another project is underway?

Another gift cowl, using the lace pattern featured in the Cafe Au Laite mitts! (Thanks, Nartian-I wouldn't have used this pattern had I not seen your mitts!)

And below, a potpourri of sharing...

Cowl in progress, the new Solly Hat-almost done!, my KP blocking wires arrived!!!,
and...well...I ended up with the opportunity to help take a Peppermint Patty kit
off a fellow knitters hands-so I did!

So now to catch up on everything-and finally maybe get that shawl blocked?

Oh yeah, I fogot...

That I had also caved and placed an order with KnitPicks! The nickle plated sock DPNs were on sale and I was unable to pass it by. And the book sale was irresistable, as well. So of COURSE I had to add some worsted weight yarn for gift knitting to the order for free shipping!

As much as my intention was to knit the gifts from my stash, I realized my stash lacked dark colors for the soles of the loafers I want to make. So this should more than make up for the deficiency.

But when the order arrived, I was actually surprised...
who would know that 22 50-g. skeins takes up so much space!

And lack of disciplined prevailed when I cast-on for some mocassin socks...

EZ mocassin socks started!

Mail call! And all the other good stuff...

OK, I've got mitts to knit, 2 pants to hem, swatches to swatch and wash, blah, blah, blah...but-I had to take the time to share some stuff I got recently...

I didn't think to blog this order and then realized-why not? Is not Knitpicks blog-worthy? I'm not a yarn snob, but I guess it is so much easier to gush over handpainted stuff that is more "one-of-a-kind" than to gush over less expensive, massively available yarny purchases! Nonetheless, yarn is yarn and we loveses our yarn!

I think I shared that I'm participating in Secret of the Stole II? If not, well-there you have it-I am! I needed some yarn for it and didn't have enough of any one laceweight that was appropriate for this project.

Enter our good ol' standby, Knitpicks for affordability and good, basic yarn! For less than $8, I got enough of the 'clearance' color for the stole. Of course, I had to meet the minimum for free shipping, so it was really more of a $40 purchase...(Nartian threw in some circs to my order, so that saved me a bit!)

So here's what I got:

In the rear, already wound, "Shadow" in the clearance color "Redwood Forest Heather". Dang, but this color is excellent and so much nicer looking than the pic shown on-line! Glad I went 'cheap' to save the .50 per skein, cuz I really do love this colorway!

Being inspired to make more Dashings, I purchased the aran tweed yarns, not realizing that Dashing calls for DK weight! Yes, Dashings, the cousins to "Fetching" is knit with DK weight, folks, NOT aran/bulky, as is the recommended yarn for Fetchings! Go figure. Someone'd better read her patterns more carefully next time!-lol! No worries, cuz I've done one in a Jo Sharp Aran and was able to alter it to work out.


Save the best for last, yes? Look what else arrived one day...what could be in this lovely package, sent to me from British Columbia?...
Look at the wonderful goodies I got from Spinnybunt's PIF! Not only a handmade item, but YARN!!! And an awesome color that I love!

And in case you don't see what she made, it's a needlecase that she beaded! Look at all the gorgeous detail!

Sorry folks, there is no way I can hold a candle to this, so don't make this the standard for my PIF!

So while we are talking gorgeous yarns, look what Nartian gave me for Christmas? It's from The Knittery and is her merino/cashmere yarn! I love this stuff-it is so soft! And look at this color-it's the "Autumn" colorway! Nartian-you are awesome! Thanks for a wonderful gift!


So remember the Fetchings and Dashings I need to work on? Well, one more pair of Fetchings down, 1/2 a Dashing complete, and a few more to go...


Oh-and about the Knitting New Scarves book I posted about earlier, with the crappy pics--I found all the good pics from the book here, in case you want a better look-see,,, Just goes to show what a bit of sleuthing will result in! Actually, it's kinda dumb that one should have to work so hard to find pics that only promote the desire for this awesome book!

And what I didn't post? The latest Rockin' Sock Club shipment! But I think most of you got that same kit, so I'll wait on it for now. Afterall, I've tortured you enough with yet another lengthy post and I need to go hem some pants!