One day, long ago...

There was a Sock Summit. The sock summit was a wonderful event filled with wonderful teachers, presentations, a competition to beat a World Record, yarn and other knitterly goodies--all related to SOCKS and SOCK KNITTING!

In attendance was the Ravelry gang which of course meant...a RAVELRY PARTY!!!

Yes, dear readers-THIS is the SS09 Ravelry Party update-months late! Don't worry, it'll be mostly pictures.

For that evening, a crew of us got to be "Team Rav"!

Me, Linda, Christine and Sarah of the Magic Loop fame

"We" hung banners...(Actually, the taller of the 'we' hung banners!  That would be Samro of KnitQuest)

 
Helped set up the PRIZE table!




And there were clever Rav fabric banners decorating the area...


  Jess and MaryHeather consulting on the game plan of the evening...

The party is starting up!-Purls Just Wanna Have Fun (Marisol), Deb, Linda, Susan, Alice and (name I can't remember but she's...) the Shaefer Yarn Rep

 

  Casey had brought quite a selection of brews.  An interesting fact:  you must have food at events involving liquor, so once you run out of food, the bar is closed down...We hoped the food would hold out!

 We guarded and distributed the Ravelry "Goodie Bags"...





HizKnits and HizGuy were there with Superstar Janie Sparkles (AK(in my mind)A: NOTBob!)  Yes, people, Bob IS a Boston Terrier (and I think, male...)  Janie Sparkles IS a French Bulldog (and I believe female...).  A bit of a difference, yet it was amazing how many times I would hear voices yelling, "IS THAT BOB?!" And not in a voice of disbelief that it coul d be him but more out of excitement that he should be present at the event!  And let's remember that this is a picture from far away...these people were exclaiming this as they stood in front of Janie AND this big Bob banner!
 
Purlescence Yarn presented with Mini Purl-Girl and Purl-Guy!   The Purl Girls were at another event.

And there was a drawing!  Lots of beautiful items from Lantern Moon, Buffalo Gold, Namaste and MORE...
Funny thing is that a LOT (and I'm talking a disproportionate number considering how many male knitters there are to female...) of men won!  Again, surprising only when you look at the statistics and I have no problem with more men winning.  But I do take exception to the one Vendor Dude who won some of that gorgeous Buffalo Gold-I suspect he is a non-Knitter; especially by the way he mockingly feined overenthusiasm and screachiness in running up to claim his prize.  I only hope that he knew a Knitter who understands the value of that fluffy gold carefully resting in the lovely box he was clutching.  Mock us NOT, non-knitting Vendor-Man!  We are your bread and butter!

And what was in this said goodie bag we all got?
A skein of Vintage Wood from Berocco, a pattern, reusable Namaste bag, silk-covered notepad, a pattern and other literature.  And, of course, the cute muslin bag!

And...bringing you up to date on current WIPs:

  Juliet is started and I am now into the lace portion!

Progress was temporarily interrupted this weekend by a quick hat for an ill cousin:

I like how my somewhat random striping pattern came out...and the top, though stitches are a bit uneven, turned out cool!

 Boy Hat pattern from Crystal Palace Merino 5 and other yarn, label of which has been misplaced!

And in my typical non-focused way, I started one of these gift sacks with the remaining Kureyon from my Clapotis...but I put it aside to focus on Juliet and the hat...

 

This is the sack pattern from this year's Interweave Knits Holiday Knitting edition

And this evening...back to Juliet!

 

 I'm hoping this will be completed by the end of this month!  If I continue my focus, it can easily happen.  Sixteen days to go...maybe I'll even get it done in time for Thanksgiving!

Happiness is... (or...the CASHMERE edition...!)

STASH JUSTIFICATION!!!

I had these two skeins of a pinky-red ArtYarns Cashmere, languishing in my stash. I had forgotten exactly what I had in mind when I purchased them, and realized they were only 25 g. skeins-very little yardage...

Low and behold, I get an invite for my quilting teacher's 60th Birthday celebration-and she likes REDS! I'd been meaning to make her a second pair of fingerless mitts! I searched and found the "Princess Mitts" pattern (I think Nartian had already knit these a while back...I'd forgotten about this pattern!). Turns out the gauge and yardage were perfect!

I'm happy to report that I may make 'deadline' and get them done for the party next Saturday. Actually, as long as I keep focus (the more definitive sort as opposed to my "8-9 Projects" sort I've already discussed...), I can get them done.

Confessions-I actually have almost finished both. Problem? Well...sadly (visuals to come later...) my gauge changed considerably from the first to the second, resulting in a second mitt that is almost a whole INCH longer! Yes, it's true. And yes, I didnt' notice until I finished the whole length of the mitt, sans completed thumb.

Here, I have completed the cuff of the second and there is no indication that I am knitting a tad looser!

I wasn't 'loving' the way the instructions were written. As a matter of fact, you have to really read through the "start here, do this chart, start this one on row x of this chart, stay in pattern for this many stitches before this chart and so many stitches after...stay in pattern for this many stitches before THIS chart...Get the idea? A lot of things going on at the same time and after the first mitt, it was less 'thinky', but the beginning was kind of a big 'thinky' hassle and went a bit more slowly, so I ended up knitting much more tightly.

And yes, I did consider NOT frogging, but I think that the Nartian Influence has pushed me to frog. I started the second from the other end of the ball and will frog as I go--HEY-I can pretend I'm knitting from Flat Feet! ;)

I wish I had the pic to show you with the two side-by-side, but I'm having tech difficulties now...

But I can show you these!

My finished first pair of "Lay's"-OK, Cotty's! (I'm not supposed to use the "L" word on our Rav group, but since this is my blog...I CAN...! These are knit with my Pigeon Roof Studios merino/cashmere (Siren Song Two) sock yarn. Nartian and I decided that this is the Sport Weight, not the fingering weight (and that perhaps her heavier was the "worsted", not the sport...cuz her fingering weight was much thinner!...)

You can see how much yarn remained after making my Lay's--I wear a size 6.5 WW, to give you an idea. Actually, I think my foot is technically a 6WW, but basically I'm wearing 7M to make up for my pudgier and after-kid feet. But I would bet that based on the width of my foot pulling the knit fabric up a bit, my socks probably do end up longer than just a regular size 6, wouldn't you think?

So I guess I get to buy more yarn at Sock Summit now, right?

Don't Blink!

When I first took pictures to post a couple of days ago, I meant to show these current projects I'm working on...


A sweater for Solly...

The back is done; working on the front!

Great Uncle "Hooey" (Henry's) crocheted slippers for his 94th Birthday...

The original pair appeared to be a bit larger than I imagine his feet to be, so I started a new pair to present to him at his party yesterday. Sadly, I didn't get them finished and now that one is complete, I am thinking perhaps the larger size won't be so large once seamed and finished! Back to square one!

And the start of my Cotty's by IrishGirlieKnits!

These are being knit with the Pigeon Roof Studios merino/cashmere I had picked up at Stitches West. The colorway is Labyrinth, and is more purple than shows in this picture.

Once I cast on for the picot cuff last week, it went quite quickly. So quickly, that by the time I had a chance to load the pics above, I was able to take a pic of this and completed my first of the pair! This, while trying to get the Uncle Hooey Slippers 1 & 2 done!

Cotty's shown, almost to the toe!

As well as bring the Lil'Emp to the Alameda County Fair on Furlough Friday...
Sadly, I didn't get a chance to pop in to the Fiber Arts building; something told me if I had, I may have seen some wonderful socks or shawls knit by BellyButtonKnits! Darn if I missed it! But we rode the rides and I ate a chocolate-dipped cheesecake!

So while Uncle Hooey needs to wait for his slippers, I am LOVING the Cotty pattern! Quick and easy and awfully pretty! Now to cast-on for the second...sorry, Uncle Hooey, I'll have to try and get your slippers done inbetween the Cotty's, now that your party has passed and I missed deadline!

Inspired Knitting

I love having knitting buddies! Especially ones who are so close that I get to see all their stuff (usually) first, before it hits their blog!

The very cool thing is that when I see something in person, I can get a better sense of what the pattern is like and if I'd like to knit the same thing, too...AND I get inspired by having knitted FO's before my very eyes!

And so was the case when I saw Nartian's Bella Mittens! They were so cute and I realized that right around the very same time I first saw them, I had just (again) promised to knit my niece a pair! Mind you, this child is patient. She has asked for mittens and been waiting on them for a good two years, I'd say!

I don't know why it was taking me so long to do. Maybe the thought or prospect of having to find the 'right' mitten pattern, sized for a child, not a tot? Maybe the prospect of having to re-size a pattern written for a tot and not quite being in the mood to do it?

Well, when I saw the Bella's Mittens, knit in bulky, I was ecstatic! I could knit this pattern in worsted and be done in a snap! And not have to resize (thinking this as I kept my fingers crossed!)

In the long-run, I started it in Cherry Tree Hill Sockitome "Spanish Moss" colorway, doubled. I finished one, but had to put it aside to work on last minute hats for a school trip. Now that I've finished one hat, I am reconsidering my deadline of (tomorrow) and thinking perhaps they will be an "in a week more" knit, rather than "by tomorrow"...!

So here is one completed mitt; I left off the first two or so repeats of the horseshoe cable to make for shorter mittens, starting at "Row 16", casting on 41 instead of 43 stitches.

More Giftie FO's!

Well, only two...

El Capitan Hat knit with Aran tweed (a little over 3 50g. skeins), and Easy-cable knit Hat knit with Lamb's Pride Bulky (note: added an extra 4 rows and converted pattern to knit in the round)

But that makes two more than I had before!

And the "Solly hat" is now the "Benny hat", since I plan to give it to Benjamyn, instead. It's the green cabled hat that I has become a deviation from the Cabled Baby hat it was supposed to be. Unfortunately, I had copied down the cable pattern WRONG and discovered this, oh, 14 or so rows into it. Luckily, I can just tear down the 18 stitches of the cable pattern for the 14 rows and rebuild them. It's just that 'thinky' patterns take a bit longer to knit. You all know what I mean...

And in case you missed my Black Friday adventures reported on IrishGirlie's blog, let me briefly review for you...

Arriving at Purlescence Yarns between 6-7am rewarded you with the greatest savings: 35% off! (Sadly, BMFA is never included, nor are accessories-but what can we expect? Can't be too greedy, you know?)

And BMFA yarn there was! In addition to lots of gorgeous Socks that Rock in varying weights, there was also LSS (Luscious Silk Single) and WooBu!



There was a line, and sizable; but it moved fairly quickly and besides, I'm sure it is nothing compared to what other Black Friday shoppers were experiencing at the same time!



I was fairly good and left out of there with this...

(the purse was my 'treat'...Nartian had me pick up a coveted merino/cashmere Yarn Daze yarn for here and the rest of my purchases were a few balls of Aran tweed and some bulky yarns for quick gift-hats...I'm sure you will see them featured here soon!)

Irish Girlie was better. She was SO good, that she STILL snuck in a STR Hurdy Gurdy that I thought Cupcakefaerie and I had dissuaded her from purchasing!

Cupcakefaerie had left with a bag of gorgeous, red shades of yarn.

And even having had to be there early to open shop, Sandi and Cathy bid us adieu with smiles on their faces!

IrishGirlie, Cupcakefaerie and I left there content and ready to enjoy a nice breakfast together!

The only thing that would have made this a more perfect way to start our Black Friday is if Nartian had been able to join us!

BIG THRILL!!!

Though not yet blocked, I am happy to report that the Mystic Light Shawl is DONE!!! Nartian witnessed the cast-off on Monday afternoon. I thought I would not be able to resist and would block it soon after but alas, it still is in a lump, unblocked.

This was a KAL I had started back in March and am quite proud to have plugged through this. See guys? I finish things...eventually! It's kinda my first "Big Girl Knitter" lace! I mean, I did do the Forsest Canapy, but that was maybe 1/2-1/3 the yardage, smaller, and done with heavier yarn.

I made one of my work buds model this for me.
She's waaaaay tinier than me in size, but maybe a tad taller than me.

I wasn't happy showing just ONE pic, but I realize you can't see much from this!
So what was the point, really...?

And look what arrived at Purlescence last week and is now a part of my stash?!

STR lightweight: Potomac, Jubilation, The Cookie Next Door,
Muckity Muck (much more of a rich, deep reddish-tinged orange
than what is shown at the BMFA site-me LOVESES this!)

And more gifties on the needles...all are quick-to-knit projects for yarn-rich, cash-po' me!

A second Capitan hat! (Oh...these are so quick that I don't think
I even posted the one I made for me which is nearly finished!
Next time...maybe even modeled!)

And a Silky Malabrigo "Ivy" cowl knit in the "Mint Frappe" colorway...
funny, too...not a hint of green in this yarn!

A new baby hat, a new design element!

I started another baby hat, since the last cabled one looks a bit small for lil' Solly. So I pulled out this yarn from my stash and started another.

Being the inspired person I am, I again resized this pattern up a bit to accomodate a larger baby-head. Now that I started the cable portion I realized I made a grave error in the re-sizing: the cable pattern is done over a 16 stitch repeat, NOT an 8-stitch repeat!-DOH!

So I think I have decided that a design change would be appropriate at this time. Perhaps a larger cable utilizing the extra two 'plain' panels that are now side by side?

And look-I finished the Seaweed Cowl for my friend! I crocheted a loop and will add a button, since I had added a couple of repeats to make this cowl wider and want to give her the option to pull it in a bit at the top.

I LOVE way this colorway knit up! I first found it a bit garish, but found that it really is quite a fun colorway! (And yes, your eyes do not deceive you--my gauge changed 1/2 way through and it started striping!)

The worst part about being sick...

is when you are too sick to knit! In my case, I was too sick to even entertain the idea of picking up my needles! Luckily, that part of this cold I'm getting over only lasted 3 days. But then there is all the catching up from when you slept all day, ignoring everything else!

The happy, happy news is that I did finally get to knit on Saturday, finishing a couple of quick gift knits. My Silky Malabrigo Tudora, v 3.0

A Malabrigo Seleccion Privada Calorimetry, modeled by Lil' Emp who decided he prefers it around his neck. Funny, the Malabrigo Loafers I made him were 'scratchy' yet he wore this around his neck for a good 30 minutes-1 hour with no mention of discomfort!

And on Sunday, I got to spend knitting time with great knitting pals Nartian, IrishGirlie and Cupcakefaerie! I was negligent in getting pics of our eatting-er, I mean knitting-get-together, but IrishGirlie did a great job photo documenting on her blog!

And speaking of photo documenting, I snagged this from her blog since she wanted me to post it with the recipe. This is so mega-easy and so yummy! I present to you...

Caprini Crostini (Goat Cheese Crostini)*
makes 15-20 crostini

Ingredients:
3 oz. of Caprini cheese or any soft, white, spreadable cheese (Philadelphia, Neufchatel or lowfat yogurt cheeses are good ones)
2 large cloves garlic
2 red hot peppers (the tiny ones)
a large sprig of parsley
3 Tbsp. olive oil
a pinch or two of salt**

Finely mince the garlic, parsley and red peppers. Place in a s mall bowl and add 3
Tablespoons of olive oil and salt to taste. Place the cheese in this oil and let sit for about 20 minutes. Spread on baguette rounds and serve.

*published in my sister's "Cortona in Your Kitchen...a little bit of Italy for my friends far away." recipe gift book she gave us in 1991. This recipe is characteristic of typical antipasti made in the region in Italy where she lives.

**OOOPS! IrishGirlie-I think I put black pepper in mine but the recipe doesn't call for it afterall!

Since Cupcakefaerie was willing to allow us to invade her place (and I instigated it, evading hostessing duty), I had to make some Cupcakefaerie-worthy cupcakes, so this is what I came up with...(and the reason for a 'quick and easy' appetizer, cuz this is what I spent my time working on...)

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate-almond filling; a splash of ganache over the top with a toasted sliced almond for decoration

And born of the sage knitterly advice and opinions offered during our time together, the decision was made to cast on a Seaweed Cowl...

Seaweed Cowl CO with Malabrigo Seleccion Privada, colorway "Y"
Yes, it is further along; I have knit about 12 rounds, or about 2"

Lastly, there is nothing like the temptation that comes from reading about a new Etsy discovery (Butterflygirldesigns.etsy.com). Thanks to Rocky, I now am the proud owner of a new spindle...

My new spindle is in the front-it has a carved agate whorl! And the Bosworth spindle behind it is filled with the wool/mohair roving-my first BMFA roving purchase-which is getting so close to being completely spun and plied!

I must think I have money this month or something!

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!

One hour...and a half!

...just to hand-ply this much skinny two-ply yarn!
and then, to wind it into its puny little skein...
The good news: I see progress! Below is all the handspun put together, compared to the roving that is left. Looks like it is almost finished! Well, maybe in this pic it only looks a little past 1/2 way, but remember, the stuff on the left is spun and denser; the stuff on the right has more air! I think I am at least 3/4 way there!
Why my little diversion this afternoon to spin, rather than knit?

Must be because I just got this from Nartian for my birthday!!! Thanks so much, Nartian!

It's a Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Sheep 2 Shoe" kit! And guess what the colorway is...?

PUCK'S MISCHIEF!!!

Biased as it may sound, I LOVE this colorway! If you just look at it, you can see why, so no, it is NOT because it happens to have been assigned the name suggestion I made long ago in a contest!

(NOTE: the above was started as an entry for Sunday, August 3; alas, Lil' Emp called me away to help him figure out how to find a "Lumineon" pokemon...yeah, duty called!)

Speaking of contests...

I have to say I'm kind of embarassed to admit to having won two more...

one, being the one over at Tina's Blog at the Blue Moon Fiber Arts website! I received my Rare Gems the other day! It is very dark-almost a Ravenesque black, but extremely dark teal with streaks of natural color.


And look-a very slight hint of yellow!

The other contest was one that Raquel had at her blog, Rockinknit. And can you believe what she sent me for a prize?!

A tin of chocolate (dark! my fav!!!), a notepad, and yes-you are seeing this correctly--A $25 gift certificate to the LOOPY EWE!!!!!! I have heard many wonderful things about this on-line shop and haven't had a chance to order there yet, so now that I am on my yarn shopping hiatus, I can keep this for a guilt-free splurge into wonderful yarniness! The hard part will be deciding what to use it for! There are so many awesome indie yarns and gorgeous patterns at the site!

Thanks for a fun contest, Rocky! (I had guessed what she was knitting in the middle of the night on her lit knitting needles! She was making a knitted 'tag' for a tree in front of her house-too fun!-in honor of a group in Texas called "The Knittas". Yeah, in the middle of the night. Really. Using her light-up knitting needles! No one can say we knitters aren't motivated individuals now, can they?)

As an addage, Raquel and I were in Scout's dying workshop together and met through Marisol. Raquel has only been knitting since December and has been participating in Sock Wars, knitting fine lace scarves, socks...I swear, she's amazing--one of the 'naturals' at this craft!

So if you are still with me, a couple more things I've been working on...(yes, this long post is just for IrishGirlie!)...

I started a gift for a friend! Nicholas' Gloves using lightweight STR doubled. Colorway: Valkyrie.

Incredible as this may seem, I'm working on a second sock! These are the Central Air socks I started back in February using Spunky Eclectic's Super Sport in Route 66-the colorway is so NOT me, but I absolutely love it!

And look what I resurrected! It's the Mystic Light KAL shawl-I actually pulled this puppy out, finished Clue 1 and am 1/2 way through Clue 2! YAY ME!

Favorite details: the braid running down the center ...

and the cabled edging!

So I must admit that I had started this entry before my rant about crazy Shawl KALs that I am thinking I am actually going to participate in! Actually, I am going to attempt to KAL, just don't know if I can truly keep up!

And now, here are the lace yarns I'm planning on using...
for the Secret of the Stole III:

Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Laci" in the Motley Hue colorway. Like the Mystery Stole 4, this one is to be knit with beads, so I 'auditioned' a couple of coulors on the skein. One is kind of a champagne color (slight pink tinge and silvery center). The second is a irridescent sheened topaz. I think the lighter champagne color wins out, but I'll have to see what I actually find in a store!

And here is the second skein from The Knittery. It is 1040 yards; the pattern calls for 1100 yards which includes a 'fudge factor'. I am thinking I shall take the risk with this one. What do you think? The colorway is "Moonlight" and it is merino lace.

The above shows the darker beads on the Moonlight colorway; below are the lighter beads. I gave up trying to get a better pic-that was the best I could do!

PHEW! Yeah, this was a long one for me, too, folks! If you got this far, congratulations! If you had to come back and re-visit (or perhaps skim through), I totally get that!