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!

A Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans!!! I'm sure no one is reading this tonight since you are proabably all preparing for the big feast!

For the first Thanksgiving in a long time, I didn't have to make a thing! But here's what I did...

I got an Eggnog Brandy cheesecake from Gregory's Gourmet Desserts across from where I work! The big question is...will it actually make it to dinner with us tomorrow? There is a major chance it won't!-lol! Yeah, I'm bad! That's why I didn't bother mentioning to my cousin that I'd be bringing it, even though it was on order two weeks ago. And that's why I have a big box of chocolate-laced oatmeal cookies from Ikea that I could always bring instead!...They'll never know...

Oh, and for a bit of knitting content: I opened my newsletter from Rob at Threadbear and discovered a new-to-me source for knitting patterns when I checked out his link to an easy cabled hat pattern. I thnk this will be the pattern I use for one of my younger boy-cousin's gift.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Mel!!!

My Uncle Mel turned 80 and we went to his house to celebrate! At one point, one of my cousins passed out favors he had made: hand-crafted wooden pens! He purchased the metal pen components, then turned the wood to make the barrels. The tag on it was leaf-shaped and read, "We extend this branch of our family tree in celebration of Melvin's 80th Birthday...". Then I heard him say something about apricot wood! I was thrilled and thought, 'No, not our apricot wood!' and proceeded to ask him if this meant he had used wood from apricot trees that had been grown on our family farm and indeed, he had! What a thrill! This pen is so much more meaningful and precious to me because it not only is made of wood my cousin carefully crafted into its pen shape, but also wood that his father had grown!

My grandfather was a fruit farmer in Solano County who had a repair garage on the farm. Though his two sons ended up mechanics for UPS, they continued to farm the property that the siblings had all purchased together probably some 50+ years ago. My grandfather's small 'ranch' is now developed into a commercial building site and long gone, but the "other ranch" is still around. At least for now, though I know it will probably not be forever.

It means alot to me to have this small piece of my family's history!

And speaking of birthdays, TODAY is Nartian's birthday, so go hop on over and wish her a happy one! You've got less than 2 hours!

ETA: and, btw, I forgot that this was kinda knit-related in topic. Spinning-related, really, since my cousin's girlfriend weaves, spins and now knits. She is hoping he'll make her a spinning wheel one day and I am flat-out begging him to make me a spindle! I think his GF would settle for a spindle, too...

Glorious GREED!

And here it is! My recent Seven Deadly S(p)ins Club shipment--GREED! This yarn is a "Tinsel Toes" yarn (merino/tencel) in the colorway Precious Metals! The pattern is for a beaded clutch and comes complete with the silk lining, beads, button--everything to make it! And, of course, there are extra goodies: chocolate coins, bracelets, a currency bill stitch marker, and magnetic bookmark.

I'm not much of a 'yellow' person, but this is a wonderful color combination and is perfect for the theme and pattern!

Stinkin' Cute!

These have got to be the cutest little things! If you go to the Rav page, the ones shown are even CUTER! And now, onto the meat of this post...

OK, I realized there were a few pics I'd taken and never shared. I'd like to share with you now...

The other week (specifically, the first Saturday of this month) it was raining. And I mean raining. Heavy rain. Big drops of water rain.

Of course, this meant that this was the day my friend HAD to go to Cotati (a 45 minute drive or so from the City...). So, being the good friend that I am, I accompanied her.

See the puddle of water? and you can't tell, but it is still RAINING in this picture...

What is this place? Oh...we entered through the wrong door?


And here, is the front of the building!

And inside, a freezer with a sign reading, "We trust you...please take what you need and leave the money on the table". GEEZ! No way! Dorothy, we're not in San Francisco anymore!

By the way, the lasagne is ok. The ravioli pretty stinking good! But the real reason we were there?

To claim her 1/4 cow that had just been freshly slaughtered! (sorry, Vegetarians...) Yeah, we were there to pick up, oh...100 pounds or so of organic beef!


And to prove I am not a yarn snob, look what I had caved and bought when I saw it on sale at Joann's the other week?
I'm a total sucker for the Vanna White yarn colors! And, as always, was inspired to buy an afghans worth of it! Gotta love crochet-I crocheted up one of the popcorn squares quite quickly. But alas, it is not a gift for this year and I need to keep the gift knitting priority, so this now sits.

But look what else I kinda had to add to the stash?
But allow me to clarify: the center red color is some Malabrigo Worsted in Pagoda and came out from my stash. I used these for a Capitan hat (picture later...). You see, that same rainy day was the same day I lost a favorite crocheted (not by me) hat and was sad. I decided that this capitan hat could justifiably jump ahead of the gifties so I could make myself a new hat.

Admittedly, the two plain yarns on the left were grabbed up at Dharma Trading Co. for future dying. And I'll again point out that I am a big sucker for the garish (some call it 'clear') colors of some of the Malabrigo Privada collection. I decided I needed to again go beyond my comfort zone of colors and get two more from the ImagiKnit sale wall. So I did. And while at it, I threw in a Malabrigo Worsted Tartuga to round out the purchase!

I have a great project in mind for the Privada and am excited to eventually knit it up!

I'm feeling a bit spoiled...

Rav love and Knitterly love abound and I reap the rewards many times over...

Cupcakefaerie was able to procure this and sent it to me...

Wollmeise, Poison Nr. 5-and it's mine, all MINE!!!

It was packaged up all lovely with gummi bears, even, as if I had place a Woolgirl order! And she is my kinda gal with her wonderful taste in cards it leads me to suspect that she is as much of a stationery fiend as I am. I also suspect that she enjoys the lost art of written corraspondence as much as I do. I don't consider myself to be a very literary person, but I have always enjoyed written correspondence. You are an absolute doll, Cupcakefaerie!!! I so heart you!

And remember how I had whined around about being just yards short for my Mystic Light Shawl? I was a bit reluctant to purchase a skein on-line since I had seen such wide variations of shading with this colorway.

I got the bright idea of looking up the yarn on Ravelry and found it in someone's stash-and it was 1/2 a skein! I pm'd her and asked if she would be willing to part with it in trade or sell it to me. Guess what? She sends it to me-from Sweeden! And doesn't want a thing for it!
Of course, this calls for a DAK to go out her way in the future (I don't dare say near, as I am a bit slow in getting things out...), but I will definitely have to send something wonderful her way! Wanna know something funny? Turns out she is in IrishGirlieKnits' "friends" list on Rav-sandikins, you ROCK!

I'll confess that I was impatient and since I was able to see the skeins at Purlescence, I purchased one last weekend while I was there! This is truly a gorgeous yarn and I am sure I will be able to make a scarf or some other lovely item with the yarn.

So I also get THIS package in the mail from a member on my Rav Monthly Adventures group...

We are celebrating our one year anniversary and my name was picked for a prize! I feel unworthy since I've not been very active on that list since the first swap, but I will be donating a prize so I can pay it forward and again be a participating member!

And I know this blog is mostly knitting, but I have to share this...
My latest wine club shipment from Benziger/Imagery wineries! I long-ago signed up as a charter wine club member and (though I drink much less these days...), have not had the heart to give up this club! But the big thrill was this recent shipment: Oonapais (a red wind blend of Cab, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot)--I had tried this one a year or two ago when I was last out to the winery and LOVED it! I'm so glad that this recent 2006 release was part of the shipment! And the other bottle is a Petite Sirah Port! Me loveses me ports!!!

I usually enjoy the wines I get from the club, but since I am familiar with these two varietals and favor them, I am especially thrilled about this shipment!

Holiday projects are chugging along; cast-off, cast-on...

I'll show you where I'm at next time...

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!)

And again, time slips away and I forget!

The great thing about my yarn clubs is that my shipments go out automatically and are prepaid far enough in advanced that I often forget they are coming! So is the case with the latest WoolGirl current club shipment that arrived today. This shipment was a Cherry Blossom theme! Featured yarn? Yarntini in Plum Blossom!

Pardon double-pics, but I really feel Jen does such a great job packing up our kits, that you would really be missing out if you didn't get to see my goodies as they came packed.

This is my first Yarntini yarn and what a treat to have this lovely Plum Blossom colorway!

And there is so much in her kits, that seeing them displayed as one picture, you miss lots of the little goodies/details. Like the gorgeous crystal stitch marker from White Oaks. Or the rock sugar stick that was packed so nicely with the tea and strainer. And notice not just the coordination of color, but the overall feel and look that the kraft paper journal offers. Crissy Gardiner designed the sock pattern that peeks out a bit in the first pic.

And I've notified Jen that I want 'in' on next year's club, so I had better start putting aside the money for it!

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!

MAIL DAYS are HAPPY DAYS!!!

Especially when you receive TWO Speed Racer Cereal Bowls!
(Yeah, Grandma's are such the suckers!)

And I am quite sure you can guess what this is...

Yep! My WoolGirl order! THE WoolGirl order. The very same that I just blogged about. And here it is, having arrived TODAY! Gotta love that Jen, I'd say!

As with all WoolGirl orders, there were goodies galore...Halloween hot chocolate, a stitch marker, pen, jelly beans! Could I be more spoiled? I think not!

Far left-Flat Feet (yes, I am only now purchasing my first one...). Right side, top to bottom: The Unique Sheep Footprints yarn in Froggy Feet and Zombie, Mama Llama Sport in Autism, White Oak Studios tvyarns fingering weight yarn in Cool Blue.

I know you've been missing all the eye-candy, KnitGolfer! ;) See what sacrifices I make for my readers? I had to order new yarn just for your entertainment!

The Mystic Light Edition...

I'm so excited to have Clue 4 completed for the Mystic Light No-Longer-Knitting-Along KAL!


This was the best way I was able to photograph the progress. (Yeah, another co-worker pulled into my knitting insanity...)

Not the best pics, but you can kinda get the idea...

Where did this come from?!

I arrived home yesterday to find a box-rather large for a Sock Club shipment box...it was from WoolGirl Jen! I thought, "Dang! I forgot we were getting our club shipment!"

I open the box and realize-'Doh!-it's the Wicked Witch of the West (WWW) kit!!!' Yeah. I ordered it and forgot all about it! I love it when I do that!

So here are all the goodies that were stuffed into the box...
And all the goodies in the bag, opened so you can see it all...
In the bag?--White Oak Studios TVYarn, orange hot chocolate, a WWW tin, bookmark, card enclosure, jellybeans that match the yarn color; not just 'green', but bright green and greenish-brown! A witch PEZ dispenser, broomstick pen, notepads, cloth bag, and the cutest, tiniest, lil' ol'...

witch stitch marker!

Oh! and of course, a pattern: "Where's My Broom?"

And yesterday, I started yet ANOTHER Tudora with the leftover Malabrigo Silky...

BIG THRILL to report? I have now finished Clue 4 of the Mystic Light stole and will post a pic when I get a chance to take a pic of it!

Ta-duh! Look what I got!

An award from the fabu-Cockeyed!

Here are the rules for the award recipients:

1. Please put the award on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate at least 4 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.

Well, Cockeyed already named Stilaholic Nartian Knits and IrishGirlieKnits, both of who I would name, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed a repeat...

How bout if I add...

1) CUPCAKE FAERIE

2) CHICKENKNITS

3) VORTEX OF CHAOS

4) LIFE IN LILT

Bless Me, Readers, for I have Sinned!

It has been three months since my last yarn purchase confession. Well, except for the one skein of Wollmeise because what Knitter in their right mind passes up on a Wollmeise opportunity? And the other purchases between weren't purchases, since I used gift certificate; therefore, they were gifts.

So I walk into a local crafting store and walk out with this... I mean, the good thing is none of this is yarn, right? The afghan booklet had quick knit afghans that look like they won't bore me--worked doubled and in clever panels! I promised a friend he'd get an afghan by his 50th birthday--I have a bit less than 4 years to go and thought this would be a good start! The hook? Well...some of my lovely 8/0 beads' holes are a tad bit too small for the size 12 crochet hook. Yeah, I paid more for the new hook than if I bought a new bag at less than $1.50 for around 275 beads! I paid for the two items, then the bead spinner caught my eye...it was at the other register and on sale! Grabbed it up, paid for it, done. Yeah, I'm sick that way...Then I thought about Chicken Knit's resolve not to purchase anything she absolutely did not need for a month...I failed that task!

Final confession? One word: Woolgirl! Yeah, I'll dish when it arrives...

And now for the planned Malabrigo Holiday Knits:

I'm hoping these will be converted to gifts this month! Recognize the upper left colorway? I used it for the Quickie Cowl and hope to make a Tudora for my cousin. The right was used for a Tudora and I haven't decided what it may end up being. It's the Colchina colorway. The two colors at the bottom are the Privada collection colorways that ImagiKnit has had sitting forever on their sale shelf. They didn't look nearly as attractive unwound, but I suspected they were more of a 'wow' once wound. I think I may be correct.

The blue/grey/pink will be a Calorimetry for a cousin and the orange/green/pink will maybe be a cowl for a friend's December b-day.

But wait-that's not all! I started the soles pre-October 1 start date, but the tops I started after the 1st. These are two not-Malabrigo Loafers to be. I'm using whatever worsted wool I have for the soles. The top of the first pair is Weavers Wool Quarters from Mountain Colors. Clever Me to discover I had this in my stash to use!
No completed stole clues yet, but the baby hat has been long-finished. A new Baby Solly hat, though I understand that Little 6 mo. Solly is wearing 12 mos. old clothes! This hat may be too small...

Th-th-th-that's all, Folks!