Organizing and a Cowl

I have been de-cluttering and organizing.  

My craft room ends up being a catch-all for the whole house.  You know the drill . . . wrapping paper, gift boxes, off season clothes, out grown baby clothes, early Christmas present purchases, the doll house my great aunt made in hopes that one day I would have a little girl to enjoy it.  Ya know how it goes.  Then, there is the craft stuff . . . sewing machine, yarn, fabric remnants, yarn, WIPs, yarn, a bit of roving, yarn, knitting needles, yarn, books, yarn, magazines, yarn and more yarn.  It is also the guest room on the rare occasion that we have an overnight guest.  I have surrendered to the fact that it is what it is, but it will be organized and look decent if it kills me!!!

I have purchased a metal shelving unit and rubbermaid bins to store my yarn.  So, I have sorted through most of my yarn.  I enjoyed petting my collection of fiber and dreaming about which project would make the yarn really sing.  I also sorted through my knitting needles.  It is unbelievable how many needles I have.  Very few of them are repeats.  Amazing!

I ripped out 2 of my long standing projects that I am not interested in finishing.  I've finally given myself permission to rip out what I don't like.  Yea!!

I took a class last Monday at Saratoga Needle Arts on Cat Bordhi's Moebius Cowl.  The cast on took a little bit to figure it out, but once I got it man was it fun!!  I am almost finished.  Talk about a quick knit!!

A long, long time ago . . .

Once upon a time a knitter who loved Socks that Rock started reading a blog by another knitter who loved Socks that Rocks.  Princess Irish Girlie lived in a far, far away land called The West Coast.  The West Coast was a fun land.  The people of The West Coast loved to dine on cupcakes and dance the belly dance.  Princess Irish Girlie was a very generous princess.  She was always knitting things for Sir Snowboarder and Lord Lil' Guy.  Princess Irish Girlie even held contests and gave wonderful gifts to strangers.

In the land of The West Coast, the people love to measure their chickens.

Princess Irish Girlie wanted the knitter of The East Coast to be able to measure her chickens, too.   So, a beautiful and fun chicken measurer was gifted.

Princess Irish Girlie also wanted to share with the knitter of The East Coast the wonderful custom of rocking their socks. 

Thanks to the generous Princess Irish Girlie, the knitter of The East Coast learned the joys of measuring chickens and rocking her socks and she lived happily ever after.

First Halloween

Two of my favorite Halloween pics.  

I hope you don't get tired of baby pics.  I don't think I will ever tire of posting them.  

New Project!

I took a class from my LYS last Monday.  It is the Bartholomew's Tantalizing Socks from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters.  Cat Bordhi is simply amazing.  I can't even begin to think about how her brain works.  I have had this book since shortly after it came out.  I have been waiting for a class because it seemed a little much to figure out on my own.  I am hoping one class will help me understand the basics of the book and then I can apply those concepts to any pattern.  I hope! :) 

The book is divided into the basic sock architectures.  You first knit a baby sock to practice that sock architecture technique and then you knit adult size socks.  

I am knitting the Little Sky as my learning sock on size 5 (dpn) needles with Mountain Colors left over from my very first pair of socks.  We needed to be ready to start the heel at the next class and I am all ready!

Then, I am knitting the Bartholomew's Tantalizing Socks (which needs a nickname because man, that's a lot to type!) on size ones (2 circs) with Lorna's Laces Black Pearl.  This is my first time using Lorna's Laces.  The colors are gorgeous and I can't wait to see how it knits up.  I have completed my cast on and one row.

This is a pretty cool way to kit socks---both London and I will end up with a pair!!!

BSJ FO!!!

We interrupt this Rhinebeck recap to bring you a Finished Object.

I present to you the Baby Surprise Jacket made in Cascade 220 Superwash.

It is big on him, so it will be good for next winter.  Isn't it amazing how this blob of knitting turns into a sweater???

You can see how it folds up by focusing on the darker blue stripe.  Simply amazing!

I have yet to sew on the little sheep buttons from Rhinebeck.  I have a year to get them on.  :)

Thank You!

Thank you America!  

Thank you for getting out and voting, to ending apathy, and for letting politicians know how you feel about the current state of our union.  

Thank you for learning from our mistakes as a nation and refusing to repeat them.

Thank you for setting an example that every child born in our country can truly dream big and be whatever they want to be.  

I have never been so proud to be an American as I am at this moment!!

Rhinebeck Part 2: The BMFA Edition

I love Blue Moon Fiber Arts!  It is even worth the super long, but super friendly line at The Fold.

Here is Lunasea in Leticia.  I've never kit with it.  It is a super bulky wool that is destined to be some sort of hat for me.

This is a close up of Nyame Silkie Socks that Rock.  I'm not sure what its destiny is.
Some gorgeous Mochaberry in Socks that Rock Heavyweight.
Rare Gems in Silkie Socks That Rock.
I was REALLY hoping to find a Sock Monkey kit and I did!  It is enough to make one big and one small one.  I know the purple-y color is Thistle, but I'm not sure what the other one is.
If you can believe it, I still have more BMFA for another post.  I have lots of WIP and even a FO to update you on, too!!

I hope you had a great and safe Halloween.  Ours was low-key and fun.  Today we are heading to an indoor water park.  I can't wait to see London enjoying the water!  Have a great weekend!!