Vacation/LYS Stash Enhancement -- Part Two

The last of the vacation bought yarns:

These are Sockotta, #14 (teals, blues and greens) and Trekking (XXL) #84 (a mix of cream, greens and beige). From Knit Purl (see previous posting).

Ah, this is probably my favorite. Schaeffer Yarn, Anne (color is reds, blues, purple and a splash of rusty orange). Bought at Classic Yarns of Grafton in Grafton, Mass. The owner (Eileen) was great and offered her cotton yarns on sale for me (even though the sale wasn't until the weekend). I only bought this, though, as I didn't have that much room left in my carry-on (ship yarn in my luggage -- no way!).

These two pictures are the front and back of a cardigan that my great-aunt gave me. It's an Irish knit that she knit years and years ago (she couldn't remember when) and it doesn't fit her any more, so I got it. It'll be like wearing a jacket for me when it gets cold here!

This picture (below) are my fried clams. I love fried clams! And to get them in the desert is next to impossible (not that they'd be fresh either). So, on the Saturday night after we got to Mass., Harry's came through! (It's in Westboro on Route 9, north side I believe.)

Next time I'll try to tell you some tales about the vacation and maybe even show you what I knit while on vacation (it wasn't much, let me tell you). And when I got home, I didn't pick up any UFO's until yesterday afternoon. I don't know, mentally I wasn't ready to dive back into any knitting or any other projects until then. But I picked up the blue cable socks and am now happy with my needle change. I told myself I've got to finish at least those and the monkeys before I can start anything new with my new yarn. (Yeah, right--we'll see how long that takes!) Anyways, hope all are having a good week! We're getting monsoon rains every afternoon since I've been home -- it's great the desert really needs it!

(Sorry about the delay in getting back to blogging -- we've had some computer malfunctions/problems/really, really, really need a new one!)

Vacation LYS/Stash Enhancemet -- Part One

(From left to right.) Cascade Yarns, Sassy Stripes, #713; Fortissima Socka, #1014 (purple). Bought at Skip One Purl Too in Mesa, Arizona.
Couldn't resist the price on this one--$1.99. Lion Brand, Wool Ease, sport weight, #146, fuchsia. Bought at what was Spag's, but now is Building 19 in Shrewsbury, Mass (at least I think that's where it was--my aunt was driving and I got all turned around, but it was on Route 9, so I think that was it).
And for those of you who were with me during the Monkey sock yarn problem---ta da! I found it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Lion Brand Magic Stripe in jelly bean stripe. Bought at AC Moore in Framingham, Mass. where a lovely lady named Kitty helped me and my aunt out in their yarn department. Oh, yeah, and it was on sale -- they're discontinuing the colors. Now I can finish the monkeys! Found 4 skeins of Micro Spun in #144, lilac for a possible future project. On clearance at AC Moore for $1.87!! Can't beat that. Also another Magic Stripe in denim stripe (also on sale).
And the last installment for today-- Cherry Tree Hill, supersock in brights. It's a great mix of reds, pinks, orange and bluey purple. This was purchased at Knit Purl in Sudbury, Mass. She doesn't have a web page, it looks like, but the link shows directions. The owner, (I can't remember her name) was very nice and helpful. This shop was neat, clean and had a wide selection of yarns. Part Two of this will show what else I acquired at this shop.

That's it for Part One, but there's more...

I'll have vacation review (and some more pictures) next week after Part Two of stash enhancement.

Hope all have a great day.

I'm Back...

Hi all, just letting everyone know I'm back from vacation.
I did survive!!!
When I get all my pictures and things downloaded, I'll give a vacation review (including some stash enhancements).

Hope all have had a great July -- I feel like I missed most of this month.

Toe-Up Socks/4th of July

I couldn't decide which picture I liked the best, so I put all three in. The bottom one shows the pattern a little better, I think.

These were a good practice pair. The yarn is a little thick to wear with my shoes, so I'll probably use them as house socks. But they are soooo comfortable (of course given that it's been about 106 degF here, socks won't be worn by me for a few months).

I did the easy toe version. Next time I think I'll be adventurous and try the short-row toe.
Pattern: 5 Stitch Patterns (lace rib), from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. Gauge: 6 sts/1" for 8 or 81/2 foot cir on #4 dpn (#2 for the ribbing). Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in terracotta.

So there they are. My first pair of toe-up's completed. I do like that I don't have to Kitchener at the end and I can measure as I go and hopefully not run out of yarn! The only thing I did not like about this pattern was the purl stitches at the beginning of a round on the dpn (I purl them too loose for my liking and get a little bit of a loose portion), next time I'll have to try on the two circulars, it might be better.

On another note...I just wanted to wish you all a Happy 4th of July. The kids, my mom and I will be traveling to Massachusetts and Maine for the next two weeks, so I'll probably be out of touch with you all for a while (none of my relatives have a computer or Internet access that I know of) so... you all take care. If I can find a computer with Internet somewhere, I'll post on how my vacation is going! Otherwise I'll see you all back here in two weeks!

Happy knitting and Happy 4th! Enjoy the fireworks!!!!!

Forgot to add this morning: Ali's (skeins her way) is having a contest. Stop by and check it out!

Yellow Hat

This week went by so fast and I've been really busy getting ready for vacation and cleaning up loose ends here. But I did find time to whip up this little number (it's for a friend who wanted some "summer hats" to wear). I'm going to make another version of the blue floppy hat in a blue, yellow and green variegated cotton yarn (I think it's a sugar 'n' cream, but I don't have it right in front of me (it's already in the suitcase) for this same friend.

From 100 Knitting Projects by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss. The Pretty Petal Hat. I used #8 dpn for the top part and #9 circular for the bottom. Yarn: Sugar 'n' Cream, yellow (from my stash). (I can't tell you who the hat model is, but let me just say, he was a good sport about it.)

I'm almost finished with my other toe-up sock, just have to finish the ribbing and then I'll post a picture later today (I hope) of both socks. The second one was easier, I understood the short row heel wraps and knitting them together better on the second heel. And I think the easy toe came out better on the second one. Sometimes I like trying something new to me in a heavier weight yarn (especially before I get into the fine sock yarn) because I can "see" how something works easier. (Does that make sense?)

Anyway, thanks for all who stopped by this last week, I haven't had a chance to catch up with you all, but I hope to today or tomorrow. Have a great day!

(Edited to add: Oh, yeah, Happy July everybody!!)