My visit with the alpacas today....

DCP02028
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I stopped by my friend's farm, Almar Farm Alpacas, today to see the little girl that was born yesterday afternoon! That little fluff of white is Fleur and she was so sweet. The black alpaca is Gina, the white one on the right is Yolanda and she is the mom to Fleur. The white one in the background is pregnant and due in the next week or so.

I got to hold Fleur but those photos are on my friend's camera.

I also picked up a skein of yarn from their prize herdsire "Sir Prize" for my secret pal package.

What in the hell is wrong with me?

Every time I log into Ravelry I add another project to my queue. I am now up to 77.

(laugh)

Sockotta Socks

Sockotta Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Yesterday I finally finished the gussets and turned the heels on these socks. I've had little time to knit lately and have been so anxious to finish these socks so that I can start a pair of Monkey socks. Since I'm on the "non-thinking" cuffs, I can get these finished in no time. I'm at the perfect spot in the project for working on them on the train on the way into work. Again, I love this Sockotta yarn!

Had a nice small beginner Toe-Up Sock class yesterday at YarnArts and everyone seemed to have a good time. I love teaching classes there and today I have part 1 of a Beginner's Knit Workshop.

Mystery Stole 3 will most likely get some attention this evening. Last week there was a tragic accident that involved a mistake that turned into a disaster when I tried to correct it. I wound up ripping out the first 15 rows of Clue 3.

Well, it's off to the shower and the farmer's market for me.

SP 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love alpaca and other natural fibers. I don't any "fun fur" or 100% acrylic.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My addi's are in the baggies that they came in. Exciting 'eh?

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I've been knitting around 2 years and I taught myself for the most part. I would consider myself intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, but I'm not sure how to link it from here.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I love earthy scents like patchouli, cedar, sage etc...

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not too much, though I am swayed by dark chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I spin terribly, but have been practicing! I love to craft stuff like beaded jewelry, stamping, fun papers etc...

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love almost anything except Speed Metal and Hard Core Rap. I adore 80's New Wave and the Grateful Dead (what an interesting mix!)

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Love most colors, don't like orange though.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Married with dogs and cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks and lace.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Mystery Stole 3 and some socks

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Straight or circular depends on the project, same with the material.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes, both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Gasp! I don't have any currently!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Vintage Fiestawarer

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I subscribe to Interweave Knits and any of the Barbara Walker books of stitch patterns are on my wish list.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Not that I can think of right now.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

US woman's size 5.5

23. When is your birthday?

November

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

PixieM

Blocking....

DCP02019
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Whew, that was a ton of work but it appears that it was all worth it. Mystery Stole 2 is now officially completed and I can dedicate more time to Mystery Stole 3.

I had a small disaster last night on MS3 when I realized I was off by two stitches I tinked back two rows -- and promptly dropped 3 to 4 more stitches down a few more rows. I held my breath as I very carefully carried them back up to the needles. Yes, I can see were the accident occured, but there aren't any holes or glaring mistakes, so everything is good to go moving forward.

P.S. The blocking is being done on 12 foam sheets that I got in the craft department of Walmart last night. I was hoping to get some of the thicker snap together thick foam puzzle pieces but couldn't find them in the toy department and trying to find help in Walmart is a losing battle. These sheets will work for now, but they are really too thin.

WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ding, dong the witch is dead! Erhm, I mean, I finally finished 'Scheherazade' -- Mystery Stole 2. This week I will be *carefully, very carefully* and lightly blocking it before I share a finished photos. Knitting time will now be devoted to Mystery Stole 3.

Spent a nice afternoon knitting with old friends and made some new ones! Old friends so kindly whipped out a bottle of wine when I finished Scheherazade, which prevented me from getting any work done on MS3. Instead I did mindless knitting on the Sockotta socks.

Last night was the Stitch and Pitch game and we had a blast. I didn't knit and I didn't watch the ballgame, instead I did what I do best -- drink beer and socialize. :)

Sockotta Socks

Sockotta Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Still slogging away at the second bit of edging on MS2. If I'd just sit down and work on it, I know it would be knocked out in about 2-3 hours. But I'm bored with it.

Started a new pair of socks last week at work, then set those aside as well. However, these socks are going to the Stitch 'n Pitch game at Coors Field today. I need to remember to take my notes with me so that I know when to start the gussets for the heels.

1 edging down, 1 to go....

Mystery Stole 2
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Whew....after a rough start yesterday that resulted in me ripping out two entire edging repeats of 28 rows each, I started and finish the first edging section today!!

Woot!

Just one more edge to complete and then I can block this baby.

MS2 -- Look at the sidebar!

95%!

I'm on the first 1/2 of the edging and complete 1 repeat of the 7 repeats!

Still have no live batteries in the camera for photos, but check back tomorrow!

Quiet Sunday Knitting

Met up with two friends this afternoon to knit MS3. Well, Kati, knit on MS3. I was still working on Ms2 and Pat worked on an adorable bookmark. Speaking on MS2, this morning I finished up the first 1/2 of clue 5, got started on the second 1/2 and was thrilled that I was done with the clues - only to be devastated when I realized there was a small clue 6 to be completed BEFORE the edging....damn it.

I also got to try using a teeny weeny crochet hook for beading MS3 instead of dental floss. (Thank you, Kati for the lovely gift of said teeny weeny crochet hook.)

My sock yarn addiction also overtook me today and I got two new skeins -- I have more sock yarn than I know what to do with and most likely will continue to get more, only to have it sit in the big wooden chest which requires a very heavy basket of books on top to keep it closed. However, I am unable to cast on for a pair of socks until MS2 is complete.

My digital camera needs new batteries, hence the reason for no photos lately.

Mystery Stole 3 - Clue 1

Mystery Stole 3 - Clue 1
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I'm just a few rows into Clue 2, however I am still working hard on getting MS2 finished so that I can dedicate myself to MS3.

This is just a quick dry block, very quick because the camera batteries died just after I snapped this photo.

Just Knitting Along...

Finished Clue 1 for MS3, started Clue 2.

Finished both sides of Clue 4 for MS2, and started the first half of Clue 5.

I really need to finish MS2 because I really want the US3 circular needles for MS3.

Mystery Stole 3

Mystery Stole 3
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Ok, so it's a crappy picture but as soon as I took it the camera batteries died.

The original plan was not to start this until Mystery Stole 2 was completed. However, I justified starting this because I've never worked with beads and starting now gave me the opportunity to ask questions during the knit-along.

Now the challenge will be to focus on MS2 when I *know* how much I like working with this Alpaca with a Twist Yarn. I also need to find a longer pair of needles for this project -- or be patient and wait until I am done with #2 so that I can use the US 3 needles that are on THAT project!

P.S. I have the *perfect* little bowl that I'm using to hold a couple of beads at a time for Mystery Stole 3 -- thank you Rebecca, my Secret Pal 10 spoiler!

Mystery Stole 3 Swatches

Mystery Stole 3 Swatches
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Yarn: Alpaca with a Twist laceweight in Black

Needle:
* Top Swatch: Addi Turbo US 2
* Bottom Swatch: Clover Bamboo in US 4

I like the look of the top swatch the best, but the thought of knitting this entire stole with dull tipped, slipper Addi in a US 2 makes my head start to hurt.

I'd like to see the swatch on Clover US 3, but unfortunately, those needles still have (ugh) Mystery Stole 2 on them. (laugh). I am however now almost 1/2 way through the first 1/2 of Clue 4 on THAT project. (hum...I think I *might* have a small pair of Clover Bamboo circulars in a US 3.....I'll need to dig around in the knitting bag)

Each swatch does have two beads added in so that I could see how that process worked -- and let me tell you that not having the itty bitty crochet hook makes it a pain in the ass. I had to resort to using mint flavored dental tape. It does make the swatches smell good!

5 Hour Baby Sweater #2

5 Hour Baby Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I recently got a part time job and I am replacing a girl who is having her first baby. She has been wonderful training me and this is my baby shower gift to her.

Cutting it really close...

Whew....
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

This small ball of yarn (next to wine cork for reference) is what was left of my second skein when I finished up my Lutea Lace Shouldered Shell.

I tried to get a photo of myself wearing the tank, but it's nearly impossible to take a decent photo of yourself - and more so when I historically look stupid in posed photos.

Lutea Shell - Second Go Round

Lutea Shell - Second Go Round
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Well, here's what the project looks like this morning! I reballed all the yarn from the previous version last night and recast on with the smaller size!

Since I've already made this same project once this week, I'm thinking this will go quickly! However, I am also working more hours this week and have a Pampered Chef commitment on Saturday. My goal is to get this done in the next 7 days.

OH! And I got my Ravelry invite yesterday!! Yippeee!! Look for me under "PixieM"

Lutea Lace Shouldered Shell

Lutea Lace Shouldered Shell
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

The back is completed, so I thought I would share a photo before I ripped it all out. Yes, I'm ripping it out to start over.

I really should have pulled it on before I got this far....I have a warped sense of my size. I was between sizes so I chose the larger size and should have gone with my gut instinct and chosen the smaller one. It just feels too baggy and would look better more form fitting.

On the upside I am now really familiar with the pattern, have figured out the errors in the lace pattern plus I knitted what I have here fairly quick. I also don't like the curled edge at the bottom and am going to experiment with a turned under hem instead? Or maybe a garter stitch edge?

Estes Park and Lutea Shell Progress

Went up to the Estes Park Wool Fest early yesterday morning and had a grand time. Can you believe all I bought was a Wet Felting Kit for $15.00? Well, I did also stop in at a friend's jewelry store in Estes and brought home a gorgeous Larimar ring with the money I didn't spend on yarn. The highlight of my day was scratching a yak on the nose and having him snuffle in my palm.

On Friday night I finished up the body of the Lutea shell! Woot! I set it aside to start the lace straps and luckily found the errata BEFORE I started. However, what I didn't find is that that errata was missing a key phrase from the designer...causing me much frustration last night that left me almost in tears and hitting the whiskey at 11:30 AM this morning.

And where does one turn in times like this? Googling for other knitting blogs, of course. I want to publicly thank Jeanne of Jeanne Knits, for emailing me back and indulging in my ramblings as I sorted out this pattern in my head even though I'm a complete stranger. I love knitters.

Hit the Farmer's Market this morning and got some new plants for the garden -- green sage, greek basil and rosemary. Also got some homemade dried Thai linguine that is destined for a peanut sauce with shrimp, 4 large cinnamon buns, 2 vanilla lattes and 2 breakfast burritos -- oh! and some blackberry creamed honey from the bee lady. A very good haul this morning. I was bummed that this season we haven't see the guy selling fresh sockeye salmon. I've got some red chard in the fridge that I would like to serve with salmon tonight, so I'll have to head to the grocery this afternoon.

Now that I have the Lutea lace pattern sorted, I'm off to knock out the right-back shoulder strap!

5 Hour Baby Sweater

5 Hour Baby Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I finished this the other week but had forgotten to get a photo of it and then left it hanging in the shop as a temporary store sample.

I started this on a Friday night and was seaming it up on Sunday afternoon. Yes, it probably did only take me about 5 hours. As soon as I finish up the matching cap and/or booties it will be wrapped up and sent off to the recipient.

SP10 Package Arrived

DCP01985
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I love when the mailbox has a package in it -- and it's the best when it's a Secret Pal box!

This one contained 3 gorgeous skeins of baby alpaca yarn, a lovely ceramic bowl that is going to become my new kitchen salt cellar that sits out on the counter, 1 fun glass fridge magnet and two delicious smelling bars of soap.

Thanks to my Secret Pal!! I hope I get to see you at the Estes Park Wool Fest, check your email for my mobile number so that we can connect!

My Boxer Girl

DCP01964
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I was cleaning up photos on the digital camera and found this one of Allie; so I thought I would share.

Allie does not knit and could care less about knitting or yarn. Because of this she is not accompanying us to the Estes Park Wool Festival this weekend. She may however attend the Denver Knitting Guild Meeting this week because she DOES like to socialize.

If you don't know about Allie, she's my 6 year rescue boxer who came to us at 7 months old and had already been in 4 or 5 homes before being given up to Ho-Bo Care Boxer Rescue. By the time she got to our house she was people and dog aggressive due to the bouncing around from home to home at such a young age.

We fostered her for about a month, got her into an adoptable frame of mind and she was placed with a very nice family. Once in her new home, she copped an attitude, beat up the other boxer in the house and in general was a complete pain in the ass for couple of weeks that she stayed with that family. She was brought back to our house where she is now in charge of making sure the cushions are held down firmly on the couch for at least 5 hours a day. [Note: The family who brought Allie back to us was extremely nice and a different boxer was adopted by them when Allie was returned to us. They tried very hard to fit Allie in with their family, but apparently she was just meant to be with us.

Allie has been with us for the last 5+ years and has become a wonderful dog. She has passed her AKC CGC certification and is working on the responsibilities of being a therapy dog.

New Projects in the Works

Yesterday I cast on for the "Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell" in the Summer 2007 Interview Knits. I'm using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in 'Praire Lupine'. Two other women at the shop cast on for the same project yesterday, I can't wait to see how they all turn out!

Speaking of yesterday, I took my pop-up canopy to the shop to set up outside on the patio for WWKIP day and it was a blast. We had salad, brownies, hot dogs, strawberries and beer. We even got a little knitting done.

I also picked up one skein of Alpaca with a Twist Fino in black for Mystery Stole 3. I know, I know, I'm still working on two.....

On the agenda for this afternoon is sitting in the sun room knocking out slipper #2 so that I can felt Dirk's felted clogs.

Finished: Bamboozle Tank Top

Bamboozle Tank Top
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Yarn: 5.5 balls of Bamboozle by Crystal Palace
Needles: US 9 & 7 Denise Interchangables
Pattern: Free from the Crystal Palace site

However instead of knitting in two separate pieces, I knit in the round until I go to the armhole shaping, then knitted each side separately.

Pattern was easy, well written and I love the yarn. I will make this pattern again, but next time I will resist the urge to be finished and make the straps about 2" longer. The tank fits fine, I'd just like a little more ease in the armholes.

I've been tagged...

Ok, we all know how this goes....Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves.

Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Except I'll cheat and not tag anyone else...

1) I learned how to drive in a open wheeled formula car (specifically a Lotus 51, an example of which is pictured at the right) and was eligible for an IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) racing license in my very early twenties.

2) Though I very much enjoy fast cars, I have never been on and never plan to be on a motorcycle. They terrify me.

3) I own more shoes and purses than reasonable. I have purses in my closet that I have had since the mid-80's.

4) I type without looking at the keys, which is handy because most of the keys on my laptop have worn off.

5) I feel completely "off" if I am not wearing my watch.

6) I am allergic to various fruits, but I can smell an unpeeled banana and know whether it will cause an allergic reaction or not.

7) I was a "Dead Head" for a number of years following the Grateful Dead around the country.

Bamboozle Tank Top

I'm seriously starting to worry that I don't have enough yarn as I'm getting ready to switch from in the round to the back and forth bit at the top to make the arm decreases. I'm also starting to wonder if it was wise to think that I was smarter than the pattern by knitting it in the round instead of following the directions.

What's the worst that will happen? I'll run out of yarn and the pattern will laugh at me. And then I will rip the tank top out, pick out a new pattern while laughing back at the original pattern.

Have an urge to start a new lace project even though I have one in a project bag that really needs to get completed and a pair of felted clogs that I promised my husband I would make for him.

Socketta Socks

Socketta Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Finished my second pair of socks for the month! I *really* liked this yarn, it's got a great feel, lots of stretch and I hope it wears really well.

Size: Women's Small
Needle size used: US 1 Addi Turbo
Yarn: Socketta Cotton Blend Socj Yarn
Method: Toe-Up, Magic Loop, Two at Once
Who the socks are for: ME!
Date finished: Sunday, May 28, 2007

Playing with Alpacas Again...

Oh my gods, I can't believe I haven't posted yet about the excitement of this past weekend -- we went to a friend's alpaca farm to watch the shearing! It got even more exciting when Dirk was asked to help wrangle the alpacas down to the barn floor -- the big males can be really ornery and can spit pretty nasty stuff. Anyway, it was very cool to see the process.

I just started a new project! What? Of course it's a pair of socks. I *love* the Socketta cotton blend yarn and requested that it be stocked at YarnArts. Photos to come later today. I'm still working away on the Bamboozle tank top, another yarn I LOVE. It drapes very nicely, works up evenly and the stockinette edge isn't rolling! I also need to share a photo of the lace wrap made with Ironstone Yarns "Pizzaz". It's a gorgeous novelty blend yarn that has been enticing me at the shop for the last two years, but at $37/skein I needed to find a good one skein project for it.

My father-in-law got his socks and they fit perfectly (whew). I was so scared about making socks without being able to measure the recipient's foot first, but all was well in the end.

I'm gathering together the items for my final Secret Pal 10 swap package. I can now see why people can get addicted to these swaps -- I love to give gifts and coming up with different fun stuff to include in them!

Well, I have a meeting in about 30 minutes, so I'm off for a fun and exciting day!

Knitting Meme

So how does your own list look? If you post this on your blog, put a note in the comments here letting me know to take a look!

THE RULES

• Bold for stuff you’ve done
• Italics for stuff you plan to do one day
• Normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing

THE LIST

Afghan/blanket (baby)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Hat
Moebius band knitting
Sweater
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip-stitch patterns
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Knitting with circular needles
Cable-stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Scarf
American/English knitting
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday-related knitting
Knitting with cotton
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Swatching
Long-tail CO
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegated yarn
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Intarsia
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Knitting a gift
Knitting in public
Teaching a woman to knit
Knitting with metal wire
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Knitting with silk
Participating in a KAL
Drop-stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted-stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two-end knitting
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Publishing a knitting book
Teaching a child to knit
Knitting to make money
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Teaching a man to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting with beads
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Stuffed toys
Darning
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Pillows
Rug
Thrummed knitting
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Slippers
Graffiti knitting (knitting items on or to be left on the street)
Olympic knitting
Knitting smocking
Knitting art
Machine knitting
Knitting on a loom
Hair accessories

Knitting Stash May 07

Knitting Stash May 07
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's a photo of my knitting stash storage at the house.

The black trunk was my husband's grandfather's and is stuffed to the brim with yarn. The basket of books on top is all that is keeping the lid from flying open. :)

The big blue bag is my spinning wheel folded up and in it's padded bag.

Who's Secret Pal 10 rocks?

Mine!

I got a wonderful box today with a cheery pink wrapped package -- and what is even funnier is that these are the same colors of tissue paper that I used for my secret pal packages!

The pink package was soft and squishy, it smelled nice and crinkled a little when I squeezed it.

There was even a little card with a sweet sheep on the envelope!

So, do you want to know what was in it?

* 2 skeins of "grape" handspun, hand dyed yarn. I'm already thinking about what a great thick scarf it would make, I'm imagining it with Aran type cables...

* Vanilla "Lip Blam!" With the dry Colorado air, this was a wonderful surprise. I use a lot of lip balm and this one smells really good. I have it on right now!

* A bag of heathered red roving. :) I'm digging right into that tomorrow!



Thank you, SP10!! I love everything!

What's New with Me!

I couldn't live with the jacked-up handles versus bottom on Cotton String Bag #2, so I carefully undid the 3 needle bind-off, changed the bottom to a round bottom with smaller needles so that it is more solid. We tried it out a the farmer's market on Sunday morning and it did a fantastic job of holding 1 lb of pasta and a green chile breakfast burrito. :)

The yarn is Butterfly Cotton and it took one ball plus a bit from a second ball. I did like the heaviness of the Fantasy Naturale of the first bag better, but this was easier to knit with.

I also started a tank top with a center front cable in Crystal Palace Bamboozle in the Strawberry-Lime color.

And because I knit like I cook, patterns are occasionally just "suggestions" - so I am knitting this in the round instead of flat front/back pieces. Why seam if you don't have to? I love this yarn, the color is divine, I love that the stockinette edge at the bottom *doesn't* roll and the drape is fantastic!

I just hope that I have enough yarn and that the damn thing fits me well. I'm thinking it might be wise to pop in another long cable onto my Denise needles so that I can see how it really fits around my torso before I get too far into the body.

Finally, I have my first iris bloom of the season!

Herb Garden and screwing up knitting

My herb garden is starting to fill in after a long cold winter!

The soapwort has engulfed it's corner of the garden and is almost as tall as the whiskey barrel pond already in some spots! The skullcap is poking up between the irises and has invaded other parts of the garden where it *knows* it doesn't belong -- the thyme plants hate being crowded by it! The enchincea's spiky leaves are up, valerian is thick and bushy and the rue looks to have tripled in size from last year.

As always the chocolate mint is taking up more room that it was originally allotted, the elfin thyme is getting greener and greener on it's rambling path across the rock wall and the St John's Wort is hiding in the daylilies.

I'm hoping that the tri-colored sage is able to recover from a horrible accident involving my husband and the lawn mower last season and that the lavender continues to fill in the open spot at the end of the driveway.

I finished cotton string bag #2 last night. However, I was paying 0% attention and started the three needle bind off on the bottom about 1/4 of the stitches before I should have. So, the handles go this way, while the bottom of the bag lays flat that way. (laugh). I'm going to have to live with it because I'm not certain I can undo the bind-off, pick up the correct stitches and correct it without making it worse.

Father-in-Law Socks

Father-in-Law Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Size: Men's Medium
Needle size used: US 1 Addi Turbo
Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote in "Tom Cat" color
Method: Toe-Up, Magic Loop, Two at Once
Who the socks are for: My father-in-law
Date finished: Sunday, May 6, 2007

I *HAVE* to get some sock blockers. I hate that my socks look all weird when they are unblocked.

My Favorite Spring Flower

I got an email this morning from the organizer of the Secret Pal 10 Swap asking about our favorite flowers, so I grabbed the camera to take a photo of some of my favorite flowers - TULIPS!

We've got a selection of pink and pink/white ruffled tulips blooming in the front yard right now. They make me smile everytime I see them! The pink ones in this photo are growing in the patch of chocolate mint. :)

I also found out this week about a Knitter's Coffee Swap, but I missed the deadline to join so I have to remember to check on that again at a later date for a different one!

Did you feel the earth stop spinning?

Last week I was couch bound by some wicked upper respiratory crud that still has me a bit winded. The crud was so bad I couldn't even knit.

Yesterday, however, I did take my friend Kati's "Cotton String Bag" class and get started on the bag with some varigated cotton from my stash. I got the handles done, the edging done, started the bag itself and then prompted screwed up the bag's body pattern requiring me to rip back to the edging. The cotton yarn is extremely difficult to knit with and I feel like I'm wrestling with it. However, I will love the completed bag and will enjoy taking it to the farmer's market with me.

Father-in-Law Socks...

I've turned the heel on the socks for my father-in-law but now am a little concerned that they aren't the right size. I used the charts in Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks as a guideline, but I think I started turning the heel too early. I think I'll head to the yarn shop either today or tomorrow to find someone with a women's size 9 foot to try them on. Yes, I happen to know my father-in-law wears a woman's size 9 shoe...(snort)

Nothing else new on the needles, but I did teach a private beginning knit lesson yesterday afternoon and enjoyed it very much.

Father's Day Socks for John

Father's Day Socks for John
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's the start of the socks for the yarn that my father-in-law picked out last weekend. I'm a little nervous about fit because I can't have him try them on like I do with Dirk or myself. The only other person I've made a pair of socks for outside of Dirk and me is my mom -- but she has the same size foot as me so I tried them on as I went.

I'm using the sizing charts from Sensational Knitted Socks and am going to find someone at the knit shop with similar sized feet to try them on before I get too far. Though if they turn out to be too big, they will fit Dirk so not all will be lost.

These are also the first socks of mine that can count towards the 5280 project. (See blog button at the side for more information about this project!)

PS These are plain vanilla K2, P2 ribbing. I wasn't feeling inspired.

Friday Night Sit 'n Knit

I love to go to YarnArts on Friday nights. This Friday we had a special guest stop by....my husband and his father. I really thought Dirk was kidding when he said "maybe I'll bring dad by the shop..." as I couldn't imagine anything more boring to my father-in-law! However, I forgot that he does enjoy pretty women and there is no shortage of them at Sit 'n Knit!

They stayed for less than 20 minutes, however both men did pick out sock yarn and put in a request for socks. They even picked the same yarn -- Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn in the 'Tom Cat' colorway. :) I cast on the first pair last night and will need to decide what foot/leg patterning I want to use once I get the toe increases done.

Tomorrow night I have another 'Toe-Up Sock' class that I'm teaching. I love to teach these classes! If you are in the Denver area, the class is from 5 to 7 PM and is $20.00 at YarnArts of Parker and I've got room for a few more students!

FO: Wool Peddler's Shawl

It's DONE!

And the photo is pretty crappy....and it still needs to be blocked. Once I sorted out where the markers go along with how and when to move them, the pattern was really easy. The only difference I'm noticing in mine is that I didn't do any "partial" repeats of the pattern in the middle, so I've got some stockinette stitch were on the cover of the Folk Shawl's book, there is lace. However, I love it!

Knitting Update

I'm on the second to last lace pattern repeat on my Wool Peddler's Shawl. Goal is to try to have it completed by this weekend so that I can wear it during the impending snow storm I've heard is heading our way.

I turned the heel on my cute little lace socks and now it's dreadfully boring knitting round and round and round up the cuffs. This is why my socks always wind up as ankle socks... However, I'm determined to make these really tall. I also am dying to cast on with the Sockatta gift yarn that I got recently, so I have to either finish the lace socks or buy another Addi Turbo 40" in US 1. However, I don't think the husband will see the merit in purchasing a new needle because I'm bored with the project currently on the needles...

Let's see what else is new....erhm...nothing much. Well, if I want that shawl done I think I better go get knittin' on it!

Great Adirondack Yarn.....

...sigh.... Yarn Arts just got in some of the most beautiful yarns!

They are G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!!

Neck Down Sweater -- 100% Complete

The final decision on the length was determined by the tiny bit of yarn left over after I finished the neck -- which was very little. Because I don't want to use a whole 'nother skein of handpainted yarn at $24.95 for just another 1-2 inches in length, I'm going to leave it as is. *unless of course I change my mind again -- laugh*

Oh, the photos? Of course! Here's the finished product and a shot of the *beautiful* neckline with the correct decreases:

Sockotta Sock Yarn

Socketta Sock Yarn
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

A very dear friend gave me a surprise gift today -- Sockotta sock yarn! YIPPPPPPEEEEE! I've heard fabulous things about this yarn and I'm excited to give it a whirl. I love that it's a cotton/wool/nylon blend because it will make great summer socks! And my first pair towards the DenverKnits 5280 sock challenge. However, I must first
finish the lace socks currently on my favorite sock needle.

[Note: Rumor has it that this yarn may be coming to my LYS soon.]

I'm 3/4 of the way through the first lace repeat in my Wool Peddler's shawl, it's going very well -- FINALLY. I had a *very* rocky start on the lace which had me on the verge of tears and ready to throw the whole thing in the trash. I actually yelled at the cat for purring too loudly while I was trying to decipher the pattern. (snort) The pattern wasn't written clearly to me about where the markers go and when you increase stitches INSIDE of them. Then I found an extremely helpful worksheet online where someone had written out how many stitches were between which markers on which rows and now it's perfectly clear to me!!

Sweater Update: I picked up the stitches for the neck ribbing last night. Got it all done, looked at it and noticed that it was very apparent this was my first go -- the decreases were will-nilly, some were backwards -- all and all it looked like utter shit. I pulled them out, got some good advice a YarnArts and a fellow knitters blog. I'm now confident the neck will be completed tonight and I will be happy with the results.

Secret Pal 10 Gift

Secret Pal 10 Gift
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

How lucky am I? Look at the goodies I got in the mail yesterday from my Secret Pal!!

Chocolate, yummy smelling soap, a cute notepad and a delicious hank of hand dyed fingering weight yarn!

I love the colors on the yarn and I'm picturing it as a little lacy wrap/scarf!

You can see the edge of the box that everything came in and it's so pretty I don't want to throw it away. I told my secret pal that I was going to send it to my assigned secret pal with a note telling her where I got and suggesting she use it to send her package to HER secret pal with a note asking her to send it on and so on and so on...

Wool Peddler's Shawl

Wool Peddler's Shawl
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

knit, whoops! don't forget the yarn over, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit, knit..and on and on and on.

This shawl is going to be gorgeous. I love the yarn.

And to give you a better idea of the size thus far, here's a quick photo of one of the world's most annoying cats enjoying himself by rolling all over the shawl while I was trying to get a decent photo this morning:

Wool Peddler's Shawl

Wool Peddler's Shawl
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I've had the book Folk Shawls for about a year and last night I finally started one of the patterns in it. :)

It's the Wool Peddler's Shawl and I'm using a heathered red 100% wool by Galway. This is the first time I've used this yarn, but I recommend it all the time at the shop as so many people really like it. Now, I can confirm that it is wonderful -- it's soft, spun very well and is working up evenly.

Stay tuned for details!

It's done -- I cut up a fair isle sweater!

Here is the body and sleeves laid out for measurements.








Here's the first armhole for the sleeves cut open.

woo-hooo!






Here's the the front cut open so that the sweater becomes a cardigan!







In case you are interested in seeing what the sweater looks like inside out







And finally here's the sweater being modeled by my bunny!

Top Down Sweater 03-2007

Top Down Sweater 03-2007
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

99% done and I have just a small bit of yarn left on the current skein.

I hope it's enough to finish the neckline, if not I do have another whole skein of this yarn. I was hoping to not have to use it so that I could return it for something else, but oh well, if I do, right? It's better to have too much yarn than not enough. :) If I do have to use the final skein, I'm also going to unravel the bottom edge and make a turned under hem instead of the ribbing and make it a bit longer.

Ok, I've mentally worked through this sweater via this post....I'll use the last skein so that I CAN make it longer and with a turned under hem.

On Friday I was looking at the little lace socks, decided I couldn't live with the miscount in the lace and pulled both of them off the needles and re-balled the skein. I re-cast on and am almost back at the same point at the picture in the post down a little further on this page. I also started and almost completed the first arm for my bear sweater this morning at the shop, thought it looked to big, pulled it all out and THEN asked Kati's opinion to which she replied that the arm should look big in comparison to the body since teddy bears aren't shaped like people. shit...back to square one.

I stopped at Blockbuster and got three movies, so in about two minutes I'm going to head back out to the sunroom, pop in a movie and crank out two sleeves for the bear sweater before I reward myself with an amazing bottle of wine. :)

Golf Club Cover - Stripes

Golf Club Cover - Stripes
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here is the version of the Golf Club Cover that I'll actually be using for the class I'm teaching in April. I think it came out really cute! Almost makes me wish I golfed so that I could knit up some fun and funky covers for my clubs...

This week I also got the information for the SecretPal 10 swap. Woo-hooo! I love to make up gift boxes and I've already started a box by my desk of things to send off to my pal as well as making a list of things I need to go get or make. :)

I got up really early this morning, cranked out all my work so that I could curl up on the couch with some knitting, my boxers, my husband and watch a DVD this afternoon. I will sheepishly admit that we are addicted to "Nip/Tuck" which is what is on the DVD agenda today.

Yes, I've been Knitting!

I've gotten a lot done in the past week! Finished the body of my top down sweater and started on the first sleeve in addition to the following projects:

I finished my new felted clogs. My previous pair had to sadly be tossed into the bin after I walked holes into the bottoms of them. :( They will be sorely missed, however, I *LOVE* these hot pink ones! Wool is Cascade 200 and the novelty by diVe is called "Vermicelli". As always, this is a quick and easy pattern to knit up and since my feet are the smallest size, I can crank these out in a weekend.



How could I not have a pair of socks on the needles? These are a lace pattern that I've managed to screw up about 5 rows back and have no intention fixing since it's not life threatening that it's wrong and quite honestly, I'm probably the only person who will ever notice. The yarn is Trekking XXL in colorway 107. I like how they are coming out. The heels will be the Queen Kahauna gusset heel for toe-up socks.



Here is one of the current projects that I am the most proud of! This is my first go at Norwegian steeking, you can see the row of stitches up the front of this fair-isle tube where I will be (gasp!) be cutting this into a cardigan. I then have to cut out sides where the sleeves will be placed. Ok, so it's only teddy bear sized, but none the less I'm jazzed about learning a new technique and am thrilled at how it's come so far. Recognize the Cascade 200 leftovers from my clogs? This actually knit up really fast, I did the whole body yesterday at the shop.




And finally, yesterday at the shop we were brainstorming about new class ideas, so I volunteered to knit up a golf club cover for as a store model for an April class. I still need to duplicate stitch in a number "'3" to mark which club it goes on. This was pretty fast as well, I started last night, got 1/4 of the way through the houndstooth in about 2.5 hours. I finished it today in about another 2 hours.

I've really gotten into colorwork lately and have been working very hard at practicing the tension on two handed stranding!

Sweater Update!

I'm at the end of the body!! Woo-hooo!! I can't believe how FAST this sweater went. However, I can't decide how to end it -- ribbing? a hemmed edge? I think I'm going to hold off on this part while I can get the opinion of Sophia at the yarn shop.

Onto the sweater arms this week -- ugh -- which means math to sort out where and how many decreases to get to the cuff. Which I will then have to wait to figure out how I want to finish.

P.S. I'm also wearing my new black & pink felted clogs. :)

My Sweater is growing!

DCP01884
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Here's the progress after one week. I'm at the "quick" part now -- round and round and round on the body. This morning I started at where the arms were divided so I got a TON done today while I was at the shop. It's easier for me to mindlessly knit while chatting -- and I had a wonderful afternoon of idle gossip and chatter to keep my needles flying.

I don't really want to do the hem with standard ribbing, so I think I'm going to give whirl at a turned under hem.

DCP01885
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

Last night I stopped working my sweater at the armpits so that I could stop in at the shop to get confirmation that I was stopping at the right spot.

And because I can't bear to watch a movie and just sit on the couch, I started new felted slippers! I walked big holes in my first pair and really needed to get moving on these. This is possibly one of the *easiest* and fastest projects around. I started and completed this last night, I do need to make the outer sole and the second slipper, so by Wednesday I imagine you'll see them on my feet.

Yarn: Cascade 200 with 'Vermicelli' novelty yarn in the cuff.

A New Sweater on the Needles

Neck Down Sweater
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.

I started a neck down 'V' neck sweater over the weekend. It's a "non-pattern" pattern - which means I'm making it up as I go.

The yarn is JJ's Handpainted and it's being knit on US 9 needles.