Happy Camper

I am a happy camper this week. I completed the second Hint in the Secret of The Stole ii KAL and I should be able to finish Clue 1 in Dem Fischer Sin Fru (The Fisherman's Wife) tonight. Which is all well and good because QUIDDITCH starts TODAY. Any time now as a matter of fact. This will be round one of the Hogwart's Sock Kit Swap 4 Quidditch matches. Go Slytherins!! I have my HSKS4 bag design on paper. I need to buy the yarn now. I have been looking around but I have not seen the right tones for my spoilee's house colors. I also found some choice goodies on Etsy this morning.

There was a slight hitch in my Ebony Elite Scarf Swap pal's package delivery. She resides in Toronto and they are very serious about their delivery requirements. I did not know her phone number :( Hopefully she will have it in a day or two. I hope they don't still charge me 2-Day Delivery fees, I have to remember to check my invoice (note to self). I sent it on Jan. 22, 2008.

Dharmafey mentioned me on her Socks in The City podcast, it always makes my stomach flip flop when I hear my name on a podcast :) I am so glad she was my sock swap pal!! I also just ordered some of her gorgeous Cosmic Fibers yarn. The green is so divine. I cannot wait to add it to my yarn collection.

I received the 1st Rockin Sock Club 2008 package and pattern. Very nice. I don't know why, but I am digging the red yarns lately. I have been told that the color suits me, so that's a good thing

Waving from San Francisco.

The weather is chilly dilly but it is beautiful and clear.

New Equipment

Since I have been having so many technical difficulties lately I thought it was time to get some new equipment.

Wood type: birch Length: 11½ inches Core: Kelpie Hair get your own wand!

Copasetic

All my little computer glitches are fixed. I have finally caught up on the Ravelry Forums and personal messages. Unfortunately I am not getting any knitting done. I have Clue 4 of the Spring Shawl Surprice to knit. Hint 2 for The Secret of The Stole ii will be coming tomorrow and Dem Fischer starts tomorrow as well. I think the most worrisome thing is the distinct lack of sock progress. I keep planning to knock off a pair or two and pull two more mystery bags, but alas the two socks on my needles remain heel-less.

Hmm, I just don't know what I am going to do. I had a couple of bag ideas for my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Pal but every time I go into the forum I see more, and more ideas. Now I am not sure what kind of bag I want to make. So much inpiration out there!! However, I did get her stitchmarkers in the mail yesterday. I buy all of my Hogwarts stitchmarkers from Sunneshine's etsy shop. The quality is spectacular. I LOVE the ones I got for my pal, I wish I could have them - oh well, it is better to give than to receive. . .

Please shop elsewhere. I have been receiving an alarming number of requests to purchase or trade for yarn in my stash. Although I probably won't ever knit my stash in my lifetime, I have it because I WANT it. Especially the Wollmeise. I have had requests for other yarns in my stash but several for Wollmeise. I waited and patiently checked weekly just like everyone else until I could finally get the colors and weights I wanted. I understand what having unfilled yarn cravings can be like. But I can't help you - please shop elsewhere, thank you!!!

Technical Difficulties

The Knitting Faeries obviously sent an e-mail to their cousins the Computer Gremlins. My Sister was having trouble with her CAD Drawing software and I could not access Ravelry for TWO WHOLE DAYS!!!! So we went to Staples bought some memory and a system maintenance kit and attacked the problem. I never work inside of anyone's system without static wristbands, and I gave up long ago (about the time the bifocals came into my life) trying to get the screws out of the back of a laptop with a nail file. So I bought a new tool kit, grounded myself and popped another 1024 of RAM into her machine. She's flying now. I e-mailed Code Monkey Casey about my little problem and after a few minutes in the Lingr Ravelry Help Chat room I learned that the latest update of my Firewall Software does not like Ravelry. I created a little work around and it's all good now. But geez I had messages waiting over there - you know?!?

Since I could not Ravel I did get caught up on my stash photos, and I finished a couple of things. The Crochet Square Afghan pictured below and The Secret of The Stole ii Hint 1. I also bought two more 66 Quart Sterilite storage containers for my new Raven Collections Yarns and my Wollmeise.

Behold :



The stole is in Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 colorway Sable.

Craft Workstation

I bought myself a craft workstation from JoAnn.com It is one of the combos that includes a clip on lamp, tool tray and drafting chair.

1 Alvin Creative Center Combo- 30"x42" White

1 Premo Drafting Chair Black

I have also clipped my ball winder onto the table for easy access. What a difference!!! Now my lace charts are close and easy to read. I applied a few Stikki Clips to hold them in place. The table top is 42" across so I can finally get rid of the card board pieces I had been clipping the charts to.


I finished Clue 2 of the Spring Shawl Surprice and I am about to cast on the Secret of the Stole ii. My new stitchmarkers from Entrelac and Hide and Sheep are really going to come in handy.

I also finished my queen sized crochet square afghan. I think I want to make the border a little thicker when I have time. I have not taken pictures of my WIP lately, and I still need to add photos of my Raven Collection to my Ravelry stash. I am a little sore from relocating my yarn stash, and moving and assembling furniture all day yesterday. I think I'll take a nap.

Knitting Faeries

Okay I was a wee bit skeptical when Dharmafey started her podcast with a little tip for dealing with uncooperative yarn and such, controlled by Naughty Knitting Faeries. But having tinked rows 70-73 of my shawl project four times I said, what the hey I will give it a try. Dharmafey's advice was to take off your top and turn it inside out, and if things are really bad - backwards too. Put it back on and get back to your problem yarn or misbehaving knitting. Silly no?!?! Well I was very frustrated and disappointed that I could not get past this point on my Spring Shawl Surprice. The time I was spending tinking was time I meant to spend turning the heels on the two socks I am knitting. I gave in, what was there to lose, the dog thinks nothing of backwards clothing on his mom. So I took my sweater off and turned it inside out and put it back on. I made it to ROW 80 with no further problems and I completed the other 8 rows of Clue 2 last night. Wow, knitting faeries, who would of thought . . .I have dealt with computer gremlins before, but knitting faeries?!?!

I received my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 4 partner, yay. I am ready to shop. I have so many ideas they are bursting out of my head. I have lots of things I want to get out to the Slytherins too. Luckily I have this long weekend to pull all of these things together. The Alumnis are getting on my case about us being behind in house points.

Spring Shawl KAL and So Forth

I have completed Clue 1 and half of Clue 2 (pictures are clue 1 only) of the Spring Shawl Surprice pattern. I love it. I am using JaggerSpun Zephyr Main Line 2/8 in the colorway Peacock. It is a teal color, very nice to work with. I am using Addi Lace Turbos in US size 5/3.75 mm. I have got to get more of these needles with a longer cable. I swatched with US size 4/3.50mm needles and I was going to have to stretch the heck out of the shawl for the laciness I want. So I just went up one needle size. I am much happier with the laciness.



We will be starting the Secret Stole ii next week. The signups for the Hogwart's Sock Kit Swap close today so I should be getting my Slytherin's info today or tomorrow. I am looking forward to checking out their blogs!!

I received the last two cones of my JaggerSpun from Sarah's Yarns. The French Blue and Williamsburg colorways. I love my BLUEs!!. My Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Raven Collection also arrived. I have big plans for that yarn. I bought one of each in lightweight. I am sure you can guess, I will be using it for a couple of shawls/wraps, but can you guess which ones? Then you are better than me, because I cannot make up my mind LOL :D

I received my confirmations for the Rockin' Sock Club 2008 and the 2008 Year of Lace Kits. Yay!!!

I had to order some more "abridged" audiobooks. They are a bargain at less than $5.00. The unabridged versions cost $25 - $40 for the same titles. I tried podiobooks but the advertising and some of the readers just grate on my ears. One of them, which was read by the author, was a really good story, but the author's reading was horrible. I was so glad when the book ended. I spent my Barnes & Noble gift card and stocked up on several titles, most of which I have print copies of on my bookshelves.


Still having trouble with Ravelry. Sometimes I get in sometimes I don't. I have not checked Casey's blog yet but I am sure he has posted something about this. I will look later. I found a few new podcasts that I will add to my links shortly. One of them is a video podcast, which are really fun to watch.

It's On It's Way Soon

I have finished my Ebony Elite Pal's Scarf. It is pretty nice if I must say so myself. My Mom liked - but you know how Mom's are ;) The stitch pattern I chose from the 200 Ripples book made a nice chunky scarf in the Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky. I have the perfect box and no reason to wait. So I am going to get this little package into the mail this week.

OMG No Ravelry

I could not log in to Ravelry a couple of nights ago. I did not panic, I knit.

I could not log in last night or so far today. What could this mean? Have they reached their Beta peak? The last few times I did get in, there were well over 1400 Ravelers logged in. Have we overloaded the system with our stash??? Oh dear, I hope not. My greatest fear of course is all the work I put into my notebook may be lost - heaven and hell forbid!!!

Mystery Bags 1 and 2

The first two bags have been pulled. Lets see what we will be knitting up first.










BAG # 1 holds Perchance to Knit










BAG # 2 holds Regia Multi Color













Casting on . . .

Hmm, Not So Much

I was experimenting with posting directly from Flickr so I could access blog photos at work. Don't like it so much. Flickr puts too much in the titles and clicking on the photos takes you to Flickr instead of a larger photo, like when I upload them from Photoshop. So I won't be using this technique again.

Y-ugly :{

It's In The Bag

It's In The Bag
Originally uploaded by paletpc

Step Three: alrighty then, I have completed the selection process. Wound up all the hanks and skeins. The chosen yarns are in their little bags and ready to begin the big Sock Yarn Mystery Bag game. I will select the first two tonight. Any guesses which yarns will come up first?

Ready To Go

All Wound Up

The Chosen Ones

Note to Self

Mystery Sock Bags
Step 2: Winding Hanks Into Balls
The Duet accent yarn is too small for a swift. Cherry Tree Hill, Claudia Hand Paints and probably Shi Bui are all too big for the swift so the yarn catches on the ends of the spindles. All above must be hand wound on the regular ball winder, not the electric ball winder.

Another Note to Self.
Post more comments!!!! on EVERYBODY'S BLOGS !!!!! I just discovered, to my heartfelt disappointment, that Carrie Dennision of BritKnit Cast has decided not to resume her podcast. When I brought up the site to see when she would be starting the new series, there was a note in the sidebar that she will not be back. Below the note were links to other knitting and fiber podcasts that Carrie liked. Of all the links only 2 of the podcasts are still on the air. I have also been popping into some of my favorite blogs and seeing that there have not been any postings on some of them since the summer or before ( ahem, before Ravelry - just saying ). So for those bloggers who are still making the time to share and post I have got to leave comments EVERY TIME I visit, before they too are gone. Carry of Autumn Breeze Designs does the Knit Wit podcasts and she says comments are the biggest thrill of all. So I must also make time to visit my podcasters, even if I don't need to read the show notes, and just let them know I appreciate their time.

Last point on this, I have been spending so much time keeping up my Ravelry Notebook, which in turn requires keeping up my Library Thing and Flickr sites. My blog posts have therefore become fewer and further between. I am not sure I like this result. After all, blogging is how I discovered this online crafting world, and not everyone is into Ravelry. Balance is definitely needed. And Lord knows there is plenty knitting to do . . .
Cheers

Mystery Sock Bags

Step one: the yarn line up.
1. Seacoast Handpainted Yarns Panda
Colorway Surf
Merino, Bamboo, Nylon

2. Fearless Fibers
Colorway Tiger's Eye
Superwash Merino

3. Knit Picks Felice
Colorway Clay
Superwash Merino, Nylon

4. Regia Multi Color
Colorway Atlantik
Wool, Polyamid

5. Four Seasons Hot Socks
Colorway Tapestry
Virgin Wool, Nylon

6. Knit Picks Risata
Colorway Ash
Cotton, Wool, Nylon, Elite

7. Dharmafey's Cosmic Fibers
Colorway Gryffindor Stripe
Wool

8. Moda Dea Sassy Stripes
Coloway Swish
Acrylic

9. Fleece Artist
Colorway Amber
Merino Wool 2/6

10. Koigu KPPPM
Colorway 305-256 Purples
Merino Wool

11. Dream in Color Smooshy
Colorway November Muse
Superwash Merino

12. Woolly Boully Softie Sock
Colorway Fishing With My Father
Superwash Merino

13. Shi Bui Knits Sock
Colorway Rapids
Superwash Merino

14. Misty Mountain Farm Jubilee
Colorway Ocean Wave
Superwash Merino

15. Cherry Tree Hill Supersock
Colorway Tropical Storm
Superwash Merino

16. Perchance to Knit
Colorway Deep Sea
Superwash Merino

17. Claudia Hand Painted Yarns
Colorway Thistle
Merino Wool

18. Interlacement Tiny Toes
Colorway 203 Blue Green Purple
Superwash Merino

19. A Swell Yarn Shop Duet Sock Yarn
Colorway Deep Blue Sea
Superwash Wool DK

I am making 19 Bags so even the last pair will be a surprise. Yeah?!?

Starting Out Right

I have all of my Lace Yarn in hand, solids in JaggerSpun Zephyr in various weights. The Spring Shawl Surprice KAL has begun, we received Clue 1 yesterday. I am on Clue D on both of my Mystic Waters Shawls. They are getting really big - nice!!



I finished the Morning Glory Socks yesterday, so that is 33 pairs out of 52. I am stealing Stariel's idea. I have dozens of sock yarns in my stash that I have never knit with yet. Louet Gems, Duet, Fearless Fibers, Koigu, JoJoLand, Soy, Tofutsies, Felice, Risata, Bare, Shibui, Wollmeise, Cosmic Fibers, and on and on. Stariel came up with an idea on her blog, to put some skeins into bags and then pull a bag at a time, being surprised by which yarn is inside. As you go along you eventually knit with all of your different sock yarns. Jazzing up the sock knitting a little bit :) I have 19 pairs of socks left to knit to complete the 52 Pair Plunge KAL, so I am going to make up 18 surprise bags and cast on 2 pairs at a time until all the bags have been knit up. I have one pair already on the needles, which I should finish up this week, for a total of 19 pairs.

I also have some ball winding to do this weekend and photos to take. I did manage to get all of my WIP photos uploaded to Flickr (click the link in the sidebar) and on to Ravelry.

I am also starting the Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap 4 and I have been selected as a Prefect. I sorted into Slytherin house for a change. (Honestly I am bit tired of Red and Yellow too!!) This should be fun. I will be checking up on all of my House Mates blogs to make sure they are following the house rules ;)