Happy Post Election Day!

Hey Robin!
I meant to post this yesterday and just can't be bothered to change the title...lol. Needless to say I am pleased with MOST results but lemme tell you something...

Today I am blocking the second of four wedding-blankets that I am seaming on behalf of my fabulous group of knitter-friends in Ravelry for some of our beloved just-married women. The first one was well-received by our "Chair person" a.k.a. Swap Momma. Todays is... well... today's is for one of the sweetest most gracious and generous people in the group. We all love her and she recently wed the love of her life, who just happens to also be a woman. They have been together for more than a decade and were so thrilled to be able to be official in the eyes of the law. We were all so happy for her and then the last ballot happened. How can people be so cruel? Why does government HAVE to do this? Why is it anyone's business?? I just can't believe it.

Right now the blanket is soaking in a bath and I am hoping it will dry quickly (for it has been rahter wet locally) so that I may send her the warm-wool-hug that we have all labored to create for her.

On the lighter-side of things. I have gotten my swap package from the latest Malabrigo Swap! I swear these packages just keep getting better and the longer one has to wait the better things seem to get. My swapper had to wait a little while because she was in the midst of a move from Alaska to Texas! Wow!! The best thing about that is she picked up little items for me on her travels from North to South! PLUS she made some items for me and I love them. I wanted to share with the blog-world what she sent, so here goes:

This is what greeted me upon opening the package. Oh the possibilities that lie therein!
Don't be fooled. That case apparently can hold a LOT of loot!!

Viola! Description first and close-up pictures to follow.... So when I open the shipping box I see first a fuzzy foot. I knew instantly that I had received another stuffed otter. Can you see how cute he is?? Right now he's sitting on my desk cheering me up. Otter was cuddling up with a skein of Dream In Color Smooshy (a very descriptive name for a sock yarn, australian merino wool, washable, in the Dusky Aurora colorway) that Jen (my swapper) said she needed to de-stash from her collection. WOW! Can you say 'generous'!? It's a beautiful colorway and I can't decide whether it will be something lacy or some smooshy-socks. The dilemma!

Next I notice the wonderful case with the map-decoration (OK I noticed it way-sooner but work with me here, I am trying to tell a story here) and pull it out of the box to discover it is so full of STUFF that it can't be closed!! Inside this box-o-wonder (or treasure chest as it were) were SIX, count 'em SIX skeins of our beloved malabrigo. Oh. My. Gawd. Three skeins of worsted in the Verdes colorway (swoon!) and three skeins of sillky in Celeste (the light blue). Amazing. I already think I am going to make a Shetland Triangle (seen in this post) in the silky, but with three whole skeins of worsted I have SO MANY choices that it's driving me nutso! :D

Among the wool-loveliness were many well-assembled items that prove how well I was stalked during the required-stalking-period. They are: a tape measure (mine just broke, I have been using it sans-case and I really should have more than one anyway), a delicate pair of scissors with a hand cross-stitched scissor-keeper (which is just something big that makes it harder to lose your scissors in a massive pile of material... unless you are me) hopefully you can see the lovely picture in the stitching, some lovely stitch markers (tee-tiny ones that won't get in my way), some lovely mulling spices (love!), some SOAK for washing my creations, a pair of gorgeous ceramic buttons that I can't wait to use, THREE patterns from my Ravelry queue that I cannot wait to cast-on, a hat which might be an Odessa (without beads) that she made for ME which I have worn almost constantly since receipt. Last but not least, there were two keychain critters from Alaska. A moose and a bear... that poop.

That's right folks, I have pooper-keychains. *lol*. They are delightfully gross and I love them. Can't explain why... I just do.

The whole package is enough to make me cry! It's so nice to have someone think about you so much that they end up sending you something that's just perfect for YOU. I have thanked Jen many times but I must do it again: THANK YOU JEN!! You are a sweetheart!

In other news, I finished a test-knit for another Mal-Junkie and am geared up to start another for her. This one is her Kettering Hat (Ravelry link), it's not a style I would have picked for myself initially, but that just shows you how fashion-dumb I am. This knit up quickly and was LOTS of fun AND... I love it. It looks great and feels wonderful on my head. (Mine is knit up in Tuareg colorway). Don't I look happy?

Next up are some mittens using her Faberge-stitch pattern (remember the neckwarmer?)

Anyway, I hope you are faring well and that Emme continues to keep you on your toes!
Later!

Rockin' the Swap-bah

Hey Robin!
(Yes, I know the title sux, cut me some 80's slack ;)

Doood! I sewed! Lookey!

The pattern for the kneedle roll was simple enough for my brain to comprehend (even so, I made a couple of mistakes but SHHH!! You are sworn to secrecy... oh hello world wide web? Were you listening??) And ended up with a TON of fabric left so I whipped up a project bag from the seat-of-the-pants region and it's cute if I may say so.

If it isn't already obvious, these items are going to be in the posession of a deserving malabrigo swappee sometime next week I believe. Along with some other fall-themed goodies! I had an awesome time with this swap because it's seriously the first time I got a Chatty-Kathy and she made it SO EASY to stalk her and figure out what her loves are!

In other news, I made a hat with the most difficult cast-on that I have attempted to-date. I kid you not I re-started this thing 7 times.

The first time the cast-on didn't work, i frogged and looked on the hallowed www to find another way of doing the same thing. This is a tubular cast-on ladies and gents. The one from the book was VERY different from all the ones I found in my frantic Ravelry-search that were recommended. I finally settled on an Italian version, with a video! (I heart you Fluffbuff!). After many aborted attempts to get it right, I finally got SMART and used a different yarn, bigger kneedles and cast on fewer stitches (listen, when you are trying to make a hat with 132 sts, ANYTHING is better than having to try to do that 5 times in a row!) and magically it just started to WORK! I held my breathe, cast on the 132 sts needed for the hat and gave it a go. It worked!!

He loves the hat btw. Has worn it every day since (well it HAS been chilly in the a.m.). I think the only thing I will change when I do this again is do that cast-on row in smaller kneedles. I saw that recommended somewhere and I have to agree. It makes for a super-stretchy edge, and so his hat is a little 'flared' at the edge, but it still looks great. I plan to use this cast on lost and lots even though it's a p.i.t.a. ;)

On to the holiday knitting!! :D

Later!

Got it! Part Deux!

Hey Robin!
At long last I have gotten the "spoils" of my other swap!

This was the "Going Green" swap where required items were: A hand-made market bag; an item of the fair-trade persuasion; an organic or non-toxic type cleaning product. Go here to see the bag and washcloth I made my swappee.

My gracious and wonderful swapper lives in Canada and she and I have had a ball writing back and forth to each other (this was not a secret swap). She did this swap while she was in the midst of fixing up AND moving into her NEW HOME!! Amazing. I couldn't have done it and she did a wonderful job! Lookey!

The box before I ripped everything out of it and made a cloud of tissue-paper-pieces

All the items out-of-box. You can see the thoughtful note she wrote out to me. And the other unwrapped items are some method wipes, a LOVELY smelling candle (that has cashmere in it?! woah!), a bag of "gummy pandas" (seriously Kimmer, they are ALMOST gone!), a stack of "K" post-its and a washcloth she knitted for me!!

But wait there's more!

..."The Hell you say!"

...I do not lie!

Shall we move on?

Alright then:

Here you can see a close-up of the market bag she knitted for me! It's so lovely and it looks VERY strong! I will use it often! Plus the neatest-pooling washcloth. How did she figure out how to do that?? There's the wipes and above a pound of some great smelling fair-trade coffee. Can't wait to try it!

Here you can see the nice candle (in the tin) it really smells so pretty! The "K" post its (fun!) and a box of her favorite cookies (they aren't crumbs Kim! I can't wait to try them but right now I am o.d.-ing on Gummy Pandas!) and 5 balls of Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in "sunshiney colors" because she heard it rains a lot in Seattle and thought I would like some sunshine in my world. HOW SWEET IS THAT?! It's supposed to be enough to make a sunshine market bag. I'm totally going to do that. Can't wait to get started...

Thanks Kim! You made such a lovely package and I am so happy!
I hope that you are getting all that furniture up those tight stairs and getting settled! :D

Later!

The Eagle has Landed!!

Hey Robin!
I whined and complained and moaned about waiting for my MYB (Magic Yarn Ball) and I feel like a toad because it CAME!! It's wonderful and I feel so spoiled (again... the Malabrigo Junkies are the bestest). Here is my Photo Journal on the unveiling of the package:

The box-o-goodies, just opened; The MYB still wrapped! Oh the anticipation!


All the "stuff" in the box! And this is BEFORE I unwrap the ball (which is btw Spunky Eclectic 100% Alpaca sportweight in colors that are PERFECT for me!)

In front is an adorable needle-felted otter (my favorite animal!) and a copy of the pattern for Green Gables, can't WAIT to start that one! There's two, count 'em TWO hanks of Malabrigo worsted in the Loro Baranquero colorway. Very hot. Very.... enticing. Mmmmm....

In the edibles department, there's a bag of Ghirardelli's dark chocolate collection, Little Guy LOVED the raspberry stuffed one and I noshed a caramel stuffed one while unpacking (how could I not? The bag was right on top of the box!) and BRACH'S NOUGATS!!!! I swear, my swapper, "Kimothy Jones", is ON TOP OF THINGS! She rocks!

The MYB itself was choc-full-o-things that she knew I would lurve:
<--The Haul, the large items: a BROWNCOAT t-shirt! OMG!!! You have no idea (or maybe you do!) of how much I have wanted one of these but decided not to spend the money! The back says "I aim to misbehave" one of the best lines in the whole show (That would be Firefly, if anyone out there hasn't seen it, you are missing out). A Serenity button-magnet too. I heart it, it's already on the fridge at my eye-line. A PIRATE MUG!! It matches exactly the t-shirt I bought Hub a couple of years ago that he wears rather often, but I get to put my coffee in it. How lucky am I?? Oh and ANOTHER ball of 100% Alpaca from Drops. In a gorgeous blue color that I neglected to get the name of. Nice.
Two packets of Soak, I look forward to trying. Some stitch markers in rainbow colors that I had favorited on Etsy (so cool, they're like chain maille). LOVE THEM!! OMG She was too generous!!
A mini-sock (squee!), awesome buttons, a set of tapestry needles (I really must find out what the three sizes mean) and T-pins!! How did she know I totally needed to get more?!
And this little moment of zen. I've been cradling this little guy around the house ever since he was unwrapped. He's adorable and I love him. He has been introduced to my Otter backpack-purse that I bought at the local aquarium. They are buds now. Totally tight.

Kimmer, you rock. You stalked me well and did a great job. Thank you from the bottom of my Malabrigo-linted-heart. You are awesome.

Later!

Pirate Messages and other Yaaarrrrns...

Hey Robin,
OK OK! Uncle! Uncle! I'll post the Pirate message!! Please don't take away my rosewood dpns!

Here, for those of you who might be a little confused, are the contents of the Pirate-themed message that I sent to my latest Malabrigo-Yarn-Swappee (mentioned in the previous post):

Aaaaar! So I suppose, young Lass that ye’ve noticed the fancy pouch that this ‘ere cannon ball of wonders arrived in. That’s fer the makin’ of small knitterly items and the containment of supplies necessary to the completion of said-items. Use it well and fear not the brandishment of yon pouch as it will allow your compatriots to know you for who you are: YARN WENCHES UNITE! Yaaar!

Inside yon cannon ball of magical containment, you may OR MAY NOT have found these items. It is necessary for me to tell ya the secrets therein or ye may hurt yerself in the mis-usin’ of them. Can’t have ye spearin’ a cable with a stitch holder!

It is the hopes of the Yarn Wench sisterhood that ye may find use for the spare cable needles (‘J’ shaped) and stitch holders included, the guild hall is filthy with them and no yarn wench should be WITHOUT!

Also necessary in the outfitting of the Wench is the comestibles. Namely the CHOCOLATE! The innermost container was purloined (we will not say how… some things are best left unknown) at the nearest shack of Honorable Joe: Trader. He never fails to keep a hungry Yarn Wench from starving! The portable packets of Liquid chocolate are for emergencies. I would have sent you the milk goat to re-constitute the drink, but alas you will have to find your own as the curs at Postal Offices will not allow it!

Pouch mirrors, bedecked with image of pirate chick… not to be confused with Yarn Wench! To be used afore the storming of local merchants or pubs! Aaar!

The guild finds it useful to keep notes regarding the location of stash or treasure, parchment has been included for this need. Use it well!

Should you find your hair giving you problems when you are storming above yarn merchants or pubs, find inside a useful tool for holding the tresses away from your sharp and all-seeing eyes!

I know you be workin on a mastery of stockings, therefore I have added a holder for your work-in-progress. Mind that you put the work into the BLUE TUBE first! Then slide yon red tube over to keep the mess from coming unraveled.

Also, glass rings of beauty to adorn your fair neck!

We Yarn Wenches have found use for tools which can keep our places when we are plotting the maps of our trade! The maps can be mighty ornery without them… contained herein find several so-called “book darts” to aid you in the conquering of the dreaded chart.

Alas, when you are unable to carry the Yarn Wenches Pouch or use the Yarn Wenches tress-container… we afear for your safety. That is why there are also buttons with the telltale symbol to aid you in identification!

Lastly, materials are always needed in maintaining the status of Yarn Wench. That is why the whole cannon ball of goodness contains the cream of our trade’s crop… the coveted Malabrigo... and if ye canna find something ter do with it… look inside the plastic holder to find NEW dreaded charts to tickle yer fancy. Wear them all well and GOD SPEED.

I leave you with the battle call of our people!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARN!!

All better now?
Later ;)

Ramblin' Ramblin' Ramblin'!

Hey Robin!
Hope your weekend-of-4thness was worthwhile and fun! We had our usual slew of fireworks shows here, but since it doesn't get dark until 10, the fireworks don't start until 9:30 or so... and tend to continue until the wee hours. I slept through the wee hours ones, and fortunately so did the Little Guy.

So I don't know if I mentioned to you before that I ripped the Jaywalker. It was sad, but had to be done. After reading the Mason-Dixon post last month about "letting go" of the unloved WIPs I had the strength to do it. I am so glad I did because I immediately cast-on a toe-up sock using Wendy's generic sock recipe and i am SO MUCH HAPPIER! After turning the heel I decided to use this as a test for a stitch pattern I liked and wanted to turn into a sock. I think it's going to work:

Don't mind the safety-pin... that's uuuh... it's nothing. No really...

The next pair with this stitch will have it going down the top of the sock I think... just for more texture. I love this yarn of course, I usually go on and on about it... Hazel Knits Artisan Sock yarn. Did I mention that Wendee has been kind enough to let me come be a pest for an hour or so tomorrow? (That would be Wendee of Hazel Knits... not Wendy of the generic-toe-up sock!) I get to see her studio! I hope she lets me help her for a little while, she's got a lot of work to do and I hate to take up her time unless I can help out!

I also finished the knitting part on another felted tote. Again it's me using up a bunch of leftover bits of unidentified wool (at least that's what I hope it all is!). I'm going to throw it in the wash with the next load of blue jeans... i'll let you know how it turns out! But for now it's like this:

I loves me some blue.

Last week or sometime around-abouts-then I sent off my second Malabrigo Swap package! Wahoo! No offense to my swappee, but she isn't very 'involved' in the swap board, and that sure doesn't make it easy for a swapper to stalk! Anyway, she mentioned she likes Pirates and I glommed-onto that like a suckerfish and had a hard time focusing on anything else... so PIRATE THEME it is!!

I found the darling pirate knitting-project bag on Etsy From Miss Fiber Fox! Isn't it great? So well made too... I love supporting artisans on Etsy... it really feels like I am supporting a great group of people even though I don't know a-one of them from Adam!

The ball itself (called a Magic Yarn Ball) is supposed to wrap up a whole-scad-of-stuff to be found gradually by your swappee as they knit from the ball.... yeah PHOOEY on THAT! I know when I get mine that I am unwarpping that puppy faster than Little Guy unwraps his birthday presents! Hopefully the swappee will realize that it's way more fun to just upravel the MYB than to wait. The yarn is Malabrigo worsted in the Stonechat colorway (She said she liked Earth-tones and that's what this said to me...) and there's also a skein of laceweight in intenso inside because looking at her projects page... she may SAY she likes the Earthtones but she sure has a lot of PINK!

There's all kinds of helpful little goodies wrapped up inside, and a box of Trader Joes chocolates (which is the real reason I hope she unravels the dang-thing soon!). I also wrote her a Pirate-note describing everything and I had a lot of fun writing that up. I would love to post the whole message but I already feel like I am boring you with all this drivel!

And after the pacgage has been there for 4 days (yes I tracked that sucker like a missile) i realized that maybe the reason I hadn't gotten a "Thank you" note was that i NEVER TOLD HER WHO IT WAS FROM! *sigh*

I hope she liked it

Later!

Feeling a Little Behind?

Hey Robin!
I am so-not-caught-up here. I seem to keep forgetting that updating my projects on Ravelry does NOT automatically post a pithy-update here. AND WHY NOT we might ask?! Casey get on that! ;)

I seem to have forgotten several "dones" so I will list here. Hopefully I will not repeat myself...
DONE!

Starting at loafer: One pair of loafers for my Aunt using the CocoKnits Malabrigo Loafer Pattern which i LURVE and which is so handy. This time I used that 100percent Wool (I may have the name wrong). I gotta say the material is nice, but I probably won't purchase from them again *alas*. Then a Chinese Waves dishcloth and an Everlasting Bagstopper for a swap-pal! The purpose of this swap was to make a market bag (either knit or crochet) and include a fair-trade product of some kind and an organic yarn. I sent her a skein of Malabrigo Organic Cotton because I AM a Malabrigo Junkie and must spread-the-word! It was a fun swap and I look forward to getting my goodies :) I will share as soon as I get them, I promise! Other things i recently finished have already been posted so I won't go there again. However there is one notable that I have not recently spoken about and you may notice has disappeared from the sidebar WIP list. The Jaywalker.

*sigh*

I was just not meant to have this sock. I have had several false-starts with it and even when i get-gauge I am not haveing a success with the fit! I know it's supposed to be tight, but I am always getting "loose" and i just don't have the strength to do it again. Never say never though, I may try again another time! It is a super-easy pattern and really looks neat! Except on my foot:

Icky wrinkles and the fabric just felt too stiff. Ah well. I LOVE the yarn though! Hazelknits Artisan Sock in the Greenlake colorway LOVE! Even though I just frogged this sock, I immediately cast-on something simple so that I could have a portable-project. Namely Wendy's Generic Toe Up sock pattern. I am already at the ball of the foot and can tell things are going well. I hope to put a picot hem on it to jazz it up a little, but really I am just looking foward to a sock that FITS! (Did I mention that my Greenman socks have gone all wonky on me??). Yaaay for fitting socks. :)

Speaking of swaps, I gotta get this puppy out of the house! It's my "Magic Yarn Ball" and it's gotta get outta here before I get in trouble! (Gotta find a box "square" enough though! Yipe!)

I wrote out a great letter to go with it, but I want to wait to post its contents until after the swappee has gotten it. Sorry!

Other than that I am still attempting to Liberate my Laceweight (No darling! I haven't forgotten you!) and have also started another felted tote bag, though I am going to try to make it with a pair of wood handles I purchased ages ago... we'll see! Once I have something to show there I will show it ;)

Meanwhile nature has a little WIP going in my front yard!

Squeeee!

Later!