Too Hot for Words!

Ugh. I used to live out here in Arizona not that long ago, but I don't remember it being this scorching. I am sure that is selective memory though as I always hated the heat and have recently been spoiled by the lovely weather in Northern California.

Well I made a bit more progress on the grey Baudelaire socks. I haven't been getting much knitting in since moving is quite the ordeal. But I am doing what I can when I can lol.

It's very comfortable on the foot so far. I really like what I did with the toe and I think I will continue to do this on future pairs as well.

Here is a closer look of the toe with extra rows of stockinette stitch. I love it so much that I have actually toyed with the idea of frogging the toes of my hedera socks and extending the St st like this, but I have decided to leave well enough alone. I still love that pair as well.

In case anyone has been wondering about the thing I have been recently keeping my sock knitting in, here it is. It's a really cute aluminum lunch box I found at my favorite bookstore , Bookman's. It is currently holding both sock projects, the pattern (yellow/green paper), my notions pouch, and clicky row counter. I also stashed a couple more pairs of socks in there the other day along with my WIPs, so there is room for more, but I like it with the two projects. That way I can rummage around with no problem.
PLUS, the main reason I picked it up was because I am always afraid my needles are going to get damaged or broken. So the hard tin protects them beautifully. I have a bad habit of leaving a sock in progress on the bed sometimes them yelling out to Mr. T not to hurt my needles as he is about to lie down lol. He wonders why I am not more concerned about him being speared with a DPN lol.

This is the lunchbox all closed with my knitting safely nestled inside. Just so you know, I picked it because of the super cute girls on the sides. I have a weakness for any image of butt-kicking women. I know my pics are always blurry since I never remember to take them in the daylight and have to depend on artificial light and my flash. So for a better look you can see it here.

There was also an Olivia one that I wish I had gotten as well. I don't know if this is a semi permanent solution, but time will tell. So far, I just love it!

Some Progress...

Well, I've been in Arizona lately helping my Dad move. What that means is that there has been lovely air conditioning everywhere I go, plus less humidity. In other words, I am taking every chance I get to work on the second sockotta sock that I was having issues with due to sticky (sweaty ha ha) bamboo needles. So though it has been slow going, I am getting it done. Though I have to admit I can only seem to do a row or two at a time since this is AZ and yes, it is extremely hot!

Also, I have been working on Baudelaire as well. Just added a repeat since last post I think. It's a very simple pattern repeat so far.

More Cookie A Socks

Well I can't seem to resist Cookie A's Patterns. I cast On for the Baudelaire Socks from knitty a couple of days ago.

I used the Turkish Cast On and started with twice as many stitches on purpose. I don't like the toes so narrow as I have noticed they tend to be when I follow a pattern. I also kept knitting in stockinette stitch for a few rows after the toe increases. When I did Hedera, I thought the pattern was carried too low down on the foot and I wished I had stopped earlier and done plain stockinette. I like my toes covered that way. It may look a bit odd, but it was perfect when I tried them on.

I am also, as you may have noticed, knitting them two at once. I am using the knitpicks classic circs size 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) To anyone who thinks that 32inches is too short to do magic loop, these cables are so flexible I am doing BOTH at the same time and they fit fine! This is the first time I am doing two at once. I always thought that I would have a tangled mess, because let's face it, I am not the most coordinated person in the world, but I am actually doing really well, and no tangles to boot!

This is also my first time reading a chart as I used to steer clear of them and always opted for written directions. It is a lot simpler than I thought and makes a lot of sense. Very Cool!

I'm having fun with these so far!

My English Ivy - Hedera Socks

Please No SSS!
I took a break from the purple sockotta since I just couldn't deal with the sticky needles ( I know it's not the needles, it's me, I love those needles) So I won't begin the second one until it cools down a bit. I have never moved on to a new pair without completely the one I am working on. I mean I have cast on more than one pair at once, just never put on completely aside. I hope I don't fall victim to the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome (SSS). Well I cast on the second sock so hopefully I will be more likely to pick it up when I can before it is long forgotten. I cannot bring myself to knit even one row with this humidity!

On to my Hedera Socks...
It is just like me to place an order with Knitpicks months ago and neither post about it or post my Stash enhancement. Well I just bought a lot of sock yarns, Essential mostly, and the two remaining colorways of Dancing, though I am really not crazy about the colors, but love cotton blends. I also bought the Classic Circs in size 0 and 1 (2.5mm)

Wouldn't you know it! I asked the rep if they were going to be bringing out any new cotton blend sock yarns and she said she didn't think so. That is why I bought the Dancing. just DAYS after placing my order, BAM! New sock yarns... and gasp cotton blends! I would have waited a few more days and placed an order for the Risata instead since I prefer the cotton. I would have ordered those in the place of the essential I think. Not that I don't like the essential. Very soft and nice to work with. I just can't see myself placing another order so soon. I am trying to be good after all. I still love Knitpicks, so this is in no way a rant against them, just my impatience lol.

Oh yeah oh yeah... the socks...
I Cast On for Knitty's Hedera Socks by Cookie A. I love this pattern and for once I don't think I modified anything. The heel was quite longer than I am used to and I was a bit skeptical, but I knit it as written and it fits well.
I used my new size 1 circs from knitpicks and had no problem with sticky needles. I LOVE THESE NEEDLES. I can't believe how flexible the cable is and the finish is so smooth! The yarn slides over it so easily.




Yarn: Knitpicks Essential in Grass
Pattern: Knitty's Hedera
Needles: Knitpicks Classic Circular size 1 (2.5mm)



This was a very easily memorized pattern. There was a moment for a few days when I had to sit in the ICU for Mr T. and it really relaxed me. It was a fast knit. Not sure exactly how long it took me. I think I might knit these again down the road if I had to.

Oh Mindy!...

You came and you gave without taking, so I sent you BenGay... Oh Andy!

Sorry that version of Mandy that Homer was singing from the Simpsons episode is stuck in my head and I have been walking around singing it all morning. Why do these things happen to me lol. I am not that much of a Simpsons fan. Never actually watched the show before I got married, but Mr. T is a huge Simpson ( I sometimes think he is the personification of Homer himself lol) and I have since seen most episodes so many time I can actually QUOTE them!

Oh yeah how about that for a tangent?

So, in keeping with the fact that this is supposed to be my knitting blog, despite the fact that most of my FOs don't ever make it on to a camera, I guess I should post some things.

Well, Google was doing this thing with their Google Checkout where they gave you $10 to use with an online store if you signed up for them. Of course upon seeing that there was YARN, I had to sign up. I searched some of the stores on the list and found Tropical Yarns. Since I liked it before when I used it, I bought some sockotta for $10 plus $2 shipping. All I had to pay was the shipping. Woohoo! Even though I wasn't sure which colorway I was getting, the description said pinks and purples and I was too lazy to actually look up the color. I am a fan of pink so I thought why not. I should have looked it up, because as it turned out it was more purple than pink. But hey $2 for sock yarn? I am so not complaining!

I Cast on with the same formula as the other Sockotta sock I made.

Yarn: PLymouth Sockotta (Purple/pink)
Needles: 2.25 DPNs, Bamboo
Pattern: Basic Top-Down Sock Recipe - CO 64 stitches and work in 2x2 rib on cuff and carried down top of foot. Heel Flap with garter stitch edge a la SKS.

Sized to fit size 9 1/2 woman's shoe

I have to admit I am having some trouble with the needles right now since it is summer time and a bit hot/humid. I have sweaty hands naturally, so the bamboo is sticking to me terribly. I might have to put this on the back burner for a bit until it cools off as I don't have any metal needles in this size.

Once Upon a Time...

There was a Feather and Fan stitch sock that just wanted to be beautiful, as well as, functional. Alas, the little thing was turning out to be not so little at all. So she had to be put out of her (my) misery. So she was frogged and reduced to a ball of string for a little while.



Oh who was I kidding casting on 72 stitches for this one. All is not lost though, because she grew up to be quite comfy and cozy, not to mention still funky due to her outrageous bright citrus colors. This is the very FIRST pair of socks I have made myself. I love them so much I have decided to concentrate on ME knitting for awhile.



Yarn: Plymouth sockotta in the citrus colorway
Needles: size 1 (2.25mm) bamboo DPNs
Pattern: Basic Top-Down Sock Recipe - CO 64 stitches and work in 2x2 rib on cuff and carried down top of foot. Heel Flap with garter stitch edge a la SKS.
Sized to fit size 9 1/2 woman's shoe.

I love how this yarn wears. It stands up to machine washing and drying wonderfully. Even though not one of the fancier sock yarns, I definitely see myself reaching for it again and again.

Wine Country, Here We Come!!!

Well, Julia is still in town, so we had another amazing day out. This time we took a trip to wine country! The landscapes are so beautiful in Northern California. Sorry to say this is yet another pic heavy post. I can't help it, I am awed by beauty.



Our first stop was Francis Ford Coppola's Winery. The place was just breathtaking!




I have a weakness for lavender, so I had to snap a shot of the lovely bush. Also, here is a shot of the award case inside the building.


We did a wine tasting there and I must say I enjoyed it. I have a bottle of Sofia Blanc De Blanc as a memento of the occasion. It was just perfect. I was very impressed with this winery. I recommend getting there early though, because by the time we were leaving, the place was jammed pack!


Out on their patio, we enjoyed the scenery and a bite to eat. The food was delicious! Their very own grapeseed oils, and pasta sauce was exquisite. I just kept dipping the fresh rosemary baked bread in the garlic grapeseed oil. Yummy!!!




Another highlight of the day for me was The Korbel Champagne Cellars. I loved having the tasting here because I have always loved Korbel. It is the bottle I reach for most often when a celebration calls for some bubbly. I was very impressed with their selection of the sparkling goodness. I hadn't realized there were so many. My absolute favorite was the Rose, I just wish I could find it in stores. It was scrumptious and sweet. I really liked their Sherries as well. It was like candy lol.


We did visit a few others throughout the day, though none worthy of mention I am afraid. At those we did not linger.



Except here at the Martinelli's Winery, where we stopped for a break in their vineyard and feasted on some homemade cheesecake:) It was a day of sweetness.

After all that we decided to take the scenic way home. California Highway One. What the perfect end to a wonderful day.

We did stop along the way here, and there to walk on the beach and admire the scenery.

It was very cold out on the shore, we were all bundled up, but that didn't stop me from kicking off my shoes and walking in the water. Of course this led to my feet going completely numb for awhile lol, but definitely worth it!


What a great Day this was!

Thanks for letting me share it with you.

San Francisco Dreamin'

Well, my good friend Julia is visiting and we all spent the day in San Francisco. So much fun to be had!

First we went to the Fisherman's Warf. Grabbed a bite to eat at Bubba Gump's. I just loved the atmosphere at this restaurant. It was so lively and fun, and the staff was just incredible. The food was amazing. For an appetizer we had Bubba’s Far Out Dip: Spinach, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and monterey jack cheese make one of the tastiest dips you’ve ever had. Enjoy it with our homemade tortilla chips. YUMMMMMMMM!!!!
For Lunch I ordered the Shrimp Po’ Boy Of course we have a Po’ Boy, and of course it’s made with our famous beer batter shrimp. Delicious!
After walking around the pier, we went to the Ghirardelli Square. Amazing Chocolate and cute little shops.

Then we drove around the City for awhile taking in the sites, drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. We really enjoyed the Hills lol.
In the afternoon, we stopped and walked through the Botanical Gardens. This place was so beautiful and serene. I never wanted to leave. I could have walked around and taken in the beauty forever. I asked Mr. T to take me back for a picnic one of these days.

I did take quite a few pictures at the gardens since it was too beautiful for words.







Hope you enjoyed all the photos. You can imagine how awed I was by this place since I took so many photos. I am renowned for forgetting to use the camera even though it is always in my purse. I really recommend visiting the gardens here.