My Haul from Stitches

So I had a blast at Stitches West! Mr. T was such a good sport. I even had him fondling yarn with me lol. "honey, you have to feel this. You have to touch that!" He said he had a good time. Now I know he doesn't share my fascination with all things yarn, but I love him for trying! I was a little more spendy than I wanted to be. I took cash, and so I told myself that I was in no danger because once my cash ran out I would be fine. BUT, those people take plastic as well!!! Those Dastards! I am not posting everything I got, just my absolute favorites!
Here is the Schaefer Anne that I just fell head over feet in love with. It's 60% superwash wool, 25% mohair, and 15% nylon. 560 yards in each Yummy skein. I asked Mr. T's advice over which colorway to get, he chose something fun and bright. There were all so perfect and georgeous. I surprised us both by selecting the most muted colors. I am happy with my choice, I only wish I could have brought them all home with me:(

This is Heaven. No, really it is. It's from the Yarn Place in Sunnyvale, CA. 3100 yrds of cobweb lace weight in smoky tweed I think. The content is 45% Tencel55% Merino, and it feels like silk in my hands. I just can't seem to stop petting it. I know it's going to be a beautiful shawl one day, but I am so torn over which one. I have been surfing for patterns that would be perfect. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I am definitely interested!

I also picked up a few balls of Misti Alpaca. Yet another thing I can't seem to stop touching. Now it says it's a worsted weight, but this is definitely DK weight. Mr. T picked out one of the colorways. He is so helpful:D
There were a few other things, but these were, in my opinion, the ones really worth mentioning.

I am already looking forward to returning next year! I had a great time.

Getting Ready for Stitches West!

Well, I am all atwitter with excitement for the upcoming Stitches West Convention! Mr. T is taking me isn't that wonderful? I am promising to be good and not go spend crazy. I won't be attending any classes so I am just going to the Marketplace. If anyone is interested in upcoming events, there is a form you can fill out for a brochure here.


Well, since it is my first time at such an event, I thought I would knit up something to commemorate it. Silly I know, but I only had a couple of days so I needed something fast and simple. SO I made a drop stitch scarf. Not terribly exciting, especially since I don't really make scarves. But it took me just a couple hours and I really love it.

Yarn: Patons Soy Wool Stripes (SWS) in Natural Geranium
Needles: size 13 circs from my Boye Interchangables set.
Pattern: Fun Little Dropped Stitch Scarf

I was looking for something to do with this yarn since I had a few balls in different colorways in my stash. When I saw this at Michael's, I just couldn't resist. I thought the colors were so vibrant and pretty and it felt so squishy even in the ball. I grabbed about 1 ball each of a few colors.

Hopefully I will have some action shots of this fun, little scarf when I head out to Santa Clara on Saturday.

A Hat For A Cause

A very good friend just let me know that his mom is going to be going through chemotherapy soon. She has breast cancer. I wanted to do something nice for her so I decided to make her a chemo cap. I asked him if that would be ok and he said it would be great since she was already wondering what to use when she started to lose her hair. I found out her favorite color was purple as well, so I used a light purple/lilac shade.

Pattern: Lace Edged Woman's Hat

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Needles: Size 6 circ and DPNs

The lace edging was an enjoyable knit for me, and the rest went by very quickly. I didn't like the reason I was making this hat, but I hope it brightened her day just a bit.

More Knitty FOs

Well, here is something I whipped up from Knitty.com's pattern, Calorimetry. I have to say how much I loved this project. It was very quick, one movie. I have been wearing it quite a bit. I had to make a couple more. The first one was just a test knit and I used up the leftover woolease from Sugar on Snow.

Pattern: Calorimetry

Yarn: Woolease

Needles: Size 8 circs

I did cast on 84 sts for this one. I noticed on both the Knitty board and craftster there were discussions about the pattern coming out too large. I also did fewer short rows. It fit perfect.

So I decided that I just had to use some Patons Soy Wool Stripes to make another.

I believe this is the navy colorway, and I used the same mods as I did for the first one. This is definitely my Favorite and I wear it all the time. I love this yarn!!! So soft and "squooshy" lol.

I also did a green one for my SIL since it's her favorite color, I did give it to her before I had a chance to take a picture though.

Sugar On Me... My FO

Well, I was browsing on Knitty and saw the Sugar on Snow pattern and just though it was cute! So I dug around in my stash and decided to whip one up. And boy did I ever! A very fast knit this was.

Pattern: Sugar On Snow
Yarn: Woolease (Leftover Caron Simply Soft from MIL's socks for the tie)
Needles: size 9 circs

Now I do know that I cast on more than the pattern calls for to adjust for the different yarn/gauge, but I honestly don't remember how much more. Forgive me.

Now let's be honest. I haven't worn this yet. I haven't been that cold. I don't quite know how I would feel wearing a hat with a drawstring tie, even though a cute one. I think I would be more likely to wear this as a neckwarmer and just know that is the need arises... I have a hat in a pinch.

I still love it though.

Socks, why am I so Obsessed?

Well, the year of 2006 found me knitting many things. Mostly socks, and mostly for my Dad and Step-Mom, but also for my brother and quite a few friends. I love knitting for appreciative people. It makes me so happy. Sadly I have no pictures as they were all gifted. I believe I have yet to make myself a pair. These are the only ones that I actually took a picture of I do believe. They were for my MIL.











I wanted to make her some nice cozy socks to pad around the house in. She said they were great! They are made out of Caron Simply Soft in a lovely lilac shade. Can't remember the color name I'm afraid. It was done on size 6 DPNs. The pattern is from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks. It's the Baby Cable pattern. I love this book!

Lovefest 2006

Well, so I know I am backtracking here and it makes no sense right. I just had to post the photos of how we spent out wedding anniversary which was Saturday, September 23rd. Of course this was my idea! Mr T. and I attended the San Francisco Lovefest. http://www2.sflovefest.org/ It was such a blast! I danced almost until I dropped. Thank goodness he had the sense of mind to say we call it a night. I don't think I would have ever left and I would have had to be scraped off the sidewalk! Believe me I paid for it in sore muscles the next few days.

Oh the sights to be seen, and music to be heard! It was such an amazing seen of young and old. I did try to take a few photos of the naked, elderly men roaming about, but Mr. T advised against it lol.

My Very First FOs

Well, I taught myself how to knit in the middle of 2005 thanks to the most wonderful Knitting Site Ever. KnittingHelp.com

The videos on this site is what really made the basics and techniques of knitting finally click for me. I really recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning or even for advanced techniques. If you check it out, don't forget to visit the forum. You'll meet some of the most amazing people on earth! Honest!












This is the hat I made for (and being modeled by) my Best Friend Charm. It was my second hat, and also, my first cabled project and first use of Double Pointed Needles (DPNs)

The pattern was found here. It's the Braided Hat. I just left off the pom pom.



This was a needle roll I made to keep my very first needles in, which were mostly a collection from various thrift store finds. Pattern found here.
Here is one of the pair of Mary Jane slippers I knitted out of some yummy red mystery wool. Not sure where the pattern was found, but I believe it was from a thread on craftster.org



Here is a little purse and drawstring pouch. The very first things I ever knitted. No pattern, just rectangles sewn up the sides.

First Hat ever done on straight needles, then sewn up the side. My dad still wears it to sleep in sometimes:) isn't he sweet!





These were also just little pouches made by holding two strands of yarn together. My very first forays into knitting.
I promise I am much better now:)

I have since made many socks right after these projects, and even a pair of leg warmers for my MIL. Everything was gifted so sadly no pics. All in 2005!