The Big Reveal

Yesterday I received the final package from my Secret Pal. I was amazed at the plethora of great gifts and totally stunned that she managed to be such a great pal through a very chaotic summer.

Without further ado:


Look, not only did she wrap everything (just like Solstice!), she even matched the tissue paper to the card - amazing.


Lemon parsley anti-bacterial hand gel and lavender mint hand lotion.


Mmmm, hot cocoa mix, perfect for these rainy days we've been having.


I think the only material thing I love more than shoes is yarn; this notepad is perfect.


Chocolate covered sunflower seeds (already hidden from my daughter) and strawberry Pocky (which I will share).


Caffeine, my drug of choice.


Little Savory Bites crackers - these are already gone.


And last but certainly not least, 320 yards of beautiful orange yarn hand spun by my Secret Pal especially for me! I am so touched that someone would take the time to do this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Finally, I know you're all asking who the fantabulous SP is............it's Carla from My Little Tribe. Stop by her blog and say hello, get a good dose of liberal activism and learn how to make yogurt.

Thank you again, Carla, I love everything.

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In other knitting news I've been working on Scatter and will post a progress shot soon. I'm a little worried that I might not have enough yarn but I always worry about that so I am choosing to trust the designer. I didn't work on it yesterday but pick it up every chance I get and just reached the neck shaping.

Done

I stayed home today because I wasn't feeling well. The good part of that is that I got to catch up on Math 4 Knitters, Lime & Violet and Craft Sanity. I also finished Hedera.


I couldn't be bothered to put on 2 socks so I mirrored the image of one...

Pattern: Hedera from Knitty Spring 06
Yarn: Rowan 4 ply Soft
Color: Wink - 377
Source: Yarn Market (it's left over from one of the baby cardis)
Needles: Unknown brand, metal, US1, 7" DPN
Size: Women's Large
Started: August 6, 2006
Finished: August 21, 2006
Modifications: I have a big foot, I normally cast on 72, and I know this lace pattern is stretchy but I was concerned about the ribbing section. I cast on 70, worked 9 rows in the twisted rib pattern and then decreased 10 on the last row.
Notes: I did a total of 31 pattern repeats and the socks are a smidge snug, I should have done 32.

It Was This Big...

Dear Anonymous Designer,

I know you mean well. I was so excited when I saw the beautiful cabled sweater pattern on your blog. The cables were brilliant, the neckline oh so flattering. I know, from you picture, that you are more petite than I but I also saw that you pattern went up to an XL.

Imagine my disappointment when I opened the pattern I'd purchased and found that the XL bust size was a measly 39 inches. It's true that 39 inches is indeed a large bust line but it is not enough for an XL and now I must rework all the math in your lovely pattern if I am ever to wear it.

Please, please, please look at some standard size charts before you make your next pattern; I recommend Annie Modesitt's or the one at yarnstandards.com.

Thank you,
Emily

---

Note: While writing this I did have one particular designer in mind but in actuality it could be any number of well meaning designers out there who just have no concept of what it is like to go through life without being able to see your toes.

Welcome to VT

We have a new VT knitter and blogger. Stop by Lovely Purls and say hi to Megan. a recent transplant from Brooklyn, now living in Mont-peculiar.

Blinded By The Fractal

How awesome is this light?



The directions are here.

1 Down, 1 To Go

Here is my first completed Hedera. I'm using US1 DPNs and Rowan 4-Ply Soft in Wink (left over from one of the baby cardis).



I'm also finished with part 1 of 2 of the mystery project. I'm getting very bored with it though so I may have to rethink how I do part 2.

And finally, especially for Margot, a little orange:



Margot, let's talk about the trunk show on the 26th, I'm totally in to it.

My Neighbor

How awesome is Adrian? This is the coolest pattern ever!

Knit Nerds Are The Best Kind

This product could have real potential.



Some questions I would ask:

• Does it work for both pickers and throwers?
• Would it work if you fair isle with a color in each hand?
• Would you need a different base for each size of needle or one base for all your needles?
• Could it really work?
  

Secret Pal 8

My spoilee from Secret Pal 8 received her final package today and now I can reveal who she is and what I sent her.

Meet Andrea, beginning knitter and crochetier extraordinaire. I have been admiring how this self-proclaimed wip & chain fanatic hooks her way through beautiful items with apparent to be ease and grace.

I had fun spoiling her and sent three packages:
Package 1
Package 2
Package 3 and 3

I had a great time Andrea, thank you for your kind posts.

Best Weekend Ever

We had a busy, perfect weekend. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from Saturday because I didn't think to bring my camera. But Saturday I packed a picnic dinner with fried chicken, potato salad, roasted asparagus and watermelon. Then Elah and I had a picnic with Reba, Ron, Galandrielle and Lucy at Oakledge park. We also did a little kite flying (except me, I did some kite dragging).

Sunday started with Elah, who loves to get up at 6:30 on the weekends, sleeping until almost 10!

Sunday we swam at the pool.


Marveled at the clear sky.


Took Flat Scout to the A&W in Middlebury, along with Reba, Ron, Galandrielle, Lucy, Emily and Bill.


Saw this creepy church sign.

I get the point they're trying to make but it's flawed in two ways:
1) It sounds stalkerish and gives me the heebie jeebies
2) People don't live any better when they're being watched, think Flavor of Love or Big Brother.

In knitting news:

One finished Fetching fingerless glove.


One mystery project.


One finished pair of footies for Elah.


Pattern: Generic
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Color: Hyacinth - 9989
Source: I think I got it at Creative Habitat
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo, US3, 16"
Size: 8 years - Women's Small
Started: July 30, 2006
Finished: August 2, 2006

172

eBay Woes

I bought some Regia Nation (Fun) on eBay with visions of super cute rainbow (it is my middle name after all) stripe socks. I won the auction on July 24 and pain of July 25. Unfortunately I have yet to hear from the seller. So frustrating.

**Update**
I finally heard back from the seller on August 6th. They apologized and said that they were out of stock and should have more in this week. The also said that they thought they had already contacted me which is why I hadn't heard from them.
I understand that mistakes happen but I probably won't be buying from them again.

Knitting Nature

I've been thinking about buying Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan. There are a couple of patterns that look interesting but I'm still on the fence. I've heard mixed reviews from Yarn Harlot, Grumperina and CMEknit. Luckily my LYS is having a Knitting Nature trunk show. Any local knitters wanna go with me?

Sighted

Guess who showed up today?

To The Point

Grumperina posted about the possibility of Addis with pointier tips! Can you imagine, they would be the perfect needles. Read all about it here.

Following is the email I sent.

July 27, 2006
Subject: Pointier Addis

Dear Ms. Skacel Haack,

I’m sure that since the possibility of Addis with pointier tips has been put out into the blogosphere (thanks to Kathy aka Grumperina), you’ll be getting many letters like mine. I do not knit lace, though the idea is appealing, but do knit many socks and love cables, and often find myself wishing I had pointier needles.

I love Addis. Their lightening quick finish (some may even say Turbo), superior join and soft, fluid cable make them an ideal choice. Unfortunately, I often find myself knitting with Inox simply because they have the sharper tip that I desire. Should Addi come out with a line of needles with a pointier tip but like the Turbo in every other way, I would gladly and joyfully replace all my non-Addi circulars.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email.

Sincerely,
Emily XXXXXX
Burlington, VT
802-XXX-XXXX

Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.
-Benjamin Franklin, statesman, author, and inventor (1706-1790)

Thank You!

I think the universe is trying to send me a message. At the post office, while waiting for the postal worker to go get the latest package from my fabulous secret pal I read the following quote on a CF calendar:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi

Imagine my surprise when I opened my package and found some sticky notes with the same quote. OK, I'm listening.

My SP also sent a beautiful card and 5 skeins of Gedifra Korfu, 50% cotton 50% microfiber, in my favorite color. Thank you, SP!

In other news I think the frogs (yes I know it's really a toad) are trying to reassert their first place status. Observe the new resident in my flowers:

Burn Baby, Burn

Pattern: Generic, a bit from Handy Patterns, a bit from Sock Soar on 2 Circs, a bit from my own brain, a bit from the web
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Potluck
Color: Brights
Source: Kaleidoscope Yarns
Needles: Inox Pearl Grey, US1, 29"
Size: 8 years - Women's Small
Started: July 9, 2006
Finished: July 19, 2006

This is my first official pair of top-down socks with a heel flap! I was concerned about casting on too tightly so I cast on US3s using the Twisted German Cast-On method. I am in love with this cast-on, it is neat and super stretchy. I love the yarn and Elah thinks it looks like fire. I also made this pair a tad big so Elah won't grow out of them so quickly. She loves them. One day I'll make myself a pair of socks...

Jack Frost Nipping At Your Nose

I know it's summer and I know it's 95+ outside but winter is just around the corner. Will you be prepared?

You could knit a GIGANTIC scarf:


Or, if you hate your ears and want them to fall off, one of these:

It Takes A Village

I am finally done with both of the Baby's First Tattoo sweaters. They both knit up quickly but then sat around my house, in pieces, waiting to be seamed. Enter Jessica to the rescue who graciously agreed to take both sweaters home with her and seam them. When they came home all I had to do was pick up the collar stitches, kit the collar and seam that last 1/4 inch or so at the top. Awesome! As a thank you gift I got Jess some wooden US1 Blue Sky Alpacas DPNs is a beautiful tin (They're new so they're not on the web page yet). They're perfect for all her sock knitting.

The green one went to my landlord; he and his wife recently adopted a baby from Guatemala. The pink one has been sent to the woman who was Chair of College Council when I was Chair-Elect. Coincidentally her daughter's name is Rowan.





Pattern: Baby First Tattoo Sweater from SnB Nation
Yarn: Rowan 4-Ply Soft 100% Merino
Colors: 388 Military & 367 Leafy (green), 389 Expresso & 377 Wink (pink)
Source: Yarn Market
Needles: Inox Pearl Grey, US2 circ (pink), Addi Turbo, US3 circ (green)
Size: Child's 18 mo.
Started: April?, 2006
Finished: July 13, 2006

I have to apologize for the poor quality of the seam pic, I forgot to take pictures of Jessica's beautiful seams before I sent the sweaters out so I had to take a picture on the fly with my phone.

Knit up the yarn is lovely, soft & squishy, and I love the stitch definition. Unfortunately when I was knitting the 4 plies felt cordy running through my fingers and the yarn sometimes hurt. I'm happy that the finished garment doesn't show any signs or retain any of the discomfort felt while knitting.

Technically these two sweaters are my first completed sweaters. The pink one, which I finished first is a little wonky around the collar and there are some bits on the green one I'd like to do better the next time around but all in all I'm happy with them.

All Aboard!

What to know what this is all about? Go here.

Toe Up From The Flo' Up

Remember how I said I was going to post some short row tutorials? Well I could never compile a more complete list than Sara over a Knitwerks so instead of reinventing the wheel I'll just redirect. The only link I would add is the short row (wraps, not YOs) video over at knitting help. Enjoy!

Done!

Pattern: Wendy's Toe-Up Sock Pattern
Yarn: Schoeller and Stahl Fortissima Colori / Color 9069
Source: My Secret Pal - Thank You!
Needles: Inox Pearl Grey, US1 29"
Size: Child's size 1.5-2 (shoe)
Started: June 25, 2006
Finished: July 2, 2006

I was a little nervous about this yarn because it seemed a bit scritchy but one wash revealed a soft, super comfy sock! I used Wendy's pattern but after swatching I actually used the Handy Book of Patterns to figure out how many stitches to cast on and then I used Booty McCutie's feet to measure as I went along.. I bound off with a US4 Addi Turbo because I bind off tightly. They fit perfectly, maybe a little too perfectly. When you have a 5 1/2 year old who is as tall as an 8 year old you should know better than to buy or make items that fit perfectly. If you do, they only fit for about 2 weeks.

E loves her sock and wanted to wear them when I had only finished one; she said that mismatched socks would be fine. I made her wait until they were both knit and laundered.

PS Technically this is my first pair of socks. In the past I knit other socks but had a serious case of SSS and never finished (or even started!) the second sock. The result was a couple of socks living in my stash mismatched in yarn, color, and size; they've since been frogged.

Nice Thong

Someone asked me if I could find a pattern for a thong sock but I can't remember who so I'm posting it here. I also am not quite sure if it was a thong sock or a sock that's like a glove for you feet but hopefully I got it right.
Link

*Update There's another pattern in the new Knitty

Teach Your Children Well

Count no day lost in which you waited your turn, took only your share and sought advantage over no one. -Robert Brault

Sorry, Charlie

So the frog has been my favorite animal for many years, with the octopus coming in a very close second.



The frog just got replaced.

Thank You

That is my first package from my Secret Pal. I actually got received the package Friday but had a crazy busy weekend (which consisted mostly of getting a ridiculous sunburn) and then was out of town for two days for the President's Council retreat (I could wax poetic about the leadership in this college but I'll spare you). Long story short it's taken me almost a week to properly thank my secret pal. So, without further ado...

THANK YOU!

What you see above is a notecard with a frog on the front and a handwritten note on the inside. Two single pot bags of coffee from Paul deLima, a roaster local to my SP, both fair trade. A bag of Honey Acres Honey Gummies. Two skeins of Schoeller and Stahl Fortissima Colori yarn; a self-patterning sock yarn, 75% superwash, 25% nylon. And, last but not least, an assortment of three items from Stonewall Kitchen, grapefruit thyme hand lotion and bar soap and rosemary lime antibacterial hand gel. To top it all off my SP wrapped my gifts is orange tissue paper, my favorite color. Thank you again, SP.

Speaking of sock yarn...I couldn't wait to try the Fortissima. I cast on a pair of socks for Elah on Sunday evening, observe some progress.

Girl Who Has Casual Sex

Maybe because it's Friday and I'm exhausted but I thought this was hilarious.