Thursday, February 28, 2008

I Can't Believe Febuary's Almost Over

Where has this month gone? Even with one extra day its gone to fast. With March almost here,I will be starting some serious knitting.
SKP2008 (Sock Knitters Pentathlon 2008) we will receive a new pattern every other month knitting 5 pairs of sock in 5 different styles. We have two months to get them done, the winner will be ranked by how fast they finish each pattern. The best part is you get to keep the socks you make. At the end there will be prizes awarded. So I knit as fast as I can.

Also starting is Sock Madness 2 in March sometime in the middle of the month. So I have sometime to get the first sock done before I start this one. In sock madness we knit in brackets like in a round robin elimination. There is 7-8 different sock to be knitted all in different yarns and different styles I hope that I can do this. My plan is to use yarn from my stash and I am not allowed to buy any yarn to compete in both of these contests. And once again knit as fast as I can.

On the knitting side I've finished my test knitting. I was knitting a pattern for proofing the pattern was well written I had no problems with it, it just wasn't one of my favorite patterns. But I glad I did it. The pictures don't to the sock any justice it does look better in person.


I also finished Micheal's 12th Man Sock, I had to frog a toe and make it a little longer. But it's done and it fits now.
So I started something simple that I can work on while I'm waiting to knit other item and in between items. I'm knitting Roza's Sock, I have knit this pattern several time and have enjoyed it each time.
I am using yarn I had i my stash Opal Rain forest Fish. I didn't know how it would look but its turning out well. I am going to do a short row heel.
I'll type more later on another day Tony's home from work and wants food, like its the only thing I have to do fed him.
So keep those sticks a workin on those socks. Bye for now

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Knitting Update and Life

Las Vegas
We're back from Las Vegas and trying to return to normal. Vegas was fun and the best part it was warm. The sun was shining and it was warm. It felt so good. The only draw back was I found out I'm very allergic to cigarette smoke and you can't get away from in there it every where. So when I got home, I sound like I have a cold, my sinuses are all plugged up my voice is squeaking, I have the worst sore throat and a cough. But I'm now feeling better, just have a slight cough.
Socks
I have finished my Chocolatiers Nutkins, yarn by Hazel Knits, I LOVE this yarn. It knits so smoothly. I found that I haven't had any problems with it, it doesn't split like other yarn when you drop a stitch and try to pick it up. The color was fun to knit I really enjoyed to knit in browns which isn't one of my favorite colors but I do love chocolate. It reminds me of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and chocolate with a touch of caramel some of my favorite flavors for chocolate. I have been working on a pair of socks for Micheal he picked out the yarn from Hazel Knits "Home Team" the colorway is of the Seahawks our football team. I've got one done and am working on the second one I have done other project in between.

I did a test knitting for Woolgirl, I just had to make one sock and the best part was I got to use Hazel Knits yarn once again. This time the colorway was her "Chuckanut Drive". The pattern was simple and knit up very nicely I enjoyed it. Jen wanted to see how the pattern would look in this yarn.
Right now I'm test knitting a pattern for Carin Boelman, her pattern is a test knit on the pattern, her pattern is called "Little Mermaid", I am using Pagewood Farm Hand Dyed Sock Yarn in Ireland colorway. The yarn is Merino/Bamboo/Nylon (70/20/10) the colors are a mix of greens I thought that it might look good since mermaids bodies are green? I don't know how I feel about the pattern its not one I would knit for myself. But it is fun to test knit for others.

Woolgirl Sock Club

February's Sock Club was the best. I can't say enough Jen out did herself once again. WOW is all I thought. The yarn is by Zen Yarn Garden, an exclusive semi-solid colorway for woolgirl "Blush".The color is perfect for Valentines Day. We also got 2 patterns Blush A twisty heart cable pattern designed by Alina Egerman and Love in the First Degree, for those that don't like cables. An adorable stitch marker, a stitch marker tin, filled with Cupid mix M&M's. We also received a cute heart project bag, they are so spacious, waterproof, and have straps to carry it on my back. Why did I have it when we went to Vegas my socks could have traveled all over with me.

Home Front
Tony started his new job this week. So far he likes it come home a little overwhelmed but over all he is enjoying it. He is running the catering department, he gets to book all the parties but that is what he loves to do.
I'm working 3 days a week but need to go out and look for a new job. I just don't know what I want to do. I think I want out of the restaurants and try something different. I just don't know what.
Micheal is now engaged to his girlfriend, Abby. They are going to have a long engagement, she has to finish high school and she wants to be a dental tec. When she is done with school they will be getting married. Lets hope they have a LONG engagement and no kids before that. He's working a Northwood Casino and hates it, he works graveyard so he's out looking for a new job.
Christopher is studying hard at school, he is working on his Honda Civic its about to be painted.Here's a picture of what it kinda looks like, now it has the door on it and it looks much better now. Everyday it looks better.

Sock Yarn
I've bought some more yarn from "SockPixie" you have to see her yarns they are gorgeous.
Her color are unbelievable. I wasn't going to buy but I couldn't help myself. The first one is called "The Bolt" and "Penette" these two yarns were taken from a group of paintings she has some wonderful colorways. Check her blog out sockpixie.blogspot.com you can buy from her site.
Have a great weekend and I'll try to be better at blogging. So keep those sticks clicking and those sock coming off the needles.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

What's Happening

Well not much has happened around here. Tony's gotten a new job at Homestead in Lynden, He will be in charge of the catering department. He will be starting sometime next week.
Well, my job is another story, I've gone from 12 hours a week to 8 hours this week. With garbage shifts, Tuesday night, I had 3 tables and Wednesday am Espresso Bar so no money either day. So I guess I've got to go out job hunting, something I just don't want to do. But next week that's what I must do.

We are heading to Vegas for the weekend. Tony wanted to get away before he started his new job. So off to sin city we go. It should be fun, hopefully it will be warm and I need to warm my bones. We leave tomarrow and return on Sunday afternoon. It will be fun to get away.

Today, my boys turn 20. They are becoming young men, now, they just need to move out, sometimes I don't want them to go but other times I do. Neither one is going to be home tonight, they each have to be with a girlfriend, they forget who bore them and who's taken care of them but do I count for anything. I guess thats growing up.

My knitting keeps me going. I've almost finished my "Chocolatier" Socks, I'm using the Nutkin pattern. I really enjoy this pattern and LOVE the yarn. Wendee of Hazel Knits has choosen a beautiful yarn which she has dyed an amazing color. The yarn knits so smoothly I've had no problems at all, I can't always say that with all yarns. I've also got her "Home Team" yarn, Seahawk colors I'm going to start them on the plane, Micheal has picked this yarn out. He has decided he wants 7 pairs of socks one for each day no more cotton sock for him only Mom's handknit socks. This pair I'm using Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush, "Gentleman's Fancy Sock" so its not just a plain ribbing.
I'm also going to be doing some sample knitting for Jen at Woolgirl so I can't wait to start. I have no idea what I will be knitting so that has me excited. So I've got a lot on my needles but I can't wait. It all keeps me happy and if I'm happy then everyone around me is happy.

I'll post pictures of my projects as soon as I get my camera back from Chris. So Keep those sticks a clickin and have a great week and weekend.