Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Pie birds and sweater



My Super Sox Box Swap partner has asked about my pie bird collection, so the above pictures are what I have collected so far. I have collected pie birds for several years and love them all. In case you are wondering a pie bird is a ceramic figure or funnel that is inserted into a crusted pie to keep the crust from sinking and also to release the steam. I have a couple of them that I use but most are for my "dust collection"! LOL



I finished the sweater back last night and have started on the front. It is coming out very pretty and I love the yarn. I just hope 3 days of knitting left will be enough to finish the sweater. I really want to wear it while on vacation next week in Seattle. So, I'm going back to knitting, knitting, knitting! Wish me luck.

Happy knitting

Monday, May 21, 2007

2 monkeys - no feet

Didn't get as much knitting done as I wanted to this weekend, but did get both monkey socks to the start of the heel. They are coming along very well. Did quite a bit of sewing today, but can't show what I am working on, as it is a surprise for my Monkey Sock partner and the Super Sox Box Swap partner. But what I did make came out very nice. Hope to include pics (yes, I already took them) next week sometime as I mail my packages off and they are received.

Back to knitting on my sweater. I don't think I will get it done in time for vacation on Sunday, but going to make a good dent. Maybe I will have to finish it while I am gone.

Happy knitting!

Saturday, May 19, 2007

My puffy arrived



Received this from my Dishcloth Exchange partner - Jen. I've never done the mason-dixon ballband pattern, so it is nice to see one done. I really enjoy the exchanges and really appreciate someone making something just for me! Thank you JEN! You are a sweetie!

Whew I'm tired!


Started working on my Monkey Sock for the Monkey Sock Swap part 2. I love, love, love this yarn and am going to have a problem sending to my partner. So now my goal is to find more of it. My LYS only had 2 skeins, so my partner gets this beautiful, soft, wonderful (get the hint here? LOL) monkey socks!




Another view with the label. I really have to find some!








Finished another dishcloth with matching keychain. This is in reserve for someone special! Don't know who yet, but I'm sure the new owner will identify herself eventually! LOL


Happy Knitting

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Super Sox Box Swap Questionnaire

Super Sox Box Swap Questionnaire:
1.What are your favorite colors? Blue/Red
What colors make you cringe? Anything Bright Neon
2.Are you a new sock knitter? Pretty much
How long have you been knitting socks? Since October
3.Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? Multicolored
4.What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? Wool or cotton
5.Where do you usually knit socks? Anywhere I can! Have walked around shows with socks in my hands! LOL
6.How do you usually carry/store small projects? In a small canvas bag
7.What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? 2x2 rib
Any favorite designers? No
8.What are your favorite sock knitting techniques? Circular – cuff down
9.What new techniques would you like to try? Toe up
10.Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? I ONLY know circular
11.What are some of your favorite yarns? Tofutsies, sockatta, although I haven't seen much of any others
12.What yarn do you adore and yearn for? Any of the hand-dyes or small spinners. I have never seen these yarns, but the pictures make me “pant”. LOL
What yarn makes you happiest? Hmmm…just about any except cheap yarn (although they have their purpose!)
13.Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? I would love to do the 50 state dishcloth afghan.
14.Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? Have Denise set, love addi (not the bamboo ones) and the new Hiya circulars
If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Louisa Harding – Soft but tough! LOL
Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? Sweet or salty? Chocolate and more chocolate
Do you collect anything? Pie-Birds
What is your favorite scent? vanilla
Will you be celebrating a birthday, anniversary, etc. between now and the close of the swap? Yes Birthday 5/31
What’s your favorite animal? Hmmm….don’t think I have one
Do you have pets? What are their species/names/ages? I have a 4-year old black cocker
Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read. It’s time for me to fly (REO)
What is your motto in life? It’s time for me to fly
Do you have a wishlist? (ie: Amazon, B&N, a LYS, online store, etc.) Please list link here. Hmmm….not that I know of. Although I just found the blogs for Yarn Harlot and Stitch’n Bitch’n (not sure on spelling – sorry). I have never seen any of their books.
Anything else you’d like to share with your Sox Box pal? I’m rather spoiled and normally buy what I want or need. I live outside of Memphis and honestly have never seen any of the yarns on people’s blogs. I don’t know what hand-dyed yarn is nor have I seen Lorna Laces, etc. This just isn’t something in the LYS that is carried here.
Any allergies to be aware of for this swap? UMMM….work and dust? LOL
Coffee, Tea? Dunkin’ Donuts – We don’t’ have one here.
Anything Else? I am a fairly new knitter (since January 2006) although I have a strong crafting background. I catch on easily (the LYS can’t believe what I knit for being what is called a beginner) I have already taken the advanced finishing class and everyone wants me to begin the “master knitter” course (not sure about that one). I still think I have a lot to learn. I loved making socks from my first pair on size 2 in black wildfoote. Hubby wanted a pair. Since then I have made over 20 pairs. I like patterns from me, but the easiest is 2x2 ribbing with a short-row heel for hubby! LOL

Last Day at work! Wahooooo!!!!!

Well today was a sad and happy day. My job moved to Florida so today was my last day. I have a new job starting on June 4th so I am off-work until then. Am I happy? YES. Am I sad? YES. I will miss "most" of the people I work with and a few I could care less! LOL More time for knitting!

Well Hubby's socks are done, but I am off a stitch or two :( Makes them look like they don't match. The dye lot is the same, but the color pattern on the foot changed. This is the first time I have seen that so I am not happy, but hubby being hubby, loves them and will wear them. You can't ask for much for much more than that! LOL



Ahhhhh my sweater top. LOL. I am at the sleeve pattern on new yarn and new pattern. I finished the 11" on Saturday at 5:30pm, but had to wait until Monday. I have never done a "knit cast-on" and got stuck! :( Not good. Turns out it was very easy!





Happy Knitting!
Cindy

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

I'm a bad girl, need to stop buying yarn!

Cascade Bulky Fixation - Royal Blue
Cascade Bulky Fixation - Varigated
Sockotta
Tofutsies (like I needed more!)
Opal
Skacel Trampoline Stretch

Now to decide which of these to use for the Monkey Sock Swap 2



The only thing I did get done last night was the dishcloth and keychain for my dishcloth exchange. LOL Now to pick up a couple of things to go with the package and I am ahead of the game! I'm so happy about that! I can then work on my monkey socks (ohhhh the decision) and start working on a sweater for me!

Happy knitting!

Monday, May 7, 2007

Not much knitting done


These 2 dishcloths are for my sister. The blue one is a hummingbird and the burgandy one is a Fairy. I think I should have chosen a differant color for the fairy as she is hard to see. The patterns for these are located here: RaAnn Designs RaAnn has very beautiful designs, all free and very easy to follow! The yarn used was blue (Paton Grace) and burgandy (Cotton Classic)

I did finish the one sock and have started on the other one. I am at the beginning of the heel for the second sock. This pattern goes fast and you see progress right away!



Flowers are in bloom in my gardens. I am so excited to see how pretty they are coming up this year. So mostly I had to work in the yard this week (which interfers with my knitting!). I have 7 gardens, so it was weeding, deadheading, and spraying for weeds and stuff.

Happy knitting all!