It is still Friday…

This is a little of the latest thrift shop aquisitions. 7 skeins of Lopi - from some time in the 70's or 80's - judging by the label.



Still definitely worth knitting with! It's a pretty shade of light navy blue.

And I have finished the body portion of my Lady of the Lake. She is blocking now, before I begin the sleeves. Maybe this week?

Lots of Pretty Pictures!

Since I was without the computer for so long, I have a backlog! Here's the most recent addition to the stash, Noro Silk Garden, 10 skeins for either a Mavis or a Klaralund. I know you're supposed to KNIT with Noro in November, But I'm a little behind. I will just BUY Noro in November this year.





And this is the little "Camera Sock that Consumed Two Needles". The very nice person at Brittany told me "They are delicate in the small sizes, also affected by patterning (k2tog for example) and by yarn type (cotton which doesn’t give versus wool that does)." Really!!??? I think this was a pretty simple knit and shouldn't have broken two needles, but they do have a 5 year replacement guarantee, so they are sending more. I'm not sure I'll knit with them again, though.



A bit of the very brief Autumn that we here in the DC area have enjoyed. This is the Japanese Lace Leaf Maple in front of the house. It was gorgeous this year!



And Pie! 5 of the many pies we had at Thanksgiving. It's what happens when everyone says, "I'll just bake an extra pie in case we don't have enough."



We had enough!

Happy Friday!

Knitting with Toothpicks… and Other Stories

Oh, what a week it has been!

On Thursday, the 15th, the network connector inside my mac fried. Snap, crackle, pop, fireworks kind of fried. Complete with smoke. So I was without my computer for 10 days. TEN agonizingly long days. I had to limp by using the back up drive (thank God for back ups!) and my G4 laptop, so I went without frivolous things like posting.

I did manage to finish my Rickenbacker scarf, and I love it!



I then thought I'd try my hand at sock knitting. I purchased three sets of Brittany dpn's on Friday of last week and promptly cast on with the 2mm set. Mind you, I have never knit socks before. This is like knitting with toothpicks! On Saturday, the first needle snapped. I moved stitches around and continued knitting. On Sunday, the second needle snapped. This time, I filed the end to a point and continued knitting.



I am now at the decreases. And by the way, this is a "Camera Sock"



See that needle in front. That is one of the two I had to file down and continue using. I'm going to finish this thing If I have to break ALL of the needles.

And I missed TWO YPF's. I'll have to make up for it this Friday. I did hit another thrift store. I scored 7 skeins of Reynolds Lopi, circa 1970 or before, in light navy.

The Great Yarn Haul

I had a great time thrift shopping this weekend! This is the result of 4 stores, 8 baggies and under $10! Of course none of these were packaged together, so I had the thrill of the hunt. One ball of that and one of this in each bag, it was fun!

I got 2 skeins of "vintage" worsted wool from Woolworths, two balls of Gedifra Barocco, 3 skeins of Pinguin Sport, a huge ball of white mohair, 2 balls of Moda Dea Dream in blue and 2 in brown, 3 skeins of Jaeger Celtic Spun Shetland, 2 skeins of Columbia Minerva fingering weight wool, a ball of Crystal Palace Fling in white, a skein of Moda Dea Tutu, 3 balls of Sugar & Cream cotton, a skein of unidentified Moda Dea, a huge cone of Denys Brunton Magicolour knitting machine yarn, a small ball of dark soft mohair, a skein of navy blue merino, a small skein of red wool and small ball of Lamb's Pride maroon, a ball of Stacy Charles Cancun and assorted skeins of acrylic.

Wooo. Isn't this pretty?



Oh, and this is a new project…



I spent the other part of my weekend making bunches of these. They're in my Etsy store.

I Shared…

My husband read my blog.

Another reference to the "getting a real job" was made.

Although I did point out that I only post once a week, on average.

This was after one of my items on Etsy sold, (Thank you CPurl!) and he was helping me with the shipping. I made the mistake of showing Ravelry to him. Gaaahhhhh! What was I thinking!

He's just grumpy that I haven't made him socks yet.

So on with the Yarn Pr0n.



Some of my haul from Stitches, Araucania Limari, a wonderfully soft and squishy merino, alpaca, silk blend. And it's bulky, which will mean a fast knit! I have 10 skeins to make a sweater with. Maybe I'll try a simple cable with this.

Oh, and Rickenbacker is almost to the ruffle stage. I have needed TWO skeins of the Supermerino, by the way. Tha pattern called for one, but I was skeptical and ordered two. Glad I did. Only one would have made a 2 and a half foot scarf.



Then there are these two. For Chevron Scarf #2. After I finish Chevron Scarf #1.
I couldn't resis the colors! Pixie Park and Cobalt Bloom.

Or maybe socks…

NEWS FLASH!!!

I finally opened my Etsy shop!

Http://www.aderose.etsy.com

Right now there are a few sets of stitchmarkers but I soon will have a multitude of earrings up for sale. Stop by and take a look!

It's Friday!

Must be time for Yarn Pr0n!



A lonesome skein of Ply in the Sky handspun. Acquired through the destashe group on Ravelry. What can I say… I'm a sucker for handspun.



But isn't it pretty?

Juliet is finished!

Well… she still needs buttons, but:



That red and white thing is my homemade blocking board. I made it a couple of years ago following instructions I found on Knitty.com. Fabric covered homosote. The checked fabric helps keep things straight. I made 4 from 1 4' x 8' sheet, 2 large and 2 small.

And I just HAD to start the Rickenbacker scarf! It was calling to me from my Ravelry queue. I have loved this since the first time I saw it. It's a fast knit, relatively simple pattern and looks good from both sides.



After the lace pattern work with Juliet, since I enjoyed that so much, I needed something other than knit/purl. Keeps my mind occupied. So Lady of the Lake is still a WIP. I am getting close to the sleeve section, however. I think that will spur me on to finish it!

Juliet…soon!

I have actually been busy… knitting!
I am three rows into the lace pattern. I think I'll do 6 or 7 total. I made the garter stitch section a little longer than the pattern called for - 12 rows longer. I am loving the yarn - Lamb's Pride - and the pattern!



I cannot believe another week has gone by. Although it was a migraine avoidance week. It came on like a freight train at midnight last Saturday and I fought it with meds til Wednesday and saw my chiropracter for a "cranial adjustment". I was a little loopy on Thursday, but avoided the full blown ER visit, so I call that a success!

My son came home for a "Fall Break" It was so good to have him home again! He's really loving life in Richmond at VCU, running cross country on a D1 team, small, but still D1 which means really cool places for meets. And his mid term grades were all As and Bs! A really great start for him!

But here's my Stitches haul… a week late. OMG what a day!
I went on Friday and had a great time! I got two skeins of STR mediumweight, in Cobalt Bloom and Pixie Park for another chevron scarf, A bag of Araucania Limari, 10 hanks! in a pretty semi solid pink, 3 gorgeous dichroic glass buttons from Copeland Glass for Juliet, 10 balls of Trendsetter Coconut in Africa, to add to the two in my stash (who knows what I'll do with them), another glass button from Cheryl Kumiski, two more skeins of Liza Souza El Dorado in the Mardi Gras colorway, now I have enough for a short sleeved sweater or shrug, 3 balls of Noro Kureyon 165 from WEBS for a booga bag for my MIL, and a pair of earrings, also dichroic glass from The Glass Action. Oh, and some Knit Klips and a black sheep tape measure. Whew!

I Have No Yarn Pr0n…

But I had a busy weekend! I completed my tenth century ride!! And it didn't RAIN! Well, it misted very heavily for the first 40 miles or so, but then cleared up to be a beautiful day!

It was the Seagull Century out of Salisbury University on Maryland's Eastern Shore.



I have no idea whose shoe that is, but here I am at the finish!



A terrific sand sculpture!



My trusty steed…

Total ride time, 6 hours 41 minutes. Average 15 mph.

And in knitting news… I ripped Juliet back about 3 " to fix a wrong. I had done an increase row twice in a row and it looked wonky, although I was the only one who could see it. But I knew it was there and could not live with it. So I ripped.

Back in the Swing

Here we are, another Friday.

I am making progress on Juliet and loving the Lamb's Pride!

And after polling a few people on Ravelry, I have decided how to bind off the first front of the Lady of the Lake. The pattern is a little… vague, maybe?
But progress is progress!

And I have been busy buying everybody's destash! I can't resist Fleece Artist yarns! Here's Mo for today's Yarn Pr0n:



Isn't it just gorgeous. Softer than any of the mohair in the stash!

OMG, A FO

I finally finished Tivoli!



And I have Yarn Pr0n!



Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky… for this to be knitted on my new Harmony needles…



Which I started after this…



Yeah, it's been quite a day!

Candy

Here's this Friday's Yarn Pr0n!
Rainbow Mills Candy in the Jordan Almond colorway.
It's wool, mohair and a little nylon.
Maybe part of a Loopy and Luscious scarf?





Added to the stash this summer through destash. You know the old saying… One woman's trash, or stash, is another woman's treasure!

Oh, and I'm 12 rows from finally finishing my Tivoli T. Maybe even tonight!!!

Lots of Stuff…

A little YPF, I know, it's Saturday…





Fleece Artist Kiss Curls and Baby Kid in a gorgeous violet color.

A little progress…



On my Fleece Artist Lady of the Lake Jacket, gifted to me by my MIL for my fiftieth, YES FIFTIETH birthday in August.

Oh, and I let my 1st Blogiversary go by. It was August 30th last year when I began this.
I cannot believe that a year has gone by. And my son is away at college now. It is a strange feeling, having your child move out. Even temporarily. I guess I'll just have to knit more.

Oh, and has anyone seen those new Harmony wood needles from KnitPicks? I just ordered a set. They look really nice, and I love the options needles, we'll see how they feel to knit with.

I Found the Channel!

I have been thinking I didn't get the channel on my cable for the Tour, but I found it tonight! Yippee! Now I CAN knitalong. And I have actually made progress on the mountain of UFOs! I am ready to begin the neck decreases on both sides of my Kimono Jacket (the back is finished), and to begin the armhole decreases on my Sage.

Of course, tomorrow is a rest day, so I guess I can use it to rest up, too. I'll take photos.

Where Has the Time Gone?

I'll start with a little bit of Yarn Pr0n, even though it is Saturday. This is some Furrari in gorgeous colors. A really soft Mohair with a little polyester and nylon. Who knows what I'll do with it! And I'll show it really big.



Now, where have I been?

After my sons'graduation, a good friend of mine returned home from a three week trip to Indonesia and Singapore with a case of Dengue fever. We learned quite a lot in the weeks following her return. She was hospitalized on painkillers for almost a week, and then suffered a kind of withdrawal from the painkillers. Her doctor's office was awful, from not wanting to report the case, which he would be required to do, to completely ignoring her pain, which is severe with Dengue, AND recommending ibuprofen, which you DO NOT want to take with this because it can cause severe hemorrhaging. What a nightmare!

Once she was feeling a little better, we went off on a little adventure to a mutual friend's cabin at Bryce Mountain resort. It is SO beautiful and quiet there! Not a sign of commercialism - read 7-11- for 20 miles!

That same week, my son took his first road trip - by himself - all the way to Michigan. He had a great time! I was only a wreck on the days he had to drive the 8 hour trip.

Then we spent the week of the 4th on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, visiting my extended family. We had a wonderful time, weather was spectacular! But I was glad to get home. There was also actual knitting on this trip! I finished the first side of my Orangina! And halfway up the second front of my Kimono Jacket! Woo hooo!

This week, on Wednesday I took my daughter down to the University of Virginia for a field hockey camp. I took a friend with me and we spent the afternoon and night in Charlottesville. We went to The Needle Lady and bought yarn! And earrings from my favorite vendor at the Downtown Mall, a bricked pedestrian mall in the heart of the city. We had a fabulous dinner, and a visit with yet another mutual friend, staying at her wonderful 1925 brick center-hall colonial just blocks from the center of town. We walked everywhere!

We drove home on Thursday, and on Friday morning we went on a 42 mile bike ride to Bethesda, MD and back. It's a great ride, one I haven't done in a long time. And the weather was warm and sunny, not humid! Great ride! I've been frustrated because I now can't get the channel I have watched the Tour de France on in past years. So I haven't seen any of it! Just the short videos on the web. So no tour knitting - yet. I'm still trying!

My wonderful husband has been incredibly understanding with all my disappearing this summer! But I think I'm home for a while now. My daughter has her first job, at a pastry shop, this summer. My son and husband are working on the "Jeep Project", a 1990 Jeep Wrangler they're "refurbishing". I'm still on the UFO challenge, and updating my Ravelry stuff. Hopefully, I won't fall off the posting wagon again for so long!

Happy Bastille Day!

Really Mixed Emotions

It began last week with a high school graduation. Wonderful speakers, watching all those kids walk across the stage, many whom I've known since preschool. A wonderful lunch with grandparents, then on to an awards dinner for my husband. Great evening!

The next morning we learn of the horrific accident that took the lives of 4 teen aged girls, two of whom had just graduated with my son. The fifth young lady who survived, also had just graduated with the class. They had chosen not to attend the all night grad party sponsored by the PTSA and had been headed to a night club in DC. They were softball players, sisters and cousins of boys in my son's scout troop, They were 18. The driver had changed lanes at the last minute, and wound up in the path of a tractor trailer truck. They had no chance. The whole community is devastated. The services and burials begin tomorrow.

There were graduation parties Friday night, tempered with the past night's events. The accident was all anyone could talk about.

Saturday, we held my son's graduation party at home. It was actually a wonderful event. We had barbequed pork and chicken and salads and sodas for the kids and my son built a huge bonfire in his firepit. There must have been 40 people at one point. He had a great time.
The next morning was Father's day.

We found that one of my daughter's friends had crept in to our house around 2 am. And had told her father she was here all evening. That started WWIII when my husband and I told her either she tell her dad where she really was, or we would. So much for a peaceful, happy Father's day.
We had to show up for a brunch - at a restaurant by 11:30 am, then to family 2's house by 4. It's times like these that I wish we were living on the other side of the country, away from all family.

The past few days have seemed like an emotional roller coaster.

My son leaves tomorrow for his two day college orientation.

I guess things really are changing.

A New Addiction!

Ravelry!

I have been sucked in! I've always been a sucker for organizing things, and this one takes first prize! I've been organizing stash, projects, planned projects, and I can see dozens of knitters projects before I cast on. Different yarns, different colors… it's amazing!
And I have spent hours!
And it's been fun!
If you haven't gotten in yet, put your name on the list! And if you are already in, please donate to Jess and Casey. This is a monumental project that they have taken on in their spare time!
You go girls!

Friday Yarn Pr0n on a Monday

This is an unidentified mohair boucle, picked up for me at a yard sale by a dear friend. She says the lady told her she got it in Amsterdam. I assume it is all mohair. It's a little scratchy, so I'm looking for something to knit with it to soften it up.

Happy Monday! It's Graduation Week, Yay!

I'm Catching Up!

At least I have Yarn Pr0n Fridays to help me keep track of the weeks. I got the announcements and invitations finished. They will be in the mail this weekend. Two things crossed off.

Here's my latest purchase. Two skeins, my FIRST two skeins of Socks that Rock. They are scrumptious! So soft and squishy! These will be the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I still need to get the book. Colors are "Grandma's Flower Garden" and "Fire on the Mountain"



And I said I'd take photos of the finished clapotis. Here she is:



Now that it's 90 degrees outside…

30 days later…

Some Yarn Pron!



I finally used my Christmas Gift certificate to Springwater Fiber Workshop! A "Sweater Hank" of Lamb's Pride worsted. Hand dyed in gorgeous pinks, corals, khaki, purples, etc. 1140 yards! Oh, what to knit?! It's happy in the stash right now, but I'm thinking cardigan something. Longish, with a big collar.



It's been a busy month. My son is graduating high school in three weeks, and I'm behind getting the announcements out and behind with the plans for a family celebration for him.

April and May are notoriously crazy here but this year, My Beloved MIL turned 75. That could not go un- or under celebrated. My dear SIL was diagnosed with breast cancer, albeit a very early and treatable variety, breast cancer non-the-less.
So ALL of the April/May family get-togethers were at our house. This included Mother's Day, the MIL birthday and the rest of the "May" birthdays on that side of the family.

And I had my quarterly "trip to the ER migraine" on the 15th. Right in the middle of everything. Oh, and Prom was May 19. And we only had a LITTLE bit of pre-prom angst, with my son's date's mother calling in the middle of the migraine attack to talk about whether he "really" wanted to take her daughter. Not nearly as bad as it sounds, rather amusing really, but another thing that had to be dealt with.

I am so looking forward to July. That'll be after the June 14 graduation and the June 16 graduation party.

I don't mean to sound as though I'm complaining. I just want a little sanity around here. I love having both of our families nearby. I don't know what I'd do without them!

I did manage to FINISH my Clapotis! I will take photos shortly. I also finished my Zimmerman sweater, which is nice because it is cotton and will be great for summer. (Really, all I had left was sewing in ends)

I am determined to finish my WIP tanks, beginning with Sizzle. And Tivoli. And Orangina …

I am also walking in the Race for the Cure on the National Mall on June 2. I'll be walking for my SIL and for my friend Linda, who will be there as well. I am so excited to see her. She is flying in from Colorado to walk with us! You GO Girl!

Have a great weekend!

Lost

I'm still here. I'm still reeling a bit from last Monday's events at Virginia Tech. I still can't get my head around it. With a high school senior heading off to college (Virginia Commonwealth) in the Fall, and this being part of my extended community (many kids of my friends are at Tech), I've just been mentally wandering, so to speak. I haven't even been knitting.

The one bright spot last week was the wedding of one of my husband's oldest friends. He was our best man 25 years ago and my husband was just his. First marriage at age 52. He was as nervous as a schoolboy… and very happy!

I've been taking little quizzes. So I'll share those.

You Are 35% Left Brained, 65% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Your Brain is 73% Female, 27% Male

Your brain leans female You think with your heart, not your head Sweet and considerate, you are a giver But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Which famous feline are you?

You're Tigger. Playful and fun-loving, you enjoy hanging out with friends even though you don't always have to be the center of attention. You're never pessimistic or sluggish. Your enthusiasm is at once endearing and over-the-top. You're the quintessential extrovert.
Take this quiz!








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A Little Yarn Pr0n, A Little Eye Candy…

Artful Yarns Cartoon, aquired on DeStash, Like I need more yarn…



and the cherry blossoms! Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Hey Crazy Aunt Pearl, Victor has a Cousin!

And he's trying to escape!
I swear, I have never had an onion do this. Potatoes, garlic, and shallots. But not a sweet onion. I guess I cook them too quickly. This guy thought he'd get away.
Bwahahahahaha




Maybe I've been knitting too much? Not

I did swatch for my Wicked in Noro Lily, and it looks like I'll be doing the mohair/laceweight version. I'm getting 24 st per 4 in on 5s. I could not get 18 st on 9s even. And any bigger would have been way too open a knit.

Oh, and my order from KnitHappens.net came today! I'll save it for YPF. OMG I need another storage "facility"

More Noro Yarn Pr0n

Okay, here it is: The choice for my Wicked! Finally! Noro Lily in color 36 for a 3/4 sleeve Wicked. I kind of missed the boat this year for doing one in wool. So this is a silk/cotton blend. And I hope to do a mini KAL to guarantee It gets finished!

Hey, It's Not Pink! But it's Yarn Pr0n!

I finally found something to purchase with my
knithappens.net gift certificate.

Noro Silver Thaw, 4 skeins in color 2.
Wool, angora and nylon. And it's 70 degrees out.

But I had to use it in the online store, not the "brick and mortar" store, so my selection was severely limited. I have to admit, I was rather frustrated. I've been looking since August. So I snatched these. And they are very soft and gorgeous. Love that Noro!



Ah well, it's time to get back on the Project UFO wagon and finish my Sizzle and my Tivolini. Those are good 70 degree day knitting projects.