Destashing?

I had good intentions when I planned to DeStash my sock yarns...which is all the buzz on the blogs right now. However I seem to be taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back thanks to Etsy and all the marvelous hand dyers out there.

I've acquired a few more thousand yards and about 5 more skeins I'm waiting on All from Sunshineyarns, (waterfall, camo and darkness triple dye) and then I'm going to stop....for a while...I hope. I really want to save up for a new spinning wheel. Then I can add some more fiber to my stash! ha. I also just ordered a sock knitting bag, which can also hold my drop spindle from Whitewillow. It was all I could do not to order two..or three...but thought maybe I could make these if I gave it a whirl. But in the interim I bought one!

This is what I've received recently. (1st and last) Blackberry and Muirwoods, Sophies Toes Sock Yarn, (Sophies Toes) (Glorious stuff) Lisa Souza (Lisa Souza) in the Gendarme colorway. Just because I am Canadian! I don't know what it will be .... maybe socks? maybe a little touque for Bronson?, and Avocado from Sunshine yarns. This is another Fearless Fiber additions (Fearlessfibers) (hey, why buy one when you can buy two! )

However I've made these: Basic socks in STR, (Socks that Rock ) and Slip Stitch rib from Sensational Knitted Socks out of Bruised Ego by Spunky Eclectic. (Spunky Eclectic) I've "opted" out of the STR sock club this year. I figure if I am going to spend that much $ I should pick a color I actually like. And Whoo Boy are there colors I like. I love, love, love "little bunny foo foo". Whats with me, brown and pink this year? Of course "Rocktober" rocks me as well as "Watermelon Tourmaline". I'll have to add them to my Christmas list. And I am working on Java Ribs http://stringthings.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html(in the Throughbred colorway by Fearless Fibers) and I've caved and started Grumperina's JayWalkers (Magknits) in the tundra colorway by Fearless Fibers (again) , I've started quite a few pairs of Jay Walkers but have never found the color I actually liked for the pattern. But this one I may continue.

Here is 1 (one) yes 1 sock I made for Bronson. Only one because I don't have anymore of this color. I just saw the pattern on line and thought I should give it a go. As it turns out it is a wonderful pattern and probably the one I'll be using for a while. Now I have to knit more "boy" colors so I have leftovers. And I'll have to order skeins with more yardage so I have enough left over. Both the skeins from Fearless Fibers are huge. 550 yds! So I should be ok on those.

And just in case I have too much left over I started a log cabin with the leftover (???) sock yarn. Its beautiful, fun and rather addicting! The Peace Fleece sweater for me has been frogged and turned into the Wonderful Wallaby for Bronson. I decided to do this after reading "Big Girl Knits" and thought that the heavy worsted wasn't for me. But it sure is cute as the WW.

Speaking of Bronson, (and you know I love to) he and his mother are off to Disneyland (or World) whichever the one is in California and the house has been deadly quiet. I miss them so much. However I have been able to knit alot, and finish my HR course I've been taking. Now if only I can get the studing in for the exam before they get back.

Its our wedding anniversary today. I've gotten a new jetta and rather unexpectly a new fridge out of the deal. The Jetta was a gift but the fridge just calved and a quick trip to town later I was putting the warmish food back into a new fridge. But most of all I want to thank my husband for his support and love through all the years we've been together. He is my soulmate and I love him.

Since I didn't get a pic of the red cables I made for Bronson I'll add this photo, however you probably can't see the cables much. I don't believe Ms. Lauren took the sweater with her, however I don't dare go upstairs and look for it as I have 3 teenaged boys sleeping up there right now and I don't want to wake them. I'm enjoying the peace and quiet this AM. Meanwhile my mothers "red Cables" languish on the needles. (Along with a few(!) other UFO's)

I've discovered a new knitting podcast. Its called "Stash and Burn". and I love it. Fresh and fun. It has rather inspired me to knit from my stash even more so. Good motivator. Stash and Burn . Have a listen to it. Nicole and Jenny are fresh and fun and that makes an excellent podcast! They are my New favorite.

Thats a quick and dirty on my life this month!

First Update 2007

Its Mid January and I'm just getting back to my blog. There were many occasions that I "meant" to do the blog, but being on dial up internet sometimes I just don't have the time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for high speed sometime in the new year! Then maybe I can update on a more regular basis. (And down load the knitting podcasts faster!)

I won't discuss what I did before Christmas, as I didn't take one picture of one darn thing....what was I thinking? I guess just to get it out the door and into the mail. But, although I don't make new years resolutions I have decided to document all my 2007 projects. So this is a start. I was able to finally make something that my 15 yo son will wear. Its the "we call them pirates" hat from www.helloyarn.com/wecallthempirates.htm

It was a quick and easy knit with telemark yarn from www.knitpicks.com.

I finished my persephone scarf from http://smariek.blogspot.com/2006/12/persephone.html. The picture doesn't do it justice. Its very pretty worked from Elann Highland Silk from www.Elann.com . I can't say I'm enamored with the yarn I found it a little splitty when doing the cables. Maybe if I had of used a cable needle instead of doing the cables without one I may not have found the yarn so splitty, but can you imagine putting a cable needle in everyone of those cables? There is lots of 'em. I don't know what I am going to do with this scarf yet. Initially it was intended for my mother, but I think it may be too long for her tastes. Its over 5 feet long. Ok if you are a wrapper, but I'm not sure if mom is. BTW it isn't blocked yet. I just got it off the needles last night and will block it out today. I'll be using the new blocking wires that my mother gave me as a birthday gift. I can hardly wait. I've wanted them for some time now as I do alot of lace work.

Speaking of mom I'm still plugging away on the red cables pullover for her. I am also to the sleeve shaping, but must confess I haven't been working on it alot due to Christmas priorities. Its one of those projects you have to want to work on as it does take thought and concentration. But I'll get to it...and it will be finished sometime this year. (Hopefully before next Christmas)

For just simple things on my needles I have this Everyday cardigan from www.peacefleece.com in worsted weight. Its a simple knit, something I can do and put down when the need arises. I much rather work in the round, but didnt' want to take the time to work out the math, so I am knitting backwards all the purl rows so I don't have to purl. lazy or what? But it is fun and a little challenging so such a simple sweater. I had to get these off the needles "killer tomato" socks from http://www.spunkyhats.com/ off the needles so I could make room for these: Etsy purchases thanks to Lime and Violet

The one on the left is called piness from www.sunshineyarns.etsy.com and the other is Shana from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=41776 I'll start with the one on the left and do up the Gentleman's Fancy Sock from Nancy Bush's "Knitting Vintage Socks" . I loved those socks since I first saw them, I love them in that color...so I think they'll be gorgeous and fun to knit.

Here is a scary picture. Its just my sock yarn. (It doesn't count the two balls above or the 2 I have coming from Lisa Souza. www.lisaknit.com I joined the Lime and Violet Sock Marathon and am trying to knit at least 3 miles from my 10.19 miles!

So here is one of the reasons I haven't blogged lately. My daughter and dear 1st grandson, Bronson were visiting with us. It was such a pleasure to have him here. Its all John and I can do not to race to Abbotsford and steal him back. Oh well. I hope to get down for a visit every 6 weeks or so in the summer, a little less in the winter as it is a 6 hour drive in (usually) bad weather conditions.

Short Update

Well I love my IPOD and I love the knitting podcasts that are out there and available. I started with Brenda Dayne at www.cast-on.com and now I can't stop. I have down loaded all of the past episodes and don't have enough room left of my podcast until I listen to some and delete them from the IPOD. But that wasn't enough I greedily seached Itunes and downloaded all the knitting podcasts out there and all their past episodes as well. I listen everywhere now. In the house while doing housework, in the car while driving to work (is it even legal?), walking from the parking lot into the building, (I usually take one earpiece out of my ear if an employee stops and asks me something...just because I was raised "right"!) etc. etc. The dogs have never been happier, I just want to walk and walk and listen. A friend even asked me if I wanted to start walking with her on Monday and I had to explain that I got a new IPOD and wasn't capable of conversation right now! It was a perfect gift for me. I love it. Thanks John!

Lets see. What is on the needles. I'm in a strange phase right now. I have no desire to finish anything. I just want to start stuff. I'm amazed at how easily I get bored. I've been doing small baby things, knit all in one piece etc, but still have to convince myself to complete each one.

This is a little blue set. Done out of beautiful yarn. Naturally "Sensation" wool and angora. I was hoping new baby would come home from the hospital in this. Well at least wear the hat.Its wonderfully soft and baby like. I don't know what the deal is with my pictures this week. They have imported strangely and I've had to "size" them myself so everything may look a bit stretched. (It isn't my knitting .... honest!;))

I know that it must seem odd that I am blogging again...already, but I think I'm on to something; Last weekI brought my IPOD into work and used the high speed internet and my lap top to download podcasts and I was amazed at how quickly everything went. I spent hours at home last weekend down loading Podcasts (only a couple, but it took hours) and when I came to work on Monday had everything I wanted downloaded in minutes. So this AM I thought well hey....its an overtime day at work, what better way to use my time then to update my blog. So I quickly took some pictures at 5:30 this AM and this is what you are getting now.

So lets see. Here is a pic of the Hat and booties I made while at the car show a few weeks ago. And another hat just for in the nursery. I know its navy and probably to dark for a newborn, but it is what I had at hand and wanted something quick. (Remember I can't finish anything lately and need small, simple projects. When in Chase for the Carshow I was able to go to go into Kamloops to a yarn store and pick up some new yarn for Mom's cabled sweater I also bought some Regia Silk and have decided to make a hot water bottle cover from it. Do I need a silk hot water bottle cover would be the question, especially when I sleep with a heat generator, AKA John, but i just didn't "feel" like making socks with it. So here it is. Started.

I was also able to complete the hood for "Ruby" sweater from Bee's Knees. I didn't show this last week as I had truly thought that i would wait until it was actually finished. But I don't know if that will ever happen so I thought I'd show you the progress.

I did knit another dishcloth. This was the first of the month "mystery cloth". Its a cat. The picture isn't overly clear and probably would have been better if done in a solid color. But you'll be seeing lots of dishcloths in this yarn as I have a huge ball of it and am in dishcloth mode.

I also got another ball of C-eye-ber fiber in the mail. I think this is part of a "Sock Club" I belong to and this is their havest colorway. I think I get two more balls in this club and then that will be it. I don't think I'll join again. Not for any other reason other then I have yards and yards of their sock yarn and haven't knit one darn thing from it. Its for no other reason then I'm not sure if i like colorways. I have one that is pale greens, one that is pale blues, and one that has pale purples. Each skein is approx. 400 yds so I know I'd have enough to make something for baby but I just don't feel it yet. You know as I was typing this I was think I could make the "Big Bad Baby Blanket" out of it. Maybe I'll try that. I don't have a baby blanket for new little one yet. I've been putting it off as I don't want to work with acrylic's but haven't found a suitable superwash wool yet. Plus I've been trying to use my stash and not spend so much$$$.

I guess that is it for now. I'm back to my desk and to reality.