Sock Progress!!!

The two circular method is so much easier for me. No twisting! I'd still like to learn how to use DPNs for socks, but maybe once I'm used to joining that first round without twisting.

I'm using a DVD to learn how to do the socks, and its making it much easier. I'm also using the new Knitpick circulars, size 3 (24"). I love these needles!!




I really prefer this color yarn over the other one (amazing how much difference that makes!)








Also: my Irish Hiking Scarf progress:

Little tidbits...

The tracking numbers say both my packages arrived today to their associated spoilees- my final SP package all the way to sweltering Cali and my teeny tiny tote to my One Skein SP. :)

I visited a new LYS today, which I've been looking forward to because the only one I had thought was in the area was in a different town and was terrible. The hours are inconvenient, the employees are very standoffish, almost as if you were interrupting them, it always seemed hot, dimly lit and dusty. Plus I have to always drive around the blocks once or twice, looking for parallel parking downtown to get there. I had pretty much resigned myself to the local craft stores like AC Moore and shopping online, but sometimes I really miss getting to know other people in my area that also knit. (G is VERY sick of hearing about yarns and projects and colors and stash. He's patient to a point.)

But the new one... wow. So incredibly bright, clean, well organized, friendly. It was a tiny space but just well organized with these luscious yarns nearly bursting out to be stroked and fawned over. The kicker was that she had a project I want to work on (Lady E stole) out of Noro Transitions (which I've been dying to try... not on a Lady E but on a smaller project due to its cost). There were about 5-6 projects that I would actually WANT to do decorating the store. So we talked about classes and how to do socks, how I've learned so far, etc. Very friendly woman and I could easily see myself going there for an afternoon of shopping and knitting (and hitting the coffeshop next door). Oooh and classes each week are $10. Not bad. I'll still do a lot myself due to my schedule but for harder techniques, I'd gladly pay that.

I'm planning on working more on my cables tonight, but... or maybe the socks DVD. I haven't decided. Last night, I cast on for a ballband dishcloth but didn't make much progress (just enough to see the first layer of 'bricks'.

We had gone to a wine tasting before that- eight different sparkling wines and three types of champagne, strawberries dipped in chocolate, other assorted tidbits of yumminess and creme brulee. Heavenly! I came home and decided I just had to knit, but didn't want to mess up my cables. This was simple enough to do before I got so relaxed I nearly fell asleep.

That's one of the reasons I really enjoyed the KUI sticker my SP gave me... "Friends don't let friends knit drunk". So true!

Thank you, Secret Pal!

I received a lovely package from my SP, which was such a surprise waiting for me this morning!! Thank you, Secret Pal!!! I hope your summer's going well!

Inside this package was all sorts of goodies, starting off with a canvas bag with a "ways to tell you are a knitting fiend" list. This is a great size for me to carry with me when I travel next week.












Closer look at the contents of the bag: some awesome Shaker virgin wool in a beautiful shade (close up to follow), a cute bumper sticker about what I would call... KUI... Knitting Under the Influence. A pine sachet with a lobster on it, garden rub and herbs, notepad and even some treats for my pup!

At this point, I had to stop fondling the yarn and take my pictures because Gypsy saw me pull out the snacks and went CRAZY! She couldn't believe her good luck when she saw the dog treats!!



Now that she is all taken care of...
This is Gypsy's "You ROCK, Secret Pal!!" face




Saving the best for last.... Shaker Yarn. Gorgeous texture, and even more gorgeous color. Almost a plummy/black cherry color with all sorts of little variations blended in. It's quite a bit of yarn, so I'll have to find a good project for it.












Thank you for all the thought you put into this goodie package, SP. I love it!

Tomatoes!

My garden is massively producing tomatoes and veggies at an alarming rate.
I'll probably have to find a good marinara recipe so I can freeze some.

But tonight, we're having steaks and a salad, and this is our side course:

Broiled Tomatoes
3 large tomatoes
Dash of pepper
3 Tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

Optional version:
Use 2 Tablespoons chopped basil and 3 Tablespoons feta cheese instead of blue cheese

1. Halve and core tomatoes, then sprinkle with pepper.
2. Top with blue cheese (or a layer of fresh chopped basil, then feta cheese on top).
3. Broil for five minutes, or until tops are golden brown.

too much time = trouble

This is what I do when I don't want to do schoolwork- I organize my stash and make my list of future projects.

Socks, of course, still a priority as is my Irish Hiking Scarf. But in looking over my works in progress, I made some painful decisions.

I have decided to frog two of my first projects: a garter stitched scarf that stopped when I got lost in a tangle or two, and my triangle shawl that I started but never seemed to make much progress on. However, since then I found a different shawl that I like, and I think the Alpaca can be put to better use than a garter stitch scarf.