Fun, Fun, Fun!

I'm having too much fun on the internet and I blame it on all of you bloggers! Lately, I have to limit myself to a certain amount of time for blog reading. I really enjoy reading the knitting adventures, daily happenings, and all the other talents y'all possess. Sometimes, I'm nodding my head in agreement with people's opinions, empathizing with someone's plight,happy for other's good news or laughing myself silly over amusing stories(that I can see myself in or have experienced) !! So, thanks for sharing. Do I have a life? You bet your ass!!! But, I have to find time for my blog friends! This brings me to why I'm blaming you for my abundance of fun. I've become a join-a-holic. I'm gonna need more steps for recovery than there are in the empire state building or eiffel tower! So, if you hear me complaining in this blog that I'm too busy...Just say "shut-up".
Below find updates of knitting and my joining list (I've stopped! For now, Anyway!)

The color this month is green. This month I'm in the better later than never group for posting my observations/projects. I didn't do anything knit related, but did look around my environment to see how "green" affects me. I am a nature girl and love when every thing blooms. There is rhododendrum bush outside of my bedroom window that's beautiful. It started to bloom this weekend.
I also enjoy green tea and and have two cups I usually use. Both happen to be green. One says "Cat Lover" and the other has a sheep on it and says "Baa...Time 2 dream". Of course, there's green yarn.

and last, but not least is a green bottle of "millions of bubbles", because I always have to nurture the child in me. It's a great stress reliever too. Come on, go ahead. you know you want to play with bubbles (lol)! WAAAAAAh! blogger's not cooperating in getting the pic. It was a good one too! It seems that blogger has decided I have enough photos for the day, so...
Stay tuned. I will have more progress pics and banners to show for the other groups I've joined:
1. Summer reading challenge
2 socks that rock sock club
3. Summer of socks and traveling sock contest
4. Illustration Friday (I've yet to draw something!)
I think Im missing one...

Socks, Socks and more Socks

For the last few months, I've been hooked on knitting socks. I made my first pair during a stash-a-long to use up some yarn from my project bins. In a previous post, I stated: " Socks are a waste of time" (I know, it's high treason. If I were the President of America's knitters, I'd be impeached !). I had so much fun making them, I didn't understand how I had waited this long to try! When it comes to store bought socks, I always stuck to solid colors (usually med to dark colors). Now, look out! Any color, colorway or self striping yarn, is likely to become a sock. I love seeing how the pattern and the color of the yarn become luscious, warm socks.

Here are a few reasons I love making socks. They are portable, work up quickly, and are great for learning new techniques in small doses. I'm working on a sock called the "sixth sense sock". It's being knitted on U.S. size 2 DPNS in a denim yarn (sockotta). I really like the way this sock is turning out. It's hard to see the pattern from the picture, but it creates a look. From working on this sock, I've learned to make a knitted hem, instead of the usual ribbed cuff and will be learning a new heel and toe technique. (wait till you see the finished sock!).

The orange and yellow sock you see here is a project spectrum knit. It still needs it's mate. I'm working on finishing it now. ( I couldn't wait to start the other sock!!) It's called the "seaweed sock". Again, the photo doesn't do the sock justice. The pattern was fun to knit and at the end of the first 12 rows, I was like "Wow" because of how the pattern was emerging. It's definitely not boring. With this sock, I learned how not to get those little holes around the gusset and heel that make sock knitters crazy! I used Knit Pick's 100% merino wool in "Zinnia".

Several months ago I saw an invitation on www.bluemoonfibers.com to join their "Socks that Rock club". You pay a fee for a set number of months (you choose the length of your subscription)and receive patterns and hand dyed yarns before the public does. I waited to long to decide whether I wanted to join. As usual, by the time I made my decision, it was too late. I put myself on the waiting list. Well, Lo and Behold! They opened the club to 200 more members and I jumped on the STR bandwagon. I'm so glad I did. The colors and feel of the yarn are YUMMY! It's really beautiful yarn. I can't wait to start knitting with it. OH, PLEASE SOMEBODY SAVE ME FROM MY KNITTING OBSESSION! No really, I didn't mean it. I want my addiction (LOL)!

Hi secret pal I have guessed who you are, but wanted to give you a shout out! Hope your having a good week!!

Get knitting!

Handmade versus Homemade

Ever since I started knitting again (2 years ago), I've been just as obssessed about increasing my knitting library as I am with increasing my yarn stash. I started out with basic technique books, so I'd be ready to tackle any pattern! I haven't reqretted any book I've chosen, but I started seeing a trend in the books I'd bought. Different set-up,patterns, and layouts, but the same techniques explained in slightly different ways. I'm not knocking it, but... I needed to find something with more finishing techniques, especially after the last knitting course I took.

The woman teaching the class discussed how knitted garments, bags, socks...whatever you knitted should look handmade not homemade. She went on to explain what she meant. It made me think back a woman I worked with, who knitted beautifully! However, the moment I saw the finshed garments (she made lots of sweaters and baby items)I thought to myself "yep, anyone can see it's homeade). She didn't always block garments and they just didn't look finished. I thought it was too bad, because she was an excellent knitter, who could pick up any pattern and make it!


In terms of my own knitting, I'n no stranger to frogging when things don't look right, or spending as much time putting the garment together as I did knitting it!
Well...I was in a craft store with no intentions of buying any books (believe it or not, I had hit the book buying wall!!). After picking up the dpns I needed, I headed for the checkout. You all know how it is. Stores put enticing items near the register, so you'll by more things on the way out. I didn't want to look, but I saw a book titled "The big book of knitting" by Katharina Buss. It couldn't hurt to look...could it? I'm not going to buy it anyway. It'll be more basic techniques and easy patterns. I"M NOT GONNA BUY IT! I flipped though it. Next thing I know, I'm pouring over it like it's the holy knitting grail. It may not be, but I have to tell you readers, I fell in love with it! It's all about the finishing! Anything you could ever want to know to make items look professional!!! The explanations are good and the layouts help support the instructions. I really could just stare at the pictures for hours. ( I know, I'm a knitter over the edge! 8-})

I've included a couple of pictures from the book. My photography techniques could use some fine tuning, but they'll give you an idea of what's included. Anyway, enough about my book crush (LOL)! Have a good evening. I'm going to check out American Idol ( How could I have gotten sucked into this...it's my first season!)
Get knitting!

Bridget Bardot and secret messages

Hi fellow bloggers in lieu knitting content (everything is in progress), I took a quiz to see what kind of pin-up I am. Voila! Je suis Bridgitte Bardot. Of course, Brigitte is now considered an eccentric, who is very involved in animal rights, to the extreme, as portrayed in/by the media. No doubt tho' she was a beautiful woman.

Bridget Bardot.

You are Brigitte Bardot

Naturally sensual and beautiful You're an exotic beauty who turns heads everywhere You've got a look that's one of a kind

What Famous Pin-up Are You?

My secret pal sent me this cool card. Thanks mysterious person. It was a nice way to end the day!



That's it for now. Have a good evening. Don't forget, Prison Break is on in 4 minutes. I'm on the edge of my seat and the show hasn't even started!

Hi Secret Pal!

Wow, answering this questionnaire makes Secret Pal 8 real. Here's my info secret pal!


1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like sock yarns, Marino wool, cotton, & bamboo. I'm really open to using a variety of yarns. The only yarns I don't like are novelty yarns and redheart brand yarn. Otherwise, my addiction allows for most anything!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I store them in a vase and a knitting bag that hangs in my closet. On occasion I've been known to store them in my hair!

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for 5 years. I'm intermediate level.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, Amazon.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
citrus,light floral, clean scents (cotton/linen), and ginger. I don't like lavender, rose, or vanilla scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I don't have a major sweet tooth, but I'm crazy about Swedish fish and mounds bars (anything coconut & chocolate).

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?Crocheting, beading, and drawing. I don't spin, but I'd like to someday!

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
My music choices are very eclectic. Anything from classical guitar (I play!) to alternative rock. I really love music, so I'm always open to hearing something new (that's right...Another addiction!). My computer can play MP3's.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love autumn/fall colors,rose/mauve,sea green/blues.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a boyfriend and 2 cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear all ofthe above except ponchos. I'm highly allergic to anything poncho or poncho related!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Sweaters (all types), socks (always a pair on the needles, scarves, and always looking to branch out. I'd like to make some felted bags. (I'm probably the last person on the planet to do so!).

13. What are you knitting right now?
Cardi with suede yarn (bolero style), socks, and a summer crochet bag.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YES!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I don't have a preference. I like working with all kinds of needles. I do prefer smaller needs 0 -9's I've never knitted with gargantuan size needles!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, but I plan to own both at some point!

17. How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught me when I was 11 or 12. I made a million granny squares! I started up again 2 years ago and have no plans to ever stop!!!

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
6 months old.

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween!

20. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect knitting books,needles with decorative tops, and cat stuff.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
The book, socks, socks, sock. I subscribe to vogue knitting, knit simple, and creative knitting.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yep, fair isle, lace, and Nordic knitting.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
YES! I'm a 9.5 shoe

24. When is your birthday? (mm/d)

March 20th.

Secret Pal 8 begins!

Secret Pal 8 is beginning and I'm very excited to be a part of it. It's a secret exchange among knitter's. I learned about the secret pal exchange a year ago, but didn't have a blog at the time. (it's a requirement of the exchange). I thought, if I ever became brave enough to start a knitting blog, I'd join in the fun. The time has arrived. This will be my first time participating and I'm expecting to have great fun. I definitely believe giving (in this exchange) is as much fun as the getting! A big part of the fun will be figuring out the identity of your secret pal.

I will have my secret pal 8 questionnaire on the blog by tomorrow night (Fri).

In the meantime, get knitting!