Again with the catching up

Back in July Lesley at Twig's (mis)Adventures in Knitting nominated me for a Rockin' Girl Blogger Award but because my schedule this summer has been something I don't care to repeat next summer, I never even mentioned it. Having been nominated by someone like Twig, our charming hostess of the Hockey Knitters Knit-A-Long, phenomenal blogging skills, knitting skills that I can only aspire too, and author of some of the funniest comments known to MFB, I must say I felt honored. Just the other day Jenna aka A South Park Republican nominated me as well. I just recently discovered Jenna in the last couple of months, she has a very funny unique "voice" if you will and she even traveled through a town I used to live in this summer - and treated me to some wonderful pictures that made me homesick.

I want to pass the nomination onto all of you out here but the thing is I'm supposed to pass it on to five specific Girls.
#1. Angie at Dipsy Doodle
#2. Francesca at Fluffbuff
#3. Ava at When a Door Closes
#4. Brigitte at Wrapped Around My Finger
#5. Knitty Otter

And ten others of you out here.

On the stash front, my friend Lori gifted me with this Mountain Colors Bearfoot during the summer. She picked it up when she was in Baltimore for a weekend. It's the Alpine colorway and I sooooo love it. Thanks again Lori!

Wild Kat progress

I'm home sick today - I don't do well with colds as I seldom get sick, but this one has ripped through the office like wildfire. One coworker last week, and two others this week - I thought I had enough anti bodies built up against my coworkers during the last two and half years but I was wrong. It's sure to be a beautiful weekend and here I am - a mess of a head cold. Heavy sigh! Luckily it's this weekend where I had no particular plans, rather than the next two weekends where we have cookouts and road trips.

So the bright side is maybe I can catch up with my friends blogs out here and show you what I've accomplished on my socks. I prefer to concentrate on the bright side so here we go.

I've turned the heel on the socks and am working on the gusset now - but - and it's a huge but MFB and friends who've seen me - no wise cracks please - I think I have to rip back to the gusset pick ups. Last night was my second get together with two local knitters I met on Ravelry and some of their friends. We've had a good time the last couple of weeks but last night my cold was developing and trying to remember the specific directions from the internet was confusing with the socializing. I spotted an error on one of the socks several pattern repeats back where instead of a SSK, I did a K2Tog and PSSO but I don't think it's going to cause a huge problem. This two socks at a time is cool - but the gusset decreases have to be done differently than what I'm used to and that is throwing me a bit.

I started this pattern with Addi Turbos and ordered some Knit Picks circulars for the portion of the pattern where you switch to smaller needles. I've read so much about both I thought I would give them a try. I'll be buying more Knit Picks. They are just as nice as the Addi and even with the shipping, are less expensive then the Addi. The tips are pointier as well and that is a plus with the Tofutsies yarn.

Last Saturday morning MFB and I decided to go to Harrisburg for the day for some odds and ends. That morning what should show up in the mail but my cell phone rebate - thank you very much. So of course I added a stop at Colonial Yarn Shop in Shiremanstown where I came home with some Cascade Superwash for my niece who visited the other week and asked for a Farrow Rib Scarf from The Little Box of Scarves and Fetching. The other is this lovely Lily Chin Gotham color 3399. It's 48% pima cotton and 52% merino wool. I plan to use it for the Gusset-Heel Gansey Sock. I think this yarn will really show off the stitches.

Socks on Circulars

I've spent a good deal of my time this week working on my projects in Ravelry. Talk about an organized database - it's great. I've found some neat patterns for some of my stash so I'm pretty excited. One of the many groups I've joined is Mid Penn Ravelers, where I've connected with a couple of local ladies and we plan on getting together this week at our local Starbucks. Should be fun.

I decided last week to try socks on circular needles when I found this tutorial and after a couple of false starts I'm now 3 1/2 pattern repeats into my Wild Kat Socks with Tofutsies. I like this technique as the lace pattern seems easier, when I'm not watching a movie, to remember. No second sock syndrome either. The Tofutsies isn't nearly as stretchy as the Tess Designs and it's a little splitty, but so far I like it.

A couple weeks ago MFB and I went to Pittsburgh for a getaway weekend. Our first stop in the city was scheduled to be Knit One. Well, when we went through all those cars a couple months ago we left the road atlas in one of them. So when MFB picked me up from work that Friday, he had a surprise for me. Meet our friend MIO, or as I sometime refer to him, @$$h()!e. I have wanted a GPS for several months now. I have, and have enlisted several of our friends to, harass MFB to the point that I have been almost hysterical with laughter over the need for one. Now what am I going to tease him about?! The instruction manual isn't real informative, but I was the passenger so I learned. The tunnels into Pittsburgh were closed for the weekend but I couldn't figure out how to get the thing to "avoid" steps in the route so it was pretty funny and the nickname was born.

We made it to Knit One and what a store. Very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff. The shop was spacious and airy and had a wonderful seating area with magazines, so after about 15mins of waiting for me in the car MFB came in and was quite comfortable. I went looking for yarn for the Second Wave Clapotis KAL. I came away with this from Autumn House Farm. This is Summer Silk, 50% Silk 50% Rayon, in the Rose colorway and I have 800 yards. Come join us there we start in September.

Can you believe August is almost over? I'm so not ready for Fall or Winter.

First Pair for Summer of Socks 2007!

I am so excited to have finished my Monkey Socks! As the post title says, this is my first pair for Summer of Socks 2007, she says like she may be able to finish a second pair. I started these around June 26 and finished them August 15. I love these socks, the pattern, the yarn, the color and the feel. I did make one modification - I added 8 stitches and divided them by 2 stitches per pattern repeat. I've never modified a pattern before, so I was excited that logic worked. This is Tess' Designs Supersock and Baby in the Peach Melba colorway.

New project, deep breath, teaching myself to knit two socks at a time on two circulars. I purchased two Addi Turbo circular US 2 24" needles at my LYS and cast on last night. Starting this at 9:00pm last night was not a good idea. You know the saying, read all the instructions before starting? Why would I do that?! So - ripped back out this evening and will start over.

I joined the Tofutsies Sock Club a couple months ago and have already received two of their limited edition colors and three patterns. I'm actually going to use the first ball of yarn I picked up at Maryland Sheep and Wool and I'm doing the Wild Kat pattern.

I received my Ravelry invite a couple weeks ago and as a couple of my friends here have said, it is the black hole of time! LOL The database is fantastic - it's such a great search engine. If I haven't found you yet and you're there, let me know.

Keep kind thoughts for me will you? I don't know how this circular needle sock knitting thing will go. After I ripped out this evening I discovered I had the needles around my neck, not like a noose YET, but like a necklace.

Woodpecker update: MFB put cheap pinwheels up. The next morning - you guessed it - the little ph is back. MFB then put up a magnifying makeup mirror and covered up the holes with galvinized steel. (poor embarrassed porch) Since then we haven't seen any new damage, but - the roof is low and MFB is tall. He had to move the makeup mirror over about a foot - he forgot it was there *giggle* Keep your fingers crossed!

The Story of Three ... Conclusion

This all started the other day when I said I'm haunted by the number three.

My cell phone was almost three years old. Battery needed to be recharged almost every day, the face of it had a big crack, and it was heavy and bulky. The cost of a new battery was about half the cost of a new phone so I started researching phones. I found one that was perfect, MP3 player, 2 megapixel camera, the new 3G network so it would be fast when I decide to add a data plan once hockey season starts. After leaving Colonial Yarn MFB and I met up at the cell phone store and I showed him what I had decided on. MFB knows a lot more about electronic items than I do as I'm more interested in fiber, so I generally defer to his recommendation. This being said, I was all excited to show him what I found and proud of my research. He hadn't made a decision on the new phone he wanted but we went ahead and purchased the new one I wanted. He talked me into getting the flashy red model. I went to work getting to know the phone.

The next day I discover there is no voice activated dial which I assumed was standard as it was on the old phone. We confirmed that the phone I bought could be returned within 30 days - and the saleslady asked if we still had the box, because if we returned the phone without the box, we would be charged a $25 packaging fee. We were glad she mentioned that as the box was sitting in the trash. So, back to the drawing board. Two days later I returned phone #2 for phone #3. #3 is not flashy red and the camera is a 1.5 megapixel, but I really like this one.

Moving on now, MFB and I have done a lot of renovating of our 125 year old home. We found some kitchen taps over the 4th of July weekend we both liked but I had to talk him into purchasing as they're a little modern for our house but a very clean design. We bought them from his favorite toy store, but it happens to be about an hour away from home. The next day he has the water turned off and the old taps out then opens the box and there is this scratch on the plate. This is a good brand name and was pricey enough to perturb us. He went ahead and installed this and we thought we'd live with it. The taps didn't work right from the beginning, dripped just bad enough. Two weeks later we bought set #3, installed it then returned set #2.

You're still here? Well then I am going to show you the other yarn I picked up at the Colonial Yarn Shop in Shiremanstown. This is Claudia Hand Paints in the Red Wagon colorway. It reminds me of watermelon. 100% Merino Fingering Weight 175 yards/50 grams. I haven't decided which sock pattern yet.

The Story of Three - Part 1

This is the story of three, or as MFB refers to it, The tale of Two Volvos.

The Volvo S80 we've had for the last four years reached about 160,000 miles and we were considering replacing it after we replaced the mass air fuel sensor for the second time. The discussions became more frequent after we discovered the oil leak it had was the master seal. Then one day I said, the car smells of gasoline, and he said no it's oil. Really, it smelled like gasoline. We contacted a wholesaler we met at the car show a couple months ago and started shopping. We spent a couple of weeks of test driving. One car with twin turbos that he loved and I - not so much. I love speed and performance but thought this might be a little too fast, and wasn't fond of the body style. I almost changed my mind when I saw these really cool cubbies in the front doors that were perfect for storing traveling knitting projects. But I can't buy a car simply because I could hide stash in it, right? RIGHT?

What we bought was a 3 year old Volvo S80 with a low pressure turbo. Fast, extremely comfortable, and enough after market goodies to keep you know who busy on the weekends for the rest of the summer. I actually wasn't with him for the test drive or purchase as I was out of town on a business trip. It came home with him on a Wednesday night. I got home on Thursday night, and Friday after work we take it to Grove City. It was comfortable and roomy, just what we were looking for.

On Monday I drive it for the first time and as I leave work to head home, the check engine light comes on. MFB drives the car, and the light goes out. After some work at a dealer we take it back to the wholesaler. He calls us two days later and the problem is going to require surgery that may take two weeks. In the same breath, the wholesaler tells us that they have another car which is almost an exact twin to the one now in the operating room. They offer to take the car they sold us back and to sell us this twin as a straight across trade. They did everything they could to make the situation right and we are very happy with the 2nd new car. The customer service this wholesaler showed us is something one doesn't always see these days, and now we see why customers from all over the Eastern states travel to buy vehicles from them. That's my story of three Volvos in a month.

I didn't mention it but the wholesaler is almost two hours away in Manheim, near Harrisburg. The day we went to pick up Volvo #3, we drove MFB's Stratus and I took my knitting with me - naturally. While he was swapping out the XM radio for the second time, I sat in the wholesalers office knitting. All of a sudden, MFB said "didn't you want to go find that yarn store on the West Shore? Why don't you head out?" So head out I did, after finding out that Volvo #1 did indeed have a fuel line leak along with the oil leak - Hah!

I needed a GPS to find this yarn store and of course I didn't have one. I called the yarn store, she gave perfect directions but do you think I could follow them? I drove past the exit by a good 10 miles, and ended up calling the store 3 times. These are the times where I wonder where I would be without my cell phone. I finally arrived at The Colonial Yarn Shop in Shiremanstown and came home with a couple of yarns that I can't find at my LYS's. Here's a skein of Colinette Jitterbug in the Jay colorway. It has a sock pattern on the label but I haven't looked closely to see what it is.

The Story of Three to be continued.

Decompressing

Where has the summer gone in the APK household? Mine has been drowned in work hours due to a staffing shortage and special projects on top of my usual duties. I'm lucky as I enjoy my job, but I'd say I was close to burnout. Luckily things started letting up a bit this past week, and by the end of this upcoming week things will be settling down.

MFB definitely handles more than his share of the domestic duties normally, and during the last couple of months has taken on 99.9%. Thanks for looking after me and things this summer MFB, you're one in a million!!

OK my knitting friends - thanks for all the compliments on the start of the Monkey Socks from the last post, and I'm sorry I didn't thank you all personally via an email or kept up with you all. That should be changing over this weekend though, as I am currently sitting on the deck with my MP3 player (Bob Seger at the moment Old Time Rock & Roll), glass of orange juice and club soda, house phone and cell phone. The phones are with me so that I don't have to leave the fresh air. Nothing better than the fresh air and sunshine (today very overcast though) to recharge.

I finished the first Monkey Sock last week and took it with me to my knitting group. I have a feeling a few other ladies are going to be looking for some of this Tess Designs yarn as it truly is a joy to the touch and wonderfully dyed. I'm currently working on the ribbing of the second sock.

Tide to Go® to Grove City --

I have to tell you a quick story of a weekend away last month with a little fiber at the end. Our best friends live in Canada and so of course we don't get to see them often, but we made special plans to meet in Grove City PA. It seems Canadians flock here as most of the cars we saw had Ontario plates. Why that tourist hotspot? (snerk) Outlet Mall shopping of course. My girlfriend (I'll call her B) is in her final year of residency and our spouses know when their spouses are working hard and the going is rough, the tough go shopping. I was wearing white pants and during one of our rest the tootsies breaks, must have sat on something. We didn't realize this until I made a restroom break after lunch where B tells me "you have something on your arse". No worries, I have Tide to Go® My attempt to remove the item was decent, but my friend the doctor decided this required the expertise of an MD. We were in luck, there was a forlorn looking folding chair in the large sized restroom and so she sits down and all of a sudden I see the doctor in her. I'm told to "bend over". So here I am with my dainty white pant clad behind sticking in her face and she's operating. Anyone with a camera? I hope not. Ladies are walking by doing their best to ignore, but one looked particularly surprised. Now my friend and I are not what our spouses would call shy. I looked at this lady and said, "Don't worry, she's a doctor," and B says, "You wouldn't believe the things I've seen!!" Priceless. The weekend was unforgettable and exactly what the four of us needed.

There was a yarn store there I wanted to visit but I think the store I found wasn't the one I was looking for. I think what I found was a more of a gift shop, and it was CLOSED on a Saturday for a family reunion. Couldn't have been a yarn store, eh?

So here's the fiber. We return home from a fantastic weekend with our Canadian friends, and in the mailbox is a package from a new Canadian friend I've met. First at her blog, and then in person when I stopped in Kniterary, the yarn store she just recently purchased in Whitby Ontario. She sent me a lovely note and this terrific Canadian sockyarn which is 74% Superwash Merino and 25% Nylon in Winter Skies colorway, which was dyed exclusively for her shop. I was admiring it when I stopped in her shop but didn't purchase it. Thanks so much Martina, it was such a wonderful surprise. I plan on starting this on the first day of winter. It will remind me of the warm greeting you gave me in your totally cool (I love your store) shop!

Next post could be a bit longer - stories of why I'm currently haunted by the number three. Oh - and pictures of stash enhancement, because even though I've been working, I've been shopping.

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

(warning picture heavy post)

I actually spoiled myself on Friday of Memorial Day weekend by taking a few hours off in the morning. Lori and I got together for breakfast and then hit our LYS for their annual Memorial Day weekend sale. The store opened at 10:00am, which is when we arrived and there were already knitters leaving with bags full of their goodies. The doors opened 10 minutes before we arrived. Not to worry as I still came away with what I went for. Solid color sock yarn, I have some instructions from Twig on Mosaic socks and the blue and white will make nice warm Penn State hockey socks. The multicolor was an impulse buy a well thought out plan for a pair of socks. When I left Lori was still shopping.

I worked for about four hours and then MFB picked me up and we headed north to Canada to visit his family for the weekend. It's usually about a seven hour drive and if I'm knitting, then I'm a happy camper as it makes the drive go quickly. About two hours into the drive and my knitting, I was to the point of picking up stitches on the gusset of the P socks when I discovered I didn't have the fifth needle. OH NO!! I searched and searched. No luck. I accidentally left my MP3 player at home, and my camera in the back seat of the other car, and my knitting needle - who knows. Shortly afterwards MFB heard "I'm bored, you must amuse me now." We managed - somehow.

My SIL and I were going to do our version of a yarn crawl but she had to cancel as she was hosting the family barbecue the following day. Several months ago Martina had passed along some information to me about Myrtle Station Wool and I was bound and determined to find it, which we did. In my experience this shop is a little different. I was browsing stock in the owners actual living quarters - bedrooms. She has a lot of stock, but I had my heart set on more sock yarn and I fell for this Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton Maya color 7019. I'm excited to see how the color striping will look. I also asked her for a some #2 needles forgetting that in Canada when you ask for #2 Canadians think millimeters, and not the #2 that I needed. The good news is it never hurts to have an extra set of needles, eh? The shop owner was very helpful and friendly, so much so that when I got out to the car MFB told me I had been in there for an hour! He's a good sport, but I've also gone with him when he's being fitted for hockey skates and that can take some time.

From there we headed into Whitby for the shopping highlight of the weekend. I mentioned Martina, well this was my chance to actually meet her. A couple months ago Martina did what I think a lot of us dream of. She bought Kniterary! I emailed her about a week before and told her I hoped to stop in as we would be up visiting family. This shop is wonderful. I don't know how to describe the interior color but it was a light green color somewhere between lime and neon, bright, cheery and the perfect backdrop for Martina. You know who had some stops to make in the area and after meeting Martina he went off on his own. If any of you have read Martina's blog you'll know that she's had some changes in her life recently, a few rough patches, but I have to say she's found her calling. I even met her husband Jim who stopped in while I was there. The Kniterary website shows that they have Canadian wools and this was of special interest to me. So while Martina and I were getting to know one another she was showing me all her special yarns. And here is what I came home with. The hank of hand dyed yarn is Fleece Artist Kid Aran, 50% Kid 50% Wool. I think it's the Cosmic Dawn colorway. Then two balls of Mission Falls 1824 Wool, 100% merino superwash in the Macaw colorway. Martina suggested a scarf with alternating rows and then braiding the ends together and she showed me some braiding she was working on which was just lovely. All too soon it was time to head out and at the last minute I remembered a set of dpn's and I saw these little packages of tissues and picked up one for my SIL and one for Lori. This was such a treat for me. I enjoyed meeting Martina as much as I enjoyed meeting Jessica. I'll be back Martina! Not just for your wonderful wares, but your company as well.

Our time not spent hunting yarn was spent enjoying family. MFB, his brother, and sister's boyfriend had planned on golfing Sunday morning before the family barbecue but wouldn't you know it - it rained all day. As my MIL predicted, the rain let up some time late afternoon. All the "grandkids" were in attendance which is a real treat as all but one are now over the age of 18 and have very busy social and work schedules. Our best friends (see you later this month in Grove City) who we get to see maybe once a year came out to the family barbecue even though it was about a three hour drive for them, so my SIL had, lets see 19 people in her house. She makes it look so easy.

On the drive home I was able to knit so here is my progress on the P socks, which lost their twinness somewhere along the way, and here is the yarn haul for the weekend.

Thanks to all the family and friends who made our first trip back to Canada since Christmas another one to remember.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

Whew. How strange life is when the shoe (or cast) is on the other foot. MFB has graduated to using a cane instead of crutches and has a lot more freedom. He changed the spark plugs on my car and did some "puttering" outdoors so he's happy to feel his independence returning. He's still feeling my hovering which frustrates the heck out of him, but we're gradually moving back to a normal existence.

So much so, that he insisted I go to Maryland Sheep and Wool. Well since he insisted ..

Saturday morning I was on a charter bus arranged by my LYS and the bus could not get there fast enough. I was surrounded by good friends and new friends. Two of whom I know better than the others kept me company for about the first hour and then they took a nap. Me, no. Picture the commercial with the two little kids trying to sleep the night before going to a large amusement park known for the Mouse but "I can't, I'm too excited!". MP3 player and knitting to the rescue. One of my traveling companions was knitting socks from Tofutsies, which I have been wondering about. It felt so smooth, that I added that to my small list of must finds. Before we exited the bus, our trip organizer gave us the same wise crack as last year. Don't buy a sheep or a rabbit.

My friend Lori had suggested a couple places to go and so we thought we'd hang together for a short time. First stop - the dreaded t-shirt line. I didn't pick up a shirt last year and had regretted it. I didn't realize there was more than t-shirts! Along with my shirt I got a bucket hat and mouse pad. While waiting to pay Jessica called and she came over to meet up with me. I was really excited to meet up with her again as I so enjoyed our time together in March. Once Lori and I paid for our things, Jessica confirmed our thought that the line across the way was for STR. This was the first item on my list and away we went. Jessica kept us company while we stood in line to pay and actually took a picture of the three of us and as she relates - I do believe this is the first pix of me on the web. Jessica rocks on doing the self portrait thing doesn't she?

Lori took off on her own, and Jessica and I caught up for a little more and then she was off to meet up with others with plans for us to meet up later. Away I went to explore. I found the Tofutsies I wanted, and then at Lori's suggestion off to Tess Designs and bought, yes sock yarn. Then off to find some Koigu. The rumor was that the special Koigu vendor wasn't there due to a broken leg. There was a good deal of sympathy being expressed for the poor thing, and then funny comments about how there seems to be a lot of leg injuries lately with pointed looks (Lori) sent my way.

I treated myself to a lime fizz and headed out for where I thought the knitbloggers meet up would be in hopes to meet up with Bridget. I asked several people if they were she, with no luck. Later on I found out that there was some confusion about where the meet up was and so we missed one another. I met up with Jessica again and she introduced me to Kim, Risa and Risa's shy daughter Kat. Fun times.

By this time I had procured everything I came for. Not ready to head for the bus, I headed back out under the darkening and rumbling skies to explore. I found a tent that wasn't too crowded and wandered and found something special. Told myself, I already have everything I came for and walked about 20 yards away. All of a sudden I was back inside the tent. Asked how much it was and walked out not more than 20 paces when again, all of a sudden I'm back inside the tent and out I walked with it. This isn't lace weight and they only had 200 yards, but I'm thinking something delicate (which I am not). Lori suggested some Victorian looking wrist cuffs with buttons. That sounds promising.

Are you still here? OK then I know you might not believe this as I didn't think to break out the camera but..

While loading up our bus we saw two women lead a sheep to a charter bus with New Jersey plates on it. In the luggage compartment of the bus sat a dog crate. This I did not want to see. What we ended up seeing was the sheep being led up the stairs to join the passengers of the bus. Then the bus took off. I can only assume that the bus was headed to NJ. Probably a long drive, eh? Probably a smelly, noisy drive. If you don't believe me check out Kim and Roberta's blogs.That's everything I came home with.

A very memorable day, spent with terrific people - my day couldn't have been any nicer. Made all the more special because my husband is healing faster than I had imagined.

Amateur Status

When I first discovered the world of knit blogs I saw pictures on my new friends' sites which I thought were pictures of yarn stores. When I realized it was personal stash - I thought "damn - I am such an amateur." I had a small stash back then. I added to it with a trip to Maryland Sheep & Wool and with a few other trips, and the occasional trip to my LYS. Here's a shot of my stash at the end of 2006.

My friend Lori and I went on what I refer to as a yarn crawl on Saturday. We had hoped two more of our friends would join us but Kim was busy at the Capital and our other friend had domestic duties to attend to. Although she did surprise us and showed up on one leg of the crawl. I had a great time and this what I came home with.

After working with bamboo needles this past year on socks, I have fallen in love with bamboo. I dream of replacing my Inox needles with them, so here is a start and they go with the two projects you see. That's Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool for a lace project Zarzuela was kind enough to recommend to me. It's Branching Out by Susan Pierce Lawrence. Then I have two skeins of Tweedy Cotton Classic to make the Shopping Bag by Oat Couture. I picked up a plastic case to stow my dpns and then a book that has intrigued me for months is Shadow Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro.

Even though I have Amateur Status I'm happy with what I have. My plan for knitting from my stash is making a dent (I'm not saying use it all) in my sock yarn before buying more. I do plan on buying more yarn for lace knitting and for some items out of Shadow Knitting.

I had hoped to have one of my scarves finished this weekend, but I didn't quite make it. Should have one done this week.