Every Little Thing...

Ever hear that Police song? It's been applied to me many times for various reasons. It's even Celtic Consort and my song. We were out at the bar, I played it on the jukebox, we discovered we both loved that song, and the Police, and just Sting solo. Imagine my excitement when these came in the mail. Woohoo! I think I'm taking the next day off considering I'm likely to be hoarse. Now I just need to get Sting cornered to pose with a sock in progress.

Speaking of socks, I've been working on my Lenores (note the no pic, guess what that means) and Elder Celting's Faux Fairisle after the release of Rogue. As you can see, I've finished the front of the Faux Fairisle and I'm ready to work on the boring black back and sleeves. And just when I thought I'd get on with it. The baby who is the intended recipient of my Rocketry kit, fortuitously came forth into the world. On the down side, I haven't even cast on so I'm already behind. Whoops! Guess the boring black will have to wait a little.

I also got this lovely package from Julia today. Check out the cute button on my yarn. Sorry it's blurry but the camera either wouldn't focus or would wash it out. Two beautiful skeins to start working on both socks and a hat with a design idea in mind. I can't wait to.... well see above. ;) Okay just kicked over to check I had the link right and she had MORE beautiful sock yarns in new colorways. I'm yearning for Antigone and Pavement but must show control as this order was my second in two weeks. See more things to distract from the boring black. uhum

Oh and look new storage for the living room. I got that new furniture a few months back and I've been struggling with where to keep the knitting. You can ask Laurie, not very many options in my small abode. This lovely article was found on clearance at Target for just under $20 and matches the dark wood of the furniture to a T. It also holds a ton of crap. So much crap that we've regained a whole seat on the couch. :) I think it is supposed to be a magazine rack but it's perfect to fit between the end of the couch and the dog bed where Ginger rarely lays. She's usually sucking up a couch seat because CC has a soft spot for her. "She needs to be warm..." Yeah that heating vent right at her bed is making her cold.

Finishing and Finishing

I finished my Noro Riverbed socks! Aren't they neat? I had a lot of fun with this one even though the leg seemed to take forever because it's taller than I normally do. I was shooting for complete consumption but my count on the niddy noddy must've been off. Good excuse to order a yarn meter which I've been wanting anyhow.

And... I'm doing the finishing on Rogue tonight. I steamed out the pieces on my day off yesterday while there was no one to just fling it to one side as it dried and ruin my blocking. YAY! I'm all excited to wear it for Friday knitting.

Since I've finished two projects and I had much success teaching my brioche class Saturday. (Hi Ann! Hi Kate!), I had a small(ish) falling down at Bloomin' Yarns on Saturday. I picked up patterns and kits for Tulip and Rocketry. I also picked up some Opal in a Bethel Park style colorway to do socks for the boys, black yarn to work out the Faux Fairisle Hoodie, and the Tulip for Women pattern. I was tempted to start buying yarn for that but controlled myself.... somewhat. Miss Carly was there as well and I helped her start grafting her toe on her Steeler sock.

But before I start on Faux Fairisle, I'm going to finish Lenore. You remember... October's RSC sock from last year? I started on them before I was gifted with the Noro from Julia which screamed for attention. So I'm determined to make progress on them before I start digging in on Elder Celting's Faux Fairisle.

Snow Day!

So why are these boys all rosy? Because they're warming up from their winter wonderland activities. We all got a snow day today as both school and daycare were called due to the weather. And boy was I glad. The Celtic Consort called on his way to work to say if I could take the day off, I should as the roads were pretty crappy. Over 500 school closings and delays, a child's dream. So after I dug out some boots for Elder Celting, the boys and Ginger went out into the snow. There was snowman construction which quickly developed into a snowball fight. This was quickly followed by lots of sledding. The back yard has two hills which make for a great ride. I had to call in the cold wet Celtings before they became Celt-cicles. :) Everything into the dryer and hot chocolate into bellies.

So what was I doing besides standing at the kitchen window taking pictures? Well, I'm working on Rogue. As you can see, I'm almost done with the first sleeve and hope to get past the main cabling of the second sleeve this evening. The goal is to be able to wear it for the weekend. Although, I have to see how the sleeve will lay with the body. I may have to frog the sleeve cap to add some length but we'll see. You'll have to excuse the color on the pictures. In order to get the cable detail, I sacrificed the color accuracy. Oh and I used PumpkinMama's grafting instructions for the hood. Not bad...

After Rogue, the next project is Elder Celting's Faux Fairisle Hoodie. I can't wait to start on that one.

Brioche Baby!

Sorry, I've been distracted lately. I'm trying to type up all sorts of knitting stuff lately. I'm working on documenting the Thumbody Special sweater, start writing out the Indecisive Socks, and typing up instructions for a class I'm teaching over at Bloomin' Yarns. Brioche! BICOLOR Brioche!

I don't know exactly why I love this stitch but I do. It's so squishy and yummy. It's also reversible. It looks kind of like ribbing but it's more dimensional than that. I first got started with it with the Helmet Hat in Interweave. I made one for my friend's daughter and I loved it.

So this weekend I went off to Bloomin' to get some supplies to do example swatches. I ended up picking some Gems in linen gray and teal. All I can say is I now love this yarn. It's superwash, has a ton of colors, and it has a great hand. So here are my swatches:

I totally love this yarn and I'm picturing a Wallaby in the gray with some teal accents. But even beyond that, I'm working on a hat idea I have too. If you look at these pictures you can see the furrows and ridges that make up the stitch. It's easier in the two color version. In those the teal is the ridge and the the grey is the furrow. All this is, is a slip stitch pattern. Toss in a couple yarn overs and some knit togethers and you have this fun pattern. It's perfect for baby blankets, socks, hats, scarves, and even sweaters.

Happy Birthday Younger Celting

So I've been MIA due to preparations and celebrations for YC's birthday this past Sunday. This is birthday number 6 for him and I'm wondering where the time has gone. I'm already cringing for EC's birthday in April as he's hitting double digits. In all the hustle bustle, Laurie emailed me at work to see if I had seen my Knitting Pattern A Day calendar on Thursday. I took a look and guess what I saw:
Hello? Has she been reading me? You can find the designer here. Funny part about it was that Laurie hadn't even seen the Friday pattern until I emailed back laughing.



Anyhow, YC got this which Dad already helped him build. And Mom and Dad got him this:
We've already been trying to be a rock star but haven't made it yet. However, both boys have said that "Mom ROCKS!" Woohoo!



So speaking of birthdays, my mother's is coming quick on the heels of YC's on Sunday followed next week by the Celtic Consort's a week from today. She loves socks so I was thinking maybe some Noro ones. Julia gifted me with a skein and I used my borrowed niddy noddy to split it in half. I've cast on and started up the toe of the Riverbed pattern from Cat Bordhi's book. I'm loving the soft transition of the greens but I'm anxious for the purples. Anywho, I've found the fabric is much softer than the ball would have you think but I'm waiting for the final soak and spin before I say if I would use it again.

That leaves my Lenore's patiently waiting for me to return to them as well as Rogue nibbling into knitting time. I've started on the cable on the front just before the hood split. I'm making time but will be stalled a little with those socks. With that said, the Notre Dame sweater made an appearance at the birthday party on Saturday. See, it fits perfect and is well loved. :) Yay!



Oh and I stopped in at Heather's blog and saw her post about her name. I've always loved to hear what is said about mine so here's what I found. Note that it says I'm the total package

What Sara Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Do you want this or what?

So back in November, the Celtic Consort and I invested in some new furniture. My two favorite things about the new stuff is the wonderful backdrop it makes to my knitting photos and the fact that the coffee table had 4 stools that tuck in underneath. That second feature will come in handy with the birthday celebrations for Younger Celting this weekend. But what does this have to do with anything? Well, the Consort spent the day calling about trying to donate our old stuff to some organization. It's in okay condition... good enough that we gave our friends first crack at carrying it off. Well apparently the general consensus with the organizations was that it was a pain for them to have to come and get it. The Vets said it was too long. Goodwill only has certain locations pickup. There were a few more in there. Finally, after some gruff conversation, the Salvation Army agreed to take it. The gentleman offered to book the next date for pickup... Feb 23. Huh? Six weeks? I can see 2 or 3, maybe even stretch to 4 weeks. Six? What happened to we'll be happy to have it? The Consort is so disgruntled about it, he suggested that it be blog fodder. Yeah the same guy who refers to the knitting group as The Cult and can't get the concept of the blog. So there it is.

Now on to KNITTING!

Okay well first spinning. Julia and I brought our wheels to knitting on Friday. She's still spinning that beautiful roving that Laurie, Heather, and I all agree we need to have. I've been working on some yummy purple stuff. Look at the beautiful heathery effect it's getting.

I eventually put that away to work on Rogue. I took some shots once I was able to stop knitting long enough to pick up the camera. I'm totally enjoying it. I can't wait until I get to the point of wearing it.

Okay and for my final part, I'm participating in TKR's pledge:

I hereby pledge to send a handmade gift to the first three people who comment on this entry. No real promises about time frame, but it’ll be within the next 365 days. In return, you have to post the same offer on your blog, and prepare to send a gift to three other people.

Maybe I'll gift someone with some handspun.....

Wheels In The Van Go Round and Round

So how did I spend the day before Rock Day? Well with wonderful company of course! See that's my wheel hiding under the blue cover and Laurie's Kiwi going for a ride in the van. Heather was gracious enough to let us descend upon her home. I in return brought my bears to party with her bear. We all brough our wheels and proceeded to spin all afternoon. Well... we did nibble at the tasty snacks she had and we played with Julia's drum carder too.
The first batch was a yummy blend of blues and greens. I took to calling it Mermaid Lagoon. The colors remind you of an intensely bright tropical lagoon with the light just sparkling off of it. Then we did something that seemed like Sparkling Berries. Both were just absolutely beautiful and tempt me to want to get a drum carder. Well, you know, after I auction off one of the Celtings.... The good news is that I relaxed and spun somewhat decently for once. IF I just keep going, I should have some "real" yarn soon. Not quite as good as this, but hey we aren't all perfect. Oh and Julia's roving is even better in person.




Anyhow, I started on my Lenore socks and I'm working on Rogue. No pics today but I'll post them tomorrw. A little too hectic and post holiday teardown around here for decent shots.