I've Been a Lazy Blogger

     Ouch!  It's been 8 months since I blogged ... that is terrible! 

     I've decided to participate in dd's Year of the Sweater on her vidcast http://roundthetwistwithcarin.blogspot.com/.  So ... I've pulled partially completed sweaters out of plastic containers and drawers.  The first that I finished was a Cable and Garter Cardigan knit with Blue Tree Frog merino melange.  I finished crocheting/sewing the piece together but didn't sew on the buttons until this past week-end. 

Next was a vest out of Textiles a Mano Paris, a boucle yarn with Cascade 220 ribbing.  The buttons are temporarily missing, but will be added before next fall.



Next to  finish was a Lacy Leaf Yoke t-shirt in Cascade Ultra Pima. 

1. 

Last to complete was a sleeve on a Tulip sweater in Dream in Color classy.  

    

Progress Made!

I haven't entered any knitting in the local county fair in probably 20+ years. The group I knit with on Tuesday evenings decided that each person should enter something ... I chose my SS 2011 Shawl (blue ribbon), Recuperation Socks (blue), DH's Christmas 2010 Socks (red), and Market Bag (red). Most of us are already planning to enter again next year.

I've been working on the Summer Mystery Shawlette pattern by Wendy D Johnson for dd, Alcariel. She knit the shawlette, but I'm expanding it to a full shawl using Brooks Farm Acero yarn, purchased at Estes Park Wool Market in June.

I added 192 sts CO sts to the outer edge of the shawl, 433 sts total, which increases the repeats of Chart 3 to seven times! I'm halfway through the second repeat... each repeat decreases the sts by 48. I am under 300 sts now ... the rows are getting shorter instead of longer.
I started the above socks for Sock Summit from the striping yarn available from Three Ewes Twisted in Fiber. Before I forgot how to do it, I added the after-thought Crystal Heel from the class dd and I took at SS. I still have about 1.5 inches to knit before doing the toe ... on the first sock! I haven't knitted single socks in over three years ... always used 2AAT on magic loop after learning about the technique. At least with the striping yarn, I will be able to match the length closely.

I've finally finished kitchenering the toes of the plain vanilla socks from some Paca Ped yarn I picked up on a week's retreat last summer in the southern part of the state. I wished I had used the afterthought heel when I knitted these socks last fall, but didn't, so they pool on the instep.

Oh... I've officially retired from teaching school! I've really been enjoying my care-free summer ... not having classes, workshops, curriculum, or lesson plans to do and having the $$ I spent on classroom supplies and school clothes .... to spend at Sock Summit instead.

At the doctor's appt yesterday, the surgeon said I should be a "poster person" for total knee replacement and the importance of sticking with therapy suggestions to prevent stiffness. He couldn't believe how well I was walking ... was really delighted when I told him my physical therapist asked another one in the practice to watch my "gait" and tell which knee I had replaced ... he chose the wrong knee because I was "favoring" that one. Don't have to see the doctor until next April for the year check-up.

I'm Back!

. After several months of physical therapy and prescription drugs, an orthopedic surgeon said the only thing to do was total knee replacement. So, ... finally April 12, my new knee was in place. Not being able to sit for long lengths of time ... I was told to get up every 20 minutes and walk for 10 minutes ... which I faithfully did for the first six weeks after surgery. This summer I have event gone for a couple of "short" bike rides around town. Most people who saw me walking then, couldn't believe how well I was doing. I would like to say that was my reason for doing so was just to feel better ... NOT! I wanted to be ready to go with my daughter, Alcariel on Ravelry, to the Estes Park Wool Market in early June and then to Portland for Sock Summit 2011 in late July. Estes Park was okay, but I did use my cane a bit for support especially when standing in one place for longer than a couple of minutes. All this time, my knitting was severally affected by my not being able to sit for a couple hours each afternoon or evening.




We just returned last week from Sock Summit ... I was able to keep up, most of the time, when walking places ... met friends made in 2009 at the first event ... renewed those acquaintances this year ... made new contacts in the knitting world ... participated in classes and listened to lectures ... exchanged "sweet corn" stitch markers with other participants ... knitted in the convention center's lower hallway each day ... and started to make plans for the 2013 event that was "rumored about" at the meet-up. The best thing was the marketplace with many beautiful yarns, needles, bags, patterns, etc. that have come to live in our house, at least until the yarn is all knit.
I did finish a Dane Shawl in the ST-1 (a colorway chosen by Steph (the Yarn Harlot) and Tina (from Blue Moon Fiber Arts), the two bravest ladies to take on such an event for the second time. Here's the blocked shawl and also a close-up. It was orange, rust, green, and a golden yellow knitted in BMFL STR lightweight. I did purchase a sufficient amount of yarn in the 2011 colorway chosen by the same two ... for a shawl for the next conference ... haven't picked the pattern yet.

Preparing for Recuperation

First of all, I have been terrible in keeping my knitting blog updated. As a teacher, I have to maintain a website, blog, wikispace, etc. for students to consult. Well, that takes a lot of time. Since this is my last year of teacher, next year there won't be that excuse.
In mid-August before school started, I took a "tumble" while wheeling a small cart with supplies on it from my car into school. Actually, the cart began to fall and I ended up astride it. II was diagnosed with a severely strained knee and went through six weeks of physical therapy. The pain never went away and actually became worse. So, the end of November, I was back at the doctor's office. He referred me to an orthopedic surgeon about 55 miles west of home. I was given an appointment for Dec. 19 only to have it cancelled the week before when the surgeon suffered an injury and needed to have "a procedure" done ... the receptionist said that he wouldn't be accepting new patients until the 3rd to 4th week of January. I didn't want to wait that long, so I was given an appointment on Dec. 29 with the other knee specialist in the same office. He gave me a cortisone shot that "zapped" all pain ... but for only six days! He did say it wasn't a fix, but a temporary relief from pain. I would need complete knee replacement surgery within 4-6 weeks. Well, I called the office the end of last week to schedule surgery only to be told the "knee docs" and their staff were at a conference and would be home mid-week. Knowing that I won't be as agile as before ... at least for a while, I decided that I need to prepare for the recuperation time.
This past week-end, I was able to get knitting projects ready to knit ... a sweater for my dog, a shawl for a friend, a vest that has been a WIP way too long, and I sweater that I started last year at this time only to discover that I didn't have enough yarn for the long sleeves that I wanted, instead of the 3/4 length on the pattern. I took care of the most important "stuff", at least to me, first.
Since then I have been making double batches of some of our favorite meals to put in the freezer so the dh can take them out and easily make lunch and supper. So far, I have made hamballs (put them in cupcake tins to freeze), Swedish meatballs, a couple of soups, some beef gravy made from the crockpot drippings of a beef roast (for hot beef sandwiches), and still hope to make a couple chicken casseroles that we like. We won't starve!
Here in the midwest, we have endured another two-day snowfall and are just waiting for the wind to pick up later today to give us the blizzard status. We received 8+ inches of the light, fluffy snow that glistened under the streetlight last night, so when the wind comes, it will blow. Before the snow, we did have freezing sleet, so that roadways are very slippery. We have had two days of school cancelled, so will have those added on the end of the school year.
I try to post some completed projects later on today ... can only sit at the computer about 10 minutes before my knee starts aching.
Happy knitting, everyone! TLGB

I'm a Shameful Blogger

DD (Alcariel on Ravelry) decided to come home for the Labor Day week-end. After church this morning, I changed clothes and came out with knitted socks. DD said, "When did you do those?" When I told her that they were from TLE sock club last spring, she then said, "Well, you haven't blogged in a couple of months." My reply was, "I didn't know that you read my blog." Her answer was a resounding, "YES, I do!" So, I guess I'd better put the completed socks up. These are March Mosaic Socks by Wendy Johnson in the spring chill colorway from Fiesta Yarns Baby Boom. I did the pair toe-up (yes, Deb Barnhill, another pair of toe-up socks) ml on Addis #1 and #2. They were started April 27 and finished May 12, so a quick knit for me.

An FO this summer was the New Shell scarf from Jamieson's Ultra fw shetland yarn, a gift from Hreow in an RSE. I had started it May 16, 2009, but didn't finish it. Then when the snows of 2009-10 came about every two weeks, it was my project ... but I did finish it until July 15 ... this summer. The pattern only called for two balls of the yarn called strawberry crush, but Hreow had sent 3 since I like wide, long scarves. I knitted until I thought I just had enough left for the bind-off ... and I just did ... about one foot was all that remained.

I'm also working on another Gail shawl, this a Christmas gift for a friend ...from Kraemer Yarns Sterling Silver and Silk yarn in the tuxedo colorway. I hope to do 12 pattern repeats and am just starting the 9th repeat. Hopefully it will be finished by the end of September.

My knitting has slowed a lot due to an unfortunate accident the day before classes began at school. I was bringing the last of my "stuff" on a small AV cart when the wheel caught on a crack in the sidewalk sending my "stuff" and me forward. Not wanting to meet up with the cement sidewalk, I pushed my hands down onto the side of the cart and that saved my fall. It did, however, leave me with a severly strained left knee. I have been taking physical therapy and am starting to feel some relief. I haven't missed a day (actually just the morning), but have come home to the cold packs and tylenol. Just haven't seemed as enthused about knitting. That will change ... I guarantee that!

Happy knitting! TLGB

Blogging Apology

I have been a terrible blogger lately.

Dd and I went out to Estes Park for the Wool Market again this year ... June 10-13. We took an Orenburg lace class from Galina. Yes, we spent two days learning the motifs and then putting them together for an "original" design. In the afternoon of the second day, Galina asked if anyone needed help with a knitting problem. I asked for her to show me continental knitting which she graciously did. I heard that it was easier on arthritis ... I have basal joint arthritis in my right thumb. Well, it doesn't help with mine ... I've started a scarf and will complete it, but don't know if I'll be able to do it until I have the surgery. The scarf is our of Manos de Uruguay in a silk/merino blend ... absolutely divine to knit. Don't have the pic on my laptop yet, so that will come. We were able to preview/purchase at the vender barn Friday after classes were concluded. Dd and I exhibited extreme control. Both of us made yarn purchases from Galina's booth, Skaska Designs. Dd was able to find a couple of sheep fleeces.
The entire time was rainly ... from a gentle shower to a downpour on Saturday when we went out to the fairgrounds. Sunday morning we packed the car in a heavy rain and drove in rain most of the way across Nebraska.

These are my completed Eunice socks by Cookie A for the KAL that dd hosts on her videocast blog here. They were knit with Sockissima Colori Socka Color 100 in the colorway 09 (blue, purple, green, dark gold). I knit them 2AAT on #3 Addi ml ... started in early June and finished late in the month.

I've started my next pair, Hermoine's Everyday Socks in Wollmeise Supersocke in the Saumi colorway (red, yellow, blue, white).

Happy knitting! TLGB

Cozi's Cabled Sweater

On 12-17-09 , I started a new sweater for dh's Brittany. Dd (Alcariel on Rav) had knit a bright orange sweater 3 years ago, but it has shown its use and wear even though it is covered with a neoprene chest protector when the dog is hunting with dh. This is her new, "going to visit" sweater. It is Garnstudio's "Cabled Dog Sweater" in Plymouth Galway worsted wool, on #6 and #7 KP Harmony circ. The pattern called for sport/dk wt and the largest size given was for a "medium" dog ... about 6 inches short in the body and 5 inches in the burst (chest). With the medium size adjusted for length where needed, it fits the 40 lb. Brittany perfectly. Finished earlier this afternoon.

The Loopy Ewe Sock Club

DD, Alcariel on Rav, convinced me earlier this year to try get in the sock club from The Loopy Ewe. She did tell me, though, that it was a lottery system so not everyone that applies will be accepted. Well ... I got in and received the first shipment in March ... love it, but had to wait to finish two pairs of socks on the magic loop already. Both a sock and scarf pattern came, but I chose the socks ... and then discovered that they were toe up. Both dd and I took Deb Barnhill's class at Sock Summit last summer, "Toe-up for the Stubborn." I finished my pair of socks, but dd decided to frog hers since she wasn't enjoying the knit but liked both the stitch pattern she chose and they yarn. Well, here's how my socks look so far.

Pattern: March Mosaic Socks by Wendy Johnson

Yarn: Fiesta Yarns Baby Boom - Spring Chill colorway

2AAT on magic loop - Addi #1 2.25mm

I'm also trying to complete a wip each month. For both April and May, however, I working to complete a scarf from Jamieson's Sheltland wool, an exchange gift from Hreow here on Ravelry. The pic is at the halfway mark, but I've finished the first two balls of light fingering weight, so am at the two-thirds mark. The pattern was also included New Shell Scarf. Can't wait to block it!

An FO and some SAM socks

I decided to complete a WIP over Easter week-end when dd was visiting. I chose the Hemlock Ring Doily Throw that I started about 18 months ago. I found the knitted edging to be very slow going for me with the arthritic joint at the base of my right thumb ... heavy knitting tends to aggravate it a lot. I did, however, finish knitting and did the blocking earlier this week. It ended up blocking to 56 inches diameter.

Just completed my April socks. These are Cookie A's Glynis socks from Sock Innovation. The yarn was the March shipment from the Unique Sheep's Sip 'n Stitch Club - Footprints in the Quechua colorway. I did 2AAT on #2 Addi ml.

Kai Mei Socks ... done!

After knitting dd socks from Cookie A's Sock Innovation, I decided that I'd like a pair, too. I picked the Kai Mei in STR's colorway Lucky. I've have knitted most of my socks on magic loop in the past 3 years, so that's what I started until it came to the gussets. I just couldn't make it work, so I took each sock off, frogged what little I had done, and ended up working them individually on dpns until I was ready to knit out the foot. When placed back on the circ, I place the lace pattern gusset with the instep on one side, the "plain" gusset and sole on the other. That way, I would work a m1 on the sole and do the dec at the edge of the pattern to make it "travel" across the top of the foot. When I was finished with the pattern, they fit my size 10 foot perfectly. Here's a close-up of the stitch pattern.

Happy knitting! TLGB

I'm Still Alive and Knitting!

Once again, I'm using the same title for my knitting. I have really been neglecting my blog along with the "busy-ness" of the professional development requirements for school this year. Retirement in another year appears most attractive.

DD and attended the 2010 Knit-In of the DSM Metro Knitters again for some "get-away" time from the midwestern winter ... this year an especially snowy one. We both had knit a Fiber Trends Huggable Hedgehog for the two dd of our knitting instructor from Sock Summit. The first thing we did after getting to the room was to add the eyes and nose to our creature and stuff them. DD had purchased some plastic pellets in the doll supply section at Hobby Lobby for a weight in the "bottom". We enclosed them in a fabric "sack" made from some scrap material and that worked quite well to give each one enough weight in that area to sit up well. DD is planning on shipping them to the girls very soon!

As part of my 2010 knitting intentions, I want to complete socks each month for the SAM group here on Ravelry. My arthritic right thumb isn't causing too many problems, so I've made it through February now. I used the Wollmeise Socks by Monica Jines to knit with the gradient colorway Coffee House Reef from the Unique Sheep's Stitch 'n Sip Club, a gift from dd. I didn't use the 4th color, however, since it wasn't needed. I hadn't checked the US's website for beginning the new color until dd suggested I do so. I had to frog about 6 rows of colors 1 and 2. To change colors, I knit 2 rows color 2, 4 rows color 1, 4 rows color 2, and 2 rows color 1 ... then just continued with color 2. It really "blends" the colors together quite well.

I've also been working on several WIPs ... the cabled dog sweater for dh's Brittany, the New Shell scarf (part of a swap package from Hreow in the RSE), socks for dh, and started the socks for March, Holidazed with some OnLine sock yarn from my stash.

That's all for now ... wow, spring is only 20 days away and we still have about 3 feet of snow on our yard. We have received 5+ feet this winter. That's enough!

Happy knitting! TLGB

More snow ...... more time to knit!

No, I haven't disappeared ... I have just been neglecting my blog. This is partially to keep Christmas gifts a surprise partnered with a very busy fall in my job - teaching Spanish 1 to 80 students, all but four freshmen.


Early in fall, I asked dd to pick a color of Wollmeise from my stash for her Christmas socks. I then asked her to choose some patterns that she would like .... from Cookie A's Sock Innovation. She marked 4-5 different patterns. As she was choosing, I heard her say, "These are stockinette on the foot which would work in my nursing shoes." So ... I chose that pattern "Sam" with Wollmeise 100% merino in the True Love colorway, 2AAT on ml. Started them the end of September and finished them in a month (I do have 2-3 pairs of socks ON most of the time).
Then, as a surprise, I decided to knit the Gail shawl (aka Nightsongs) . I chose a colorway that I had received as a member of the Wollmeise sock club last year, the colorway Okzident, a blend of blue, green, charcoal. I finished the edge with STR lightweight in the Thraven colorway, it blended quite well. I followed the pattern using US #7 harmony circ from KP, but didn't care for the tightness of the bind-off. The pic above is with that bind-off. So, after Christmas when dd had opened the present, I frogged the bind-off and did my usual loose bind-off. It had a lot more stretch to it and should bring the points out farther. DD said that she would block it, but if she doesn't want to, I can get it from her later this month and do it then.

When dd and I were at Sock Summit in August, I purchased a some Krazy Zauberball in the U boat colorway (navy, green, light and dark gray) especially for dh since he is a WW II history nut. When I started knitting the socks in October, it was really overcast ..... hardly had a sunny day all month. In November when the sunny, colder days came, some purple appeared in midst of the navy .... dh doesn't like purple. Well, I continued on and only let him know they were his socks when I had him try one on after the heel turn, just to make sure it worked for his high instep. His comment, "They're so soft and beautiful." Well, he really likes them. The dd of a coffee friend is a full-time elementary teacher as well as mom to three children (15, 12, 7) and her husband has been deployed to Iraq since last summer. She has been having a tough time around the holidays, so I decided to knit her the Magic Shawl from Rav with Noro Silk Garden in colorway 251 on size 10.5. Her dh surprised her by coming home for 10 days, arriving the Sunday after Christmas. I've finished the shawl and each of the coffee ladies will write a little message to her to include with the shawl. She can choose to read them all at once or read one whenever she needs a little "hug" from her dm's friends.

Oh, an explanation about the title ... in the past two weeks, we have received three substantial snowstorms complete with blizzard winds and very cold wind-chill temps. We are in the midst of the third one right now. The two previous ones each dropped about a foot of the light fluffy snow that hasn't ever settled or crusted over .... each little wind we get blows it around. That is the case today and tomorrow. The ditches are full in the countryside, so that a danger for those traveling ... the highway east of town is blocked by several semi trucks. I do like winter and the whiteness of the snow. Hope I still like it after the next two months .... usually a time when we get a lot of snow.
Happy knitting. TLGB

I'm Still Alive and Knitting!

I have been terrible with my blog the past three months. I have been knitting, mostly Christmas presents that I've been trying to keep "secret" from dd and dh. Dh doesn't realize, most times, that what I'm knitting is his. I started the Cauchy socks from Cookie A's "Sock Innovation" in a Crazy Zauberball that I purchased at Sock Summit's marketplace. The colorway was described as royal blue, charcoal (almost black), a teal green, and light gray. Well, there's about an inch wide strip of purple in the middle of the royal blue. Shortly after our marriage 37+ years ago, dh told me that he didn't wear pink or purple. Well, I hope that he has mellowed now that he's over 60, but just in case he doesn't I've just started a pair of socks in a dark hunter green Huntington from Valley Yarns that I purchased from WEBS at sock summit ..... destined for Valentine's Day. If I get them finished, I'll be happy.

In mid-September a specialist diagnosed the pain in the base of my right thumb as basal joint arthritis at an "old" thumb fracture site. I think that probably happened 10+ years ago on an ambulance run. It was treated as a "jammed" thumb with no xrays taken. I, too, thought that was the case until last year this time when I could not do color knitting as I had before due to the extreme pain. Now at least there's a diagnosis. I have a splint to wear when needed and take ibuprofen as needed. Other knitting hasn't been affected that much, just slower. Now, I wasn't a fast knitter like some, but realize when the pain starts to stop knitting and do a "paraffin dip". That really helps.

I am about 3/4 finished with a knitted hedge hog (from Fiber Trends) for the daughter of a teacher/friend that dd and I became acquainted with at Sock Summit. Just purchased the nose and eyes. DD (Alcariel on Rav) hasn't started hers for the other daughter, so we've decided that it will be a gift in the New Year. I did finish the toe-up socks from my class at SS "Toe-up for the Stubborn" with Deb Barnhill. And ..... I do wear them just about every week!

I'm quite the "proud mama" since dd started a videocast after our return from Sock Summit. Check it out at http://roundthetwistwithcarin.blogspot.com/. Both dh and I are eager on Thursday mornings to watch it with our first cup of coffee.

Today is "start the Christmas tree" day. We have an artificial one that has a lot of branches to be placed and then I weave the strings of white mini lights through the branches. Usually a two-day task after I return from teaching my Spanish 1 classes. All I have done so far, is the furniture moved out of the walls and trying to fit everything with room for the tree. I'll take a pic when it is done. Dd always likes to see the tree in the front window when she comes home for Christmas.

Happy December everyone! TLGB

Toe-up Socks Almost Done!

I'm almost finished with my toe up socks that I started after DD and I took the Sock Summit class, Toe Up for the Stubborn with Deb Barnhill. Here's the latest pic taken-
This pic shows the socks with 7 pattern repeats completed above the heel flaps - I actually did 8 and then had to only do the first 5 rows on the last repeat. Now I'm about two rows into the 1x1 rib - I'll probably do a total of 18 rows, so it will take some time. I hope to have these completed this week-end.

Helen's Socks Are Completed!

Just finished the socks for Helen, the elderly lady I taught with when I first started 38 years ago. The pattern is Socks of Kindness: A Recipe, knit with Austermann Step (colorway 09) on Addi #1 ml. Can't wait until next week when dd comes home and we present both she and her husband Art with hand-knitted wool socks. She is always admiring what I'm knitting when we meet at the coffee shop.

Happy knitting! TLGB

Dear Helen's Socks

After dd and I returned from SS09, we had to have morning coffee at "The Grind". A retired 90 yo+ teacher and her dh always come in after 8:30 for their cups of coffee and a shared bagel/scone. DD, Alcariel on Rav, said,"Why don't we knit Helen and Art some socks?" We took quick glimpses of their feet and have just guessed at what sizes to make. She decided to make hers for Art out of some yarn she purchased at SS. She has already finished hers and I'm still working on mine for Helen. Check Art's socks out on her videocast. I'm about 1 inch past the gusset. Helen's feet appear to be about the same size as mine (10 ladies), so I have about 6.5 inches to go before starting the toes. With school starting, my knitting time has been shortened. With the extra day this week-end, maybe I'll get a lot done. It's a bright, sunny afternoon, so decided to take some pics. The small bits of teal/turquoise don't show well in the photos.

I've done all my prep work for teaching next week, so will have plenty of time to knit. Dh is on medic duty all week-end, so I may not see a lot of him.
Have a happy and safe Labor Day! Happy knitting! TLGB

Knitting With Beads

I decided to pull out the Heart to Heart Scarf by Silvia Harding that was part of the Embrace the Lace Club from Woolgirl. When the package arrived in late May, I started with the gorgeous cashmere yarn right away. I was, however, always dropping a bead and searching for it. Well, I've come up with the following help that is really working for me. I'm using a half-size cake/cookie sheet with the rubber shelf liner in the bottom. I've been copying my stitch patterns on index cards that I cover with clear Contact paper for ease in taking with me and not destroying the pattern. I can load my crochet hook with beads and leave it on the matt ..... it doesn't move anywhere. With the tray on my lap, what beads may fall on the matt, stay there! I actually may enjoy beaded knitting now. Here's a couple pics.

I'll try to take a pic of the first repeats of the shawl this afternoon and post those, too.
Happy knitting! TLGB

RSE4 Scarf Is Done!

I've been in all the Ravelry Scarf Exchanges and also was an angel. This scarf, however, had me stumped for a couple of months ....... I knew what yarn I was going to use for Starrypurplehaze, but the patterns I tried, all three, just didn't work. Then, I decided to try a pattern I had received recently .... BINGO! ..... just perfect. On July 28, I started the scarf for the 4th time and just finished it this afternoon ...... it's blocking as I blog. I can hardly wait to get it off the blocking board ..... I have a 4x8 ft. piece of 3/4" styrofoam insulation that I use ..... It stood up amazingly well with all the pins I use when I block. 9-8-09 Scarf has been received, so here's the pics. I'm also trying to get the Gaia Shoulder Hug done for a friend. It only takes one skein of Noro sock yarn. A lady was knitting one at the SS, so I went in the marketplace, found the yarn at Paradise Fibers, and ran the pattern off in the lobby of the hotel. Then I discovered that I had left my notebook with all my circs at home. It was the first thing I started when I returned home.

Then I'll do the socks for an elderly retired teacher ......, she and her husband come every morning for coffee and a bagel/scone/sweet bread at the Daily Grind here. She and her dh, both in their early 90's, still live at home without outside assistance. They are amazing people! DD has already completed Art's socks and I do have Helen's about 3 inches down on the legs. I do both on ml, so once I get started, they will go fast.

I'll then do the socks I started at Sock Summit for my Toe-Up for the Stubborn class. I have the magic cast-on mastered and am halfway up the foot, but now I have to study the "formula" sheets that Deb, knitpharm on Rav, gave at her class. I'm honestly looking forward to getting busy on them.
That's all for now. Happy knitting! TLGB!

Sock Summit Memoirs

Sock Summit is in the past, the memories made there will last forever. DD and I flew into Portland on Wed., Aug. 5. We encountered a fellow sock enthusiast while waiting in the Denver airport ....http://www.ravelry.com/people/jtdalzell. We were even staying at the same hotel, so stayed together on the train ride from the airport. We arrived later at night, so we just met up with fellow Ravelers in the lounge area and finally ate some food ..... we had just snacked since leaving on our flights mid-morning. The beds really felt good that night.

Our hotel was diagonally across the intersection from the Oregon Convention Center . We were up early to get registered. The above pic was taken from the hotel's parking area. Once we were across the busy streets, the SS banner greeted us.

We didn't have trouble finding the registration ..... just follow the sound of lively conversation.Then DD, and I simply had to unhook the rows of 5-6 chairs to form a knitting circle. The next day we were politely informed that the circle had to become an oval due to Fire Marshall's orders. It worked the same ..... make a circle or oval and the knitters will come and join. It was a joy to not have to explain to people what we were doing .....just tell what we were knitting. Even though we had volunteered to help where needed, there were a lot of us, so we didn't have to do anything but knit.

Friday we had our Toe-up for the Stubborn class with Deb Barnhill ..... excellent! DD and I will both definitely be trying Deb's method for toe-up ..... soon! Shortly after our class ended, we took part in the Guiness book record-breaking with over 900 knitters knitting on straight needles (2 only ...... four dpns are not 2). The fifteen minutes of simultaneous knitting without looking at directions went fast with the Yarn Harlot announcing, "Okay, you may stop now." A reply could be heard from the back of the hall, "Just one more row." What a fun time!

Saturday morning, I was greeted by Knittog, my upstream from RSE last year at this time. She took a class in the morning and then treated dd and I to lunch at the center and walked around the marketplace with DD while I was in my last class. She gave a "goody" bag with munchies and coffee for the hotel room and also passes for our ride out and back from the Rav get-together. Thanks, Sharon!

On Saturday evening, Ravelry held a gathering at the World Forestry Center, about a 25 min. train ride from the hotel. I won the last "door prize" -- four patterns that Chrissy Gardiner was debuting at SS.

Sunday, we loaded up our dirty clothes to UPS back home ...... didn't want to trust UPS with our precious yarn purchases, I guess. That also gave us opportunity for one last knitting circle at the OCC, one last walk through the marketplace before the Luminary panel discussion of the history of knitting from truly great contributors to knitting as we know it today.

Then we had to pack ..... but Deb Barnhill called our room and said that we should knit together .... so we had some more quality knit time before we needed to finish packing and get some rest. Deb had to get up at 4am, but we slept in 'til 7am. Took the train to DPX at 9am and left DPX at 11, arrived in Omaha at 5:30pm, gathering luggage, loaded it in the car, and took off for northern Iowa ..... arrived home about 11pm.

Tina and Steph, all your hard work will never be forgotten ..... Sock Summit was GREAT!

Magic Shawl Completed!

The shawl is done...... ready to wear in Portland for the Sock Summit. The thing grew and grew as I was blocking it. The wingspan was 92 inches and the center back length was 36 inches. I ended up stopping on row 142 in the large size before starting the border. I had 66 gr left in the yarn cake but since the last row took a full 5 gr, didn't have enough to complete the six row repeat plus the border. The blocking wires worked well .......placed them around the outside edge of the shawl but also up the center back to add some stabilization as I was blocking it. Here's the pics of blocking and the finished shawl.Also have to complete "homework" for the SS09 ..... need to do about six more rows on my toe-up socks. I've always had a problem with my high instep when buying shoes, but now I also have the problem with knitted socks ..... which I absolutely love to wear! I chose the Absinthe pattern from the current Knitty. Was able to get the toes looking okay ..... just have to be halfway up the foot. Here's a current pic. Just in case the socks don't fit, I decided to choose a colorway I didn't care for too much ..... Lucky was the choice. I can always wear them at Christmas and for St. Patrick's Day ..... if they fit.

I've started the Cable and Garter cardigan from Frog Tree. I'm just starting the cables on the back. That's all for now. Happy knitting, everyone!

TLGB