Halfway Down the Stairs

One Cider Moon Sock Done!

We are talking a really speedy pattern! Also? Starting tomorrow Cider Moon is putting their Glacier yarn on sale. 20% off through July 6. I said it yesterday, I'll say it again, go scope it out!

My old SP9 Pal over at Midwest Knit Girl tagged me for the Wiki Meme. You go over to Wikipedia and enter your birthdate and then you pick 3 events, 2 births and 1 holiday that occured on the day of your birthday. Here it is:

February 10

3 Events:
1954 - President Dwight Eisenhower warns against United States intervention in Vietnam.
1940 - The first Tom and Jerry cartoon "Puss Gets the Boot" premiers.
1967 - The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution ratified.

2 Births:
1893 - Jimmy Durante, American actor/comedian (d. 1980)
1961 - George Stephanopoulos, Canadian political commentator
1991 - Emma Roberts, American actress (yep - me and Nancy Drew people!)

1 Holiday: (and there was only one)
Italy - National Memorial Day of the Exiles and Foibe to commemorate Italian Istrian and Dalmatian exiles and Foibe massacres.

16 days left, and we're leaving for the cabin later this afternoon. We'll be back later on Sunday night only to head back again on Tuesday evening until the following Sunday. We'll probably blogio silence for a while. When I come back, there may only be a few days left in this cursed diet.

It's Rasta!


My SP10 Giftee, Megan (to whom I did an early reveal), has ventured into the waters of hand-dying. I commented on her first venture (which I liked very much), and LOOK! She sent me some! Thank you very much Megan!!! I think I'm going to try the Chevron & Feather sock pattern that I found here. It really amazes me the quantity of free patterns I've found on the web!

In the meantime, I've cast on the Cable Twist Socks in some more DK weight from Cider Moon (which you can buy at the Loopy Ewe, but I bought this particular yarn directly from their website). This is Glacier in the Silver Pine colorway.

Quick and easy pattern, and I think it's prettier in the sock than in the yarncake.
Lastly, another de-stash project is on the move. The Eyelet Cardi has made nice progress - I'm about 1/2 inch from starting the armhole shaping. The fabric is very light and stretchy. This may go to a niece for her birthday, then I'm thinking another for me.

Can you believe I only have 17 days left on my yarn diet? Suri Merino, here I come!

Here is the Money Shot-
The Peppercorn Blend Socks I used all but .10 of an ounce of DK weight yarn from Spritely Goods in the Peppercorn Blend colorway. This yarn is very silky to the hand - a little splitty on the Knitpicks needles, but probably would not be a problem on bamboos. I loved knitting away and suddenly coming to one of the very bright red sections of yarn.
This is what I had left - .10 of an ounce on my little scale. I kept weighing it as I was knitting the foot repeats, thinking I couldn't possibly have enough yarn.

Eighteen days left, and do you know what I want?
I want some Suri Merino from Blue Sky Alpacas. I mean, admit it, doesn't even the name sound delicious? Ali over at Skeins Her Way is having a contest and giving some of this away. I entered, but I dont care, come July 15 I am SOOOOO ordering a big old pile of this. I like all three of those colors up above. Seriously, I am stomping my feet, pouting and saying (in my head and heart), "But I WANT it!!!!"

I gotta go visit Chaos and Mayhem now for my daily dose of kitty cute. See you later gators!

I Double Dog Dare You!

Can't get much more Project Spectrum than this:

I am going to yarncake this today seeing as the Peppercorn socks are done. First I have to do some bankerly stuff and go grocery shopping. I hate it when real life gets in the way of my projects.

For a treat go visit Mama-E.

FO, CO and what? I dunno...PO?


I finished one sock (I'm gusseting #2).


I cast on the Eyelet Cardigan. Maybe someday I'll be grownup enough to do the math and knit this in one piece on a big circ - but today I have a migraine and it needs to be simple reading for me.

And this would be pluggin' on - the Arches and Columns scarf is up to 20" - I just pick it up and knit a row here and there. My pal shipped it to me with a really good smelling dryer sheet in the box, and it retains the lovely smell, I love when I pick it up.

I was tempted, so tempted this weekend! The Northwest Fiber & Book store in Spooner, WI has a new owner and my SIL wanted to go check out the goods, but I held strong (and went out on the jet ski instead!) So that brings me to today. Twenty days left in the fast and I am sad because I know all that nummy lovely new stuff that went up at the Loopy Ewe is going to be gone by July 15.

Also, those ladies over at Ruby Sapphire keep tempting with the pretty, pretty....

I actually do have some Yarn Pr0n to show you tomorrow. My Project Spectrum C*eye*ber Fiber skein came last week (along with my STR - but everybody's got some of that!) It's actually up in my stash over at Ravelry, but I'll post a pic here as well.

Oh, ho, ho! It's an FO.


Sorry for the crappy photo, but the color is really pretty close, maybe a little less neon in appearance, more matte. The only thing this sweater is missing is a ribbon to tie it closed. It's quite a heavy yarn, Auracania Nature Cotton - 5 1/2 skeins, in burnt orange. The pattern is the Sunkist Cardi by Kirsten Kapur. The pattern is really easy and quick. I cast it on the needles on June 8 and I finished it last night on June 19.

The stashbusing continues - I am casting on the Eyelet Cardi next. Anyone else? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

The Spritely Yarns Peppercorn blend called for a less lacy stitch pattern, so here is the start using the Vertical Waffle pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I am turning the heel on this sock this morning and then I am going to begin the seaming on the Bam Boo Mess.

Also? I am on Ravelry! Look for Guinifer and I will be your friend!

25 days remain in the Yarn Diet. I have my Loopy Ewe basket filled and waiting for July 16, is that wrong? I did receive my Socks that Rock Sock of the Month club today. This one is my favorite. I'll show and tell a little later.

Kona says: "Hey! I don't hear no frogs Lady!"


But I heard them loud and clear later this night:
when I realized there was no way this sock was going to fit my foot. So, while I did complete one sock, I also ripped it back and cast on 60 stitches this time around. I may try a less bulky pattern this time around as well. (Sigh!) Well, at least I got the sleeves finished on my cardi. I just need to do the ribbing around the front and neckline and then there will be another FO to put in my closet!!!
Just for Mia - see we have a couple different styles of Kayaks - but yes, they are mostly for fun on our little lake.One of the blogs I lurk at, Momma Monkey, is opening a new Etsy store this week. She's going to have these awesome little project bags with coordinating yarn and other stuff. Check her out. She's also got some awesome sock patterns.

27 days and counting, I really wish my blog friends would quit teasing me (sigh).

Last Hurrah!

Before the weekend...
White Oak Studio has an Etsy store and she has named her yarns colorways after TV shows and movies. With Jana's permission, I've borrowed photos of CSI Miami, Gunsmoke and Gilligan's Island up there. She also packages a stitch marker with each purchase of two skeins of yarn (enough for a pair of socks) and priced at $24 - Swarovski crystal and sterling silver. They all make me think of tropical islands.

I actually purchased some of this yarn here for my SP10 Pal (I showed you a peek back on May 3), so I still have not broken my Yarn Diet, tho' I am sorely tempted, indeed.

So, as of Friday morning, I have 30 days left, and I am on the road to the cabin again. I don't have to drive this time, so I plan on finishing the cardi and a sock this weekend! Woo and Hoo!

Summer Progress is Slow

I have come to the realization that I am likely NOT going to make my 7 mile goal for the Sock Marathon. I am trying to stash bust other yarns, and in order to hit that goal I would have to knit socks and only socks for the next 32 days. (Coincidentally, the Marathon ends on the same day as my Yarn Diet). I have a feeling that a more realistic goal is going to be 5 miles. I'm currently at 4.4 miles. So there it is, realistic goal revision.

The good news is that I am about to pick up the sleeves on my Sunkist Cardi. This has been a great stashbusting pattern. She has quite a few free patterns on her website at Through the Loops.

Above is my Spritely Goods Peppercorn Blend Sock. I am using a stitch pattern from More Sensational Socks. I promise a better photo of the pattern later (and the pattern name, for that matter).

So, did you catch the fact that I have only 32 days remaining in my Yarn Diet? The Loopy Ewe did a Sneak Up last night and I have to say that I am really wishing for some of that Misty Mountain Farm. They really have lovely muted colors. Yum. Hide a few for me Sheri!

Also, keep an eye on the Sweet Sheep if you are wishing for some Yarntini Variegated. LOVE the Yarntini - especially when she works in the Tencel blends.

Well, I'm off to taxi my kids on their appointed rounds.

Kona Sez:

"Enough of these kitty & doggy bellies - won't SOMEONE throw my ball?"


The cabin was a little chilly until Sunday, but we had sunshine so noone complained. It was too windy for the kayaks, but the kids did take them out into the creek on Saturday afternoon. Fishing was great on Saturday evening - 8 pound Bass and a lovely lady Walleye (which my husband threw back, because, catch and realease, you know).

A little knitting progress (I drove both directions), but no photos this morning.

However, every knitting vendor in the known universe is trying to break my yarn diet. I had so many e-mails from different yarn shops, I want to cry!

Scout has a full stock of Go Knit pouches in her store. I love my purple pouch.

Sophie's Toes is updating at 10:00 am today. Her colorways are fantabulous - really - and it goes so quickly.

Woolgirl has updated her shop with loads of lovely new yarns. Lavender Sheep, Liisu Sock Yarn, Three Irish Girls, Union Center Knits and Woolarina.

And, of course, I missed the Maruca bags update at the Loopy Ewe. What is a girl to do? But she has really expanded her stock. I love the shawl pins by Romi.

Well, it is only 34 more days.

Jess, we're actually kind of between Hayward and Spooner, on Whitefish Lake. We make a trip to Hayward almost every weekend though. My son goes to camp up at Lake Owen so I make at least two trips a year to the Pine Needles shop in Cable. They really have lovely people working there.

Knitting progress tomorrow - I promise!

Blocking, Finishing and Traveling:

It doesn't look like such a mess all pinned down like this, does it? Monday we start the sewing.

Pretty, pretty Dragonfly socks. The men think it looks like camouflage. Yarn is STR Monsoon from the first Rocking Sock Club shipment. Hmmm, we must be getting the next shipment sometime this month?
Here is the Sunkist Cardi which is going on the road with me this weekend. School's out and we're heading up to the cabin later this morning. If you're ever over in Hayward WI over the summer let me know - we make awesome Bloody Mary's at our place.

Here are yesterday's comments:

Hey, you, Jeanne, and I should have an eyelet cardi knitalong. :)

Wait - me too!! Can I have a knit-a-long too. I think I h ave sosme Calmer in my stash. Or else I'll get some. Or I'll find something else. Please, please, can I play??

GO MAN GO!

I was going to suggest a knitalong, but I see Chris already has. It might take something like that to get me going. We had better let Deb play along too. You have quite an impressive list of projects there.

Love the idea for the Calmer. I've got a bunch in my stash, wonder if it's enough for that pattern...

I am totally up for a KAL - but I've never organized anything like that - any advice from my eager friends?

37 days, and the stashbusting is really rolling now!

Object: Stashbusting

Exhibit A: Peppercorn Blend sock yarn and More Sensational Knitted Socks.

Somewhere in there is the pattern for this sock yarn. It shall go exploring with me to the cabin this weekend.

Exhibit B: The Sunkist Cardi - which has been cast on tonight - I anticipate quick completion. The yarn is Auracania that I bought in a stash reduction from this lady. I've never met her, but I love her blog and her book. Right after she sent her first book off to the publisher, she posted about unloading some of the extra yarn - I raised my hand rather quickly. This stuff tangles on the skein like nobodies' business.
Exhibit C: Blue Sky Alpacas Eyelet Cardi - to be knit out of the sherbert appearing yarn above that has been marinating in my stash for well over a year. I nabbed it on sale at a LYS.

Exhibit D: This is the green Malabrigo (yummm) that Puck chose for his knitted item from Mom. This needs to be a hat sometime before next snowboard season.
Exhibit E: Rowan Calmer which I also purchased last Fall at 40% off at another LYS. The French Girl pattern that I ordered to go with this yarn was never released. I think it will look very sweet in this cardi from Stephanie Japel and Knitty.

The Purple Rain scarf is still on the desk in front of me and tomorrow I shall have another FO to show you (the dragonfly socks flew off the needles tonight). I also went to Yarnzilla today and I purchased a pair of Addis (size 10) and Rowan Number 41, as I am all about the stashbusting!!

38 days left on Thursday. Somebody asked me what I was going to do on day zero - go on a yarn binge? Actually, There is a sweater in IK Spring that I want to knit very badly and there is nothing in my stash that is appropriate. I keep finding yarn that I love, figuring out the yardage, and putting it into my shopping basket. Then, my fine friends, I click the little X and close the window. Sigh.

On a sporting note - Anaheim wins the Stanley Cup. It was a heated debate on who should win this matchup over here at Chez Stairs. Much quacking and trash talking was going on at my house.

Thursday night Puck's Lacrosse team faces the Minneapolis team. (gulp)

Hey Rani - the Skippers are our Lacrosse nemesis. Our main competition in the Youth arena.

Labels: New projects

April/May Project Spectrum: Pink, Green and Yellow





ETA: Top to bottom, left to right. 1. The Bam Boo mess pre-completion. 2. My Charade sock. 3. My new Bleeding Heart plant. 4. My Spritely Goods sock. 5. Sock Madness Mad Weave sock in Vesper Crew. 6. Um...another new plant. 7. My Pink Zebra Socks 8. Roza's socks in Yarntini merino blend.

There are 24 days left in June and 15 days in July - has every 90 days seemed so long? My wish list is growing, but I'm also excited about the projects I have planned from my stash.

Our little 5/6 Lacrosse team played the mighty Hornets tonight and won 4-3. They are now 2-0-0 and 8 more games until the playoffs. For a mom, it's kind of scary to watch your average sized fifth grader get onto a Lacrosse field lined up against a team made up of mostly 6th graders, with a couple kids who are easily two heads taller than your guy on the other team. Put them out there with long metal poles to whack at each other (which is mostly legal) and all you can do is hope somebody gives you a whistle. (Ha! They made me Timekeeper so I had the horn!) Some of the best officiating we've had in years too, thank goodness. The Hornets had only had two practices and they hadn't been taught how to legally use their poles. Whew! Luckily, Puck is one of the toughest little sprouts who's ever been given a six foot pole to play with. Yay. Rah. Eagles!

The Mess is OFF the Needles!


Now to block it. Any advice for blocking Bam Boo?

That box beneath it is for my SP10 Pal. I totally outed myself last week so she is getting her giant last package very soon. Go stop by and tease Megan, cause she's trying to stay away from my blog! (A girl after my own heart! She likes to be surprised!)

Remaining goals for the week: Finish Monsoon sock #2, cast on the Sunkist Cardi, find an appropriate pattern for my Spritely Goods Peppercorn Blend sock yarn.

40 days left. Will I make it? I am feeling very pressured to crank some yarn out of the stash.

ETA: By the way - 10 pizzas, three dozen cans of soda and two dozen cookies were enough to feed 15 fifteen-year olds. Dudes!

Last week of school???

Seriously, where did the school year go? I have before me a summer of driving to camps and amusement parks and weekend trips to the cabin(Yay). Oh, and Lacrosse games.

Indeed, progress was made this weekend!
-7 inches on the Purple Rain Scarf
-8 inches on the Bam Boo Mess
-3 inches on the 2nd Dragonfly sock

I predict I will be casting on something new this week! Sorry for the messy-looking picture - I was not in the mood for artsy this morning.

So, as I was setting up my Bloglines Feeds last night, I stumbled across some really yummy sock patterns. Join me in check these out!

There the Waving Not Drowning sock pattern - very Jaywalker-like. The Violet Green Wool Shop has some other patterns - check it out!

I also found Manning Knits (who is currently posting about TNNA) - she has a couple of gorgeous sock patterns!

So at day 41 I am slowing the enabling and offering you some sock stash busting patterns! Yay!

Now I have to go to Costco and buy food for 15 year olds. Ha! Lacrosse end-of-season party - wish me luck!

Remember the Sock Madness Color Weave Pattern?


The pattern is available for free right here!

Visit her at Woolgathering and thank her for the cool pattern!

Later people, I don't usually post on Sundays so I'm savin' it for tomorrow!

Mini Goals

So on Tuesday I set out a little list of goals for the week, I'm pretty excited because I can say I got them all done!

I finished the back of the Bam Boo mess on Tuesday. I finished up 1/2 of the the Dragonfly socks last night (I KNOW! It looks very Monkey-ish - really easy pattern). Also? I buttoned up the Flair! It is now in my closet waiting for the humidity to subside so I can actually wear it. ETA: Sorry! I knit this out of Blue Sky Cotton (LOVE), I cast it on the needles on day 80 of my fast and today is 44 so, I had to wait for buttons, but the knitting part of this was finished by day 65 of the fast - so knitting it actually took about two weeks, interspersed with lots of socks, a purple lace scarf and the Bam Boo Mess. When this diet is over, I plan on knitting with a lot of Blue Sky yarn 'cause my stash is crying for some more.

Goals for the Weekend:
Hmm? Socks or Bam Boo? Let's start with trying to finish the front of the Bam Boo Mess - we'll get that stuff out of the stash so I can cast on my Sunkist Cardi in my Patagonia (the brick orange stuff in the photo last Friday. We'll cast on the other Dragonfly sock as well.)

44 days people, that means that I can't take advantage of this:

20% off Sale

Free Shipping (US and Canada) and 20% off all items except club memberships. Just mention "mailing list" when purchasing and we will send you an updated total. Sale Lasts thru June 4th.

http://ruby297.etsy.com

(hehehe - thought you'd escaped the Enabling, didn't you!)