So, I’ve been having a tough time financially lately and my pal Melissa just started to sell Mary Kay. She thought I might enjoy it as well, and it looks like something I might want to try out. Thing is, I don’t have the money to sign up. So here’s what I’m doing. I have a pattern for sale on Ravelry. It’s called Tendril Embrace and it’s $5. Every person who buys it will get entered into a drawing. Once I’ve gotten the required funds to sign up, I will do a drawing and one person will win a Mary Kay Satin Hands set AND their choice of the following items from my stash.
4 ounces of superwash merino from the yarn wench in the colorway Skydance 2:
A skein of Baruffa Cashwool lace in a greyish teal color, 1460 yards:
OR a skein of Tempted Glam Grrl. It’s got shiny bits of silver in it!
You are also welcome to just donate the $5 and be entered without buying the pattern. Just drop me a comment about it. Please, help me get my kit!
Well I have a few little things to post. There’s been very little knitting, I’ve been too stressed over lots of things. We have a lot going on and it isn’t fun or good. I can’t seem to get over the stress or the depression about it which is evidenced by the lack of knitting. Being too upset to knit is bad for me…
I did get the chance to block my Shetland Triangle shawl finally. I did it in laceweight instead of fingering and did two extra body repeats, but it’s still on the small side. It’s still big enough to be worn though.
I am definitely going to make this shawl again, it was fun and fast and easy. Plus I love it in the white. 
Perfectly light and airy for summer wearing.
I did start the pair of mitts I promised my sister this past winter. They are the Spiraluscious Mitts and really pretty. I have the first one finished, this is an old picture. I’m making the small size, and did an extra repeat on the wrist to make them longer. The pattern is really easy, not one to memorize really, though I did partially, but simple anyway. This yarn (artyarns ultramerino 4) is perfect for it too, I am debating using my pink artyarns for a pair for me. The stitch definition is so good with it.
I haven’t finished the spinning for this month, my allspunup sw merino, but I could still I think. I might try. I haven’t finished either of my pairs of socks either for the cookie knitalong. No way I’m finishing those. The only things I have finished recently are the things I can’t show you. My loopy swap pals items. I am quite pleased with them, they came out really nice and I just hope that she loves them as much as I do.
Oh and I did start my lace ribbon scarf out of the handspun seawool that I did. I forgot to post a picture though, so that will have to wait till next time.
Now I’m going to go relax a bit, I’m still tired even though I got to sleep in. Was up late digging glass out of my foot. It’s been in there for a week but wouldn’t come out, and I finally got it last night at like 2 am. Till next time…
I’ve been bad. I don’t post as often as I should/used to. I just don’t have much to say these days. There’s too much I want to do and not much time.
I bought a sewing pattern. Here’s the link to it if you want to see it. It’s the Topsy Turvy Bear/Bunny/Girl doll set. There is a reason behind it. When I was in maybe 5th grade my mom made one for a girl we knew who had gotten hurt. We loved it so much she made one for me and my sister both. And we both still have them. A little beat up. Hers is missing the hat, at least, and the arm is off on the awake side of mine, and the eye is hanging loose.
It’s the right arm that’s off, but the dress holds it in place. The arms have been sewn on many times, and the ribbons, and the eyes. The fabric of the face and arms are yellowed from age. But to this day it is probably one of my most treasured items. I have a machine, and I have the ambition, and I plan on making one. It might take a while, but that’s ok. And I’m gonna get my mom to help me!
Other than that, I finished up a yarn I started ages ago. It’s targhee that I got from Hungry for Handspun. Colorway is Mahogany. I love the color, hated to spin it. Targhee and I are NOT friends. There was nothing wrong with the fiber itself, I just could NOT spin it properly. It did come out as a nice squishy springy yarn though. And I noticed it was easier to spin if I pulled it into thin strips. I may try to spin it again, but not any time soon!
The first bobbin I spun rather thin, and by the time I got to the second bobbin I forgot what I’d done, so I spun it thick and thin. I ended up with one 2 ply skein of around 200 yards, and a chain plied skein of the leftovers, around 100 yards. 
I am gonna put it up on etsy probably. Just not sure whether to sell them together or separately! I also retook the picture for my bumps and bruises yarn, and I’m going to relist it on etsy.
I also should show off, the first shipment of my Mean Girls Yarn Club. Isn’t it purty??? Oh I love it. The colors are off a bit, but you get the idea. It’s super soft, and I can’t wait to knit it up!!!
I am still knitting all the same stuff, so no update. Will be sure to post a photo when I finish something.
It’s been busy here. I don’t feel like typing a lot, I’ve been sick too, so here’s the minimum info along with pics.
This yarn barf I pulled from the stash. It’s some Knitpicks merino silk bare that I dyed with peach wiltons ages ago.
It’s being turned into a pair of sunshines. I was further but had to rip and drop a few sizes…
Got some TLE yarn. DIC Starry in Wisterious by my sister’s request for knee socks:
and some Plum Paisley for me. They are both gorgeous.
A Namaste bag I bought from a fellow plurker/raveler for a good deal. I love the color.
I might need to sell the bag, money trouble, so if you might be interested let me know, I’ll give first dibs to whoever comments they would be interested.
The yarn I spun for the current Ply By Night kal/sal. It will become a lace ribbon scarf.
And my Nebula sock, I’m on the heel flap now.
My Ooga Booga Snert Monster piddly bag I got. Isn’t it cute? I’ve wanted some of this fabric FOREVER. Thanks bunches to Jen for finding it for me and making my week so much better. 
I also got this drawstring baggie from her, it’s a really good size! Perfect for my lace projects. I don’t like to put those in zippered bags in case they snag.
This is 8 ounces of superwash bfl from CJKopec for the monthly SAL. I adore these colors and especially sw bfl.
I also got my mean girls yarn club but no pics till after everyone has gotten theirs. It’s absolutely amaaaaazing though!
My kids were watching Dora the Explorer. I really am NOT a fan of it, but they like it so I do put up with it. She was singing a song about “turning the wheel, turning the wheel, turning the WHEEL!!!” and so, I at the time was knitting, and all I could hear was “turning the heel”. Lol.
So I have a few things.
One would be the DIC Smooshy in Pansy Golightly I received in a trade.
Trust me, it’s prettier IRL. Much more subtle.
I finished my Leyburn socks!
The color is a bit off…but that’s my third pair this month! I’m pretty proud of myself. 
I also started a shetland triangle shawl, finally. EVERYONE has knit this shawl and I love it. I got the Wrap Style book from the library, and got to it. It’s super simple. I’m going to add beads to the edging.
Right now I’ve got the 8 repeats done that it calls for, for the body. But, I don’t think it’s quite big enough. Stretching it out from the center and measuring down the middle gets me 17 to 18 inches, but that’s REALLY pulling on it. A lot. So I’m thinking two more repeats should make it just right. Then on to the border! That should be done in a few days, I’m taking my time on it, but it REALLY goes fast.
Other than that, not much else goin on. The patterns for the sock innovation KAL, for next month, got posted today. That’s why I knit the kai mei and pomatomus socks this month. I was HOPING for nebula and it’s one of the patterns! The book pattern is sunshine. I’m going to start with nebula and if I get time I’ll do the other. I’m thinking I’ll use my DIC smooshy in lunar zazzle that I just got for nebula. It’s a good yarn to show off the pattern. Not too dark or variegated. And good definition.
I’m still working on the shurtugal, but I’ve lost steam. I like the look of it, but I really don’t enjoy knitting it. I’m only halfway down the leg of the first sock, so I might rip it. Undecided right now. I’m also knitting my loopy swap pal’s item. I am really enjoying it but taking my time since I’m waiting on a few things I ordered to get here for her package!
Well, that’s it for now.
Well it’s been a busy time here, want to know what I’ve been up to?
Got some yarns in the mail.
DIC Smooshy in Lunar Zazzle from The Loopy Ewe:
I have another smooshy skein coming from someone on Rav, I traded for it.
My STR May RSC Shipment came, the color is called Pepe Le Plume:
And a skein of Malabrigo Sock in Solis that I bought from someone on Ravelry. It’s gorgeous!
I finished a sock, and am almost done with the second, here’s my first Kai-Mei!
I went to Mass Sheep and Wool on Sunday where I met up with Melissa, and a few of her new knitting friends (meaning she has converted them muahahah)
We saw some REALLY cute animals, angora bunnies:
Sheep of all shapes, sizes, and colors:
And these awesome dogs (Border Collies) who were in competition, herding the sheep. Harder than it looks!
I came home with some AWESOME stuff. This roving which is merino and sparkle called Sidetracked. I was very distressed to find NO NAME on the label, I have no idea who I bought this from!!! If you recognize it, let me know!
Some yarn from Spunky Eclectic in Blush:
And this, my new pride and joy. It’s a gorgeous sterling silver shawl pin from Leslie Wind:
It’s one of her tabbed shawl pins, if you are looking on the site. It’s very small which I like, and no stick needed to keep it on the shawl. Here’s a picture of the back so you can see what I mean. You slide the top bit in, then bunch up the shawl fabric a little, and slide the bottom prong upward. The tension of the fabric keeps it in very well.
Want a demo? Here’s the best part, Melissa filmed a little video of Leslie and I using the pin on my Maplewing shawl, and for that, Leslie GIFTED me the pin. I was blown away! Here’s the video!
So we had a blast there, it was lots of fun hanging out and shopping. Can’t wait for Rhinebeck in the fall now!
In other news, I finally borrowed the Wrap Style book from the library so I can knit a Shetland Triangle. I’m doing it in white Zephyr laceweight, and will be adding beads to the edge. It’s a really fun and simple pattern!
Well that’s it for now, gotta go make lunch for me and the kids.
So what do you call two Pomatomus socks, besides finished?
So here they are. The color is close, but a little off, I had to take it without flash and then adjust the levels to get it right. Taking it with flash was just not working.
Wow I have a LOT of pictures. When I get ready to write a post I upload all the pics for the post first. It gets it out of the way, and then I know what to write, not forgetting anything, etc.
Anyway, the other day after I posted, or maybe the next day, I got THIS beauty in the mail. Tempted Handpainted Good Grrl in Bruisenberry. What’s the best part? It’s a skein I won for naming it! Well I submitted my name and it was picked, so I got a free skein of the colorway! I adore the colors in it. I named it bruisenberry mostly because it looks like a blueberry or boysenberry but also, like a half healed bruise. At least, mine look pretty close to those colors lol. So yay! I have not tried this yarn yet either, and I can tell you right now, I can NOT wait to knit it. It’s soooo soft and squishy. I’m gonna end up buying more for sure!
I also got this fiber in the mail. It’s for the Allspunup may/june spinalong. I really wish I had gotten a double dose of this one, it’s so gorgeous! 
I also got a new spindle. I had it custom made from the etsy seller Autumn Hollow Farm on etsy. I wanted a lightweight spindle for spinning lace, but also something pretty. It’s curly maple wood and it has an azurite inlay. It’s beautiful! Very well made also, though I’m having trouble spinning on it. Not sure why, I’m pretty good with my other spindle. I just can’t seem to get this one to spin for more than five seconds at a time…
Lastly I celebrated my pair of socks finished with casting on a new pair. That and I also might really like magic loop. This is Shur’tugal. It’s super easy to remember the repeats, and fun to do. The yarn is STR Lightweight in Firebird. It’s more red, and less pink than this, but oh well. 
I am 2 inches from the heel on my first Kai-Mei. Can’t wait to get to the foot and the fun panel that is on it!
Magic loop that is.
I have a new found love of magic loop for socks. I’m not that far into a sock yet but I can totally see how people like it.
I got my knitpicks needles in the mail that I ordered just to try magic loop. I bought the 32 inch length and got sizes 0, 1, and 1.5. Those are the sizes I use most for socks. I figured if I liked it, I would have the sizes I need, and if not, they should be easy enough to resell. And at 5 bucks each? A steal. So, I could have cast on the other Leyburn or Pomatomus, but since I knit those on dpns I thought that my gauge might very well change if I tried to knit them on a circular. So instead I cast on for the Kai-Mei sock. It’s simple 3×3 ribbing all the way down the leg, so it’s perfect for learning I think. I’m casting on the other pomatomus today though, because ribbing gets boring.
Anyway, I love how you can try it on easier than dpns and there are no ladders to mess up the knitting! I also don’t have to worry about losing a needle, the circular is one piece, and pretty hard to lose. No dropping stitches…what’s not to love?
Saturday we had an anniversary party. Chad and I have been married for 5 years now, and it’s the first year we’ve been with my family to celebrate. My mom and sister got a cake, make snacks, and got balloons and decorations. My grandparents drove an hour or so to come down, my aunt who I haven’t seen in years came. My brother came minus the wife, poor thing was really sick, so it was just him. And my mom and her husband were here. It was a full house but we had a nice time talking, eating, and hanging out.
Sunday was our actual anniversary. We took the day to do whatever we felt like. The first stop on MY list was to go to Trumpet Hill. I was hoping they would have some Malabrigo Sock still, but they were out. I ended up getting a few things anyway.
This is Poems Sock. It’s a soft single ply yarn, I wouldn’t use for socks personally. But lace, heck yes!
Check out the neat colors in there. And the sheen is really nice!
Some Knit One Crochet Too TY-DY Sock yarn. It’s really soft and I love the fushia/purple/blue/brown colorway.
Another skein of Cascade Heritage Handpainted Sock yarn. I got the last skein at BeauKnits, but I saw this color and loved it. It’s darker in person but there are some pretty colors in it.
And these two little skeins of Artyarns Ultramerino 4 were half off, so I snatched them up to make something. Either fair isle mitts, or maybe mittens or a hat for each of the kids…
So that was my splurge for the day. After the yarn shop we went to Red Robin to eat lunch. Our first choice was Olive Garden but there was NO parking it was so busy. Most of the restaurants were, since it was Mother’s day also. Lunch was served really fast even though they were busy, and I was happy because their freckled lemonade is awesome! Then we decided to go bowling! It was a lot of fun, the alley was empty so we got in no problem. I beat chad at the first two games, but then he was warmed up and completely smoked me at the third. I love bowling but man, my hand and arm are still sore! After that we headed to the mall to do some shopping. Normally I avoid the mall but it’s nice to go and walk around sometimes. And it wasn’t too busy either luckily. I got my powder from the new Bare Escentuals store they opened up, and Chad got some clothes. We went to Target last. We had promised the kids a surprise if they were good all day for my sister, and she told me they had been, so we went to pick out something small. As we’re walking to the toy section, we ran right into the kids and my sister and her husband! Go figure lol. So they were on the way out (they had to go to price chopper too) and we went and got the kid’s stuff and went home.
So it was a good day. We did what we wanted, had fun, spent time together. I can’t believe it’s been 5 whole years already.
Oh oh forgot to get a picture of my present, Chad bought me a pair of diamond hoop earrings, and a pedi/mani gift certificate. I’m so spoiled!
Yesterday Chad had off also, so we spent the day cleaning out some things. Now that we know we’re staying in this house instead of moving, we can settle in. There are lots of things that we didn’t unpack or left in weird spots with the assumption that we’d just be moving soon anyway. While cleaning Chad found Nick’s jacket he wore to the store on Sunday. When he picked it up he found a toy in the pocket, a toy still in packaging. Turns out Meg had told Nick to put it back and instead he’d stuck it in his pocket when she wasn’t looking. So we had to take him back to the store and give it back. He got a very stern talking too about why it’s wrong and I could tell he knew what he’d done, and that it was wrong. Anyway, Chad took him back and the lady at the customer service counter had the nerve to tell him not to worry about it! She was like Oh he can just keep it. UM NO. Obviously we were teaching him a lesson on why you can’t just take things. And would she say that to someone NOT 4 years old? Some people. Chad let her know that NO he couldn’t keep it and we were giving it back.
So it’s been busy. Today the baby is here, and the kids are already going nuts. I’m hoping it will warm up and I can open some windows. Other than that, I’m going to work on some socks, maybe some spinning, and try to relax after the crazy weekend!
So I do have a pair of socks to show. I finished the Leyburn, and cast on and finished a Pomatomus. So, I have one of each!
(Interesting how my camera focused on the further away bit…)
In other news, go check this out. Just do it. NOW.
Won’t be another post for a bit. It’s my 5th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday. We’re taking the day to go do whatever we want! (Will probably include knitting.)
Adios!
So I started over on my Leyburn socks. I messed up on counting for the leg last time and put it away, not able to continue at that point in time. Two days ago I dug it out and ripped out. By the end of the day I had an entire foot and heel done. This pattern knits up SO fast. It’s on size 2 needles, which I wish I hadn’t used. I like my socks knit at a tighter gauge. It’s not that it’s too loose though, so I can live with it for now. Also I substituted my own heel, which is sort of a toe up heel flap but really weird. I don’t think I like it. It feels odd on my foot. I think from now on I’ll probably stick to top down socks. They just fit me better. That said, I love this pattern because it’s super easy, and really shows off the yarn.
The leg has been slower going this weekend, I haven’t had as much knitting time. I’m hoping maybe to finish it tonight though! I want to finish this pair and try and get the pomatomus and kai-mei socks done this month also. I’ve never knit three pairs of socks in a month, think I can do it? I think so. They are all relatively simple patterns. We’ll see how it goes. I’m also doing a few rows every night before bed of my autumn arbor stole. Ok well I’ll be back when I have a finished pair of socks to show!