Round Tuit's

The month of January is always busy...every year. I use to wonder why that was. Then I realized it's because I put things off starting in late November until after the new year. I am happily immersed in holiday happenings and do not want to be bothered with mundane issues like doctor appointments, phone calls, insurance, etc. Then in January - I get "round tuit"



and become a functioning adult again. It is nice to be able to mark off the "to-do" list instead of add to it.

One of my "round tuit's" was to decide on a pattern for this yarn

that I mentioned in October. After looking through a few patterns that this yarn would work for, I decided on Slinky Ribs Pullover. And I have enough in my stash to do it in my size without cheating on my yarn diet! Funny thing - I knitted the sample for Knit Picks (seen in the link) and it's the same yarn and color that I have stashed. Seems like destiny to me.

Confessions of a yarn-addict

My resolution to keep knitting from yarn stash was broken last night. I couldn't help it...it was love at first sight. These cuties are a kit from Knit Picks


And the kit includes yarn for each fox.

Dang...tempted by big brown eyes, red hair, and the promise of a cuddle (haha)

Oh well. I mustn't let one slip up discourage me from this yarn diet but I really have to stop looking at every yarn catalog that shows up!

Yarn diet

When we packed our household stuff for the move last year, it hit me...where did all that yarn come from? Well, I know the answer but had not realized how out of control it had become.

During the pack up, I donated skeins that I couldn't remember why I got them, or if it was one of those "what was I thinking" skeins. And the remainder moved to Oklahoma with us.

During the un-packing, I attempted to organize my new workspace...and realized it was still more yarn then I'll ever use. And I donated more.

I kept that which I knew I would use. Then I put myself on a yarn diet. A serious yarn diet...with 1 exception - yarn that would be needed to finish the last book.

I'm proud to announce that almost a year later, I've stuck to my diet.


The yarn stash is starting to look manageable. I still have a bit to go before I will ease up on my diet.

I say "ease up" because I know I will always have yarn stashed. But it needs to be in my studio space only - not here AND in the garage!

Now...start watching for designs and projects that I've done just from the stash!

P.S. It's still raining. So no work in the east-side patio area to show. However, my Mother is working on rose bushes for me. She is so talented with taking cuttings and rooting them for new bushes. I'm looking forward to visiting her next month and learning how to do that! ;)

Yarn sale

JoAnn is having a 30% off yarn sale with free shipping (over $25). So I thought I would spend a few minutes browsing. Each time I click on a yarn, I get an error.



Hey yarn-aholics! Save something for me!!

Did you get one?

Opal Harry Potter sock yarn? I managed to catch the email from Allison at Simply Socks Yarn Co early enough to score a skein of color 2355-Harry. I know, I know...what's the big deal. But knitter's who are addicted to Harry Potter and knitting socks understand.

I wanted to buy more, but (confession) the release of the yarn came on the heels (pun intended) of unpacking sock yarn and swearing I wouldn't buy another skein until knitting what I have. Silly me. ;-P

A month after closing on the house and we're still settling in. With most of the unpacking completed, we're doing the mundane things...like registering cars, new drivers license, bank accounts, doctors, etc. I had forgotten how time consuming this kind of stuff can be.

Pictures? Oh yeah...where did I put that cable and the camera?

Knitting content

I found the camera! It was hiding out where I couldn't find it - right beside the computer. Sneaky!

Last week I blogged about inspiration, swatching, designing a new project. This is the progress as of a week ago...



A week later...

Some progress is better then none, eh?

Do you remember my post about buying yarn for the move? Well, I finally got my hands on the box earlier this week. The post office evidently decided to hold my box from Knit Picks hostage until I rescued it. They didn't bother to send a ransom note though. I had to call to find it. Makes me wonder if someone at the local station knits and knows just what goodies a Knit Picks box can hold.


Only a 4 days left before packers and movers arrive. Oh joy! Three fun filled days of watching our possessions being disassembled, wrapped, boxed, and carted away.

Kureyon sock yarn sighting

I wasn't fast enough to find Noro Kureyon sock yarn in stock when it was released. But it's in stock once again at Simply Socks Yarn Company and this time I got there before it sold out!! Yippee! That's the good news. The bad news? I'm suppose to be on a sock yarn diet...so I ordered only two skeins. Moderation, ya know? hehe

Loom Knitter's Circle Magazine Spring Issue....

....is live! Check it out.

And don't forget to use the advertiser's links while you're there. It lets the advertiser know how many people see their ad in LKC.

Psssst....If you are a Knit Picks customer, they're advertising with LKC!

Always knitting

It's fun to see something you've knitted on someone else's website. I was particular proud of the "At the Lake Cardigan" I did for Knit Picks. The yarn is so soft that daughter has requested a sweater knitted with it. And the pattern is a quick knit.

Here is a photo I took before sending it off.


So see? I am always knitting something. I just cannot always post about it.

Hand painted yarn

One of my summer goals is to give hand painting yarn a whirl. And Scout's appearance on Knitty Gritty has encouraged me.

I've given hubby a new "honey do" to make it easier. It may take a couple of weeks for him to get time but that's OK....I'll wait. In the meanwhile, I'll knit socks with my new Tofusies



(the colors are great but the picture is terrible!) and play with beads.

Knitting the week away

This past week flew by as I knitted this project for Knit Picks....



....taught two classes, felted a couple of projects (no pictures yet), and got my yarn order from Herrschners. I couldn't help it. They had Debbie Bliss cotton cashmere at a price that made knitting a sweater with it affordable.



And since I'm paying for shipping anyway, I had to order something else.



Never too early to think of Christmas.

Blog gets a new look and Works in progress

Blog got a new look. If anything is missing, let me know!

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I've been very busy with deadlines, classes, and laundry and have finished nothing! but never too busy for socks. Here is a picture of some of my "works in progress"....



A pair of slippers that need to be felted, a pair of magic stripes socks on circulars that are at the heel flap stage, and a toe-up sock on the sock loom I got for Christmas that is still in the toe stage (first project on this loom!) .

The Tofusies yarn arrived last week but I couldn't start socks with them yet (so of course, I bought more magic stripes)... Would you believe I cannot find my size 1 circular needles!? No idea where they went to. I finally gave up the search and have ordered two new Addi Turbo size 1 (which are in the mail to me now). Just what I need....another "work in progress" project hehe

I really wish I could find a honest, to goodness yarn shop within a 30 mile radius! Not a Michaels (yeah, yeah....I teach there but they do not carry Addi's nor sock yarn)....not a fabric store....but a REAL yarn shop. I have heard the rumour that there is one in Canyon Country, which is a short driving distance, but have not been able to find more info on exactly where it is. If anyone knows, please tell me.

P.S. Did you catch Lost last night?

Recycling yarn

I popped into one of the local thrift stores today and got lucky! I found 4 sweaters to take apart for yarn recycling. Finding anything locally worth the time and effort to recycle is rare. Today's finds included an XL sweater made of 100% lambswool (which I misspelled when putting together the photo oh well).



Also found a cashmere sweater. I've never tried to recycle cashmere but I know it can be done. This is going to be fun!! ;-D

Not much knitting....

....and way too much "got to do" stuff like doctor appointments, running errands, laundry....etc.

I did decide on "new" sock yarn to try! I found Tofusies yarn to order!





Nice colors, eh?

There were so many suggestions of yarn to buy (some I haven't tried yet!) I really need more time to knit.

What's your favorite sock yarn

I'm still here! I'm working on classes for February and trying to organize the studio with bins that I purchased for my yarn stash.

I did manage to cast on socks and am knitting in the evening. I'm having to use wool - not sure I'll like 100% wool socks but I'm pretty much out of sock yarn! Strange but true. And since there isn't a great selection for speciality yarns in this area (close by), I'll be buying online.

This opens up a whole new question...what's your favorite sock yarn? And why? And where are you finding it? Either post here or email me. Thanks! ;-D