Portland Yarn Crawl

This past Saturday was wonderful! We started off very early in the morning by getting on the bus. With the help of the bus driver, we found our stop and walked along to the King Street Station in downtown Seattle where we arrived just as the organizer was picking up the tickets from the ticket counter. We checked in with her and Katie gave us some yarn for the KAL and a name badge so that we could all get our discounts while in Portland! The excitement was at one of many peaks for the day and every one stood or sat around the station talking. Many of us were meeting new friends, but there were also many who were talking with people they had known for some time. We all boarded the train together. I rode in the car that had a few non-knitters. During the trip down, I met Alyson, Jen, Tina, and 1 other knitter from the north end who I can’t seem to find. It was a relatively quiet ride down.
During the ride, both K & I worked on our KAL hats. The pattern, Charisa’s Lifestyle Hat pattern, was wonderful! I didn’t measure my knitting very well, so it doesn’t fit like I expected, but I will try this one again when I’m looking for anther hat pattern. I had only the ribbing left to finish when we disembarked the train.
In the station, we met many Portland knitters including Joan and Tracy. K & I spent most of the day walking around Portland with these 2 Oregonians. They knew the city well and so we never worried about exactly where we were. It was wonderful! We talked and had a wonderful time roaming the streets of Portland.
To begin with, we followed Charisa down to Knit Knot Studio where a couple of people in our group found the new Addi Click needles sets. When they found that they were not excluded from the 20% off, several ladies purchased them, including K. Then, we continued toward Knit Purl, stopping at Powell's Bookstore and Whole Foods. Both were wonderful. We didn’t find anything we needed at Powell's, but did buy some nuts and dried fruit for the trip home. Knit Purl had a beautiful selection of yarns, but I didn’t find much that was worth the price to me. I had already made a somewhat large purchase at Knit Knot, so I just bought 1 skein at Knit Purl. (There will be more on the stash acquisitions tomorrow.)
For lunch, we stopped at the Deschutes Brewery and Public House. Their burgers were great and well priced, too. After lunch we headed up toward Dublin Bay. Here, there were many from our group sitting near the fire, knitting and enjoying one another’s company. I did a little looking around the store, but then sat down. When most of the others were getting up to leave, I went with 3 others from the Sequim area. We went to the Little Green Grocer that was just around the corner for a sandwich to take on the train, and then continued on to meet up with everyone for the trip back. K had decided to go back to Knit Knot, so she met us at the station.
While we were waiting to board the train, one of our knitters decided to wind her large, lace weight yarn into a ball. Not having a swift or ball winder handy, she used a friend! This is just so typical of us knitters. We're always ready to lend a helping hand.
Back on board the train, we had 2 cars to ourselves, this time, so the noise was more than before. We all settled in and started the trek back north. Around 7:30, about a third of the way into the trip, everyone put their purchases out on their seats and then went to look at what everyone else had bought. It was fun to see and talk to others about it all. After returning to my seat, I finished the KAL hat and began to work on my sock project that I brought with me.
We arrived back at the station a little early. The husband of my friend, K, didn’t want us to have to stand in the cold so he had driven us to the Park & Ride that morning. So, we called to see how close he was to picking us up. He was still at home, as he thought the train came in an hour later. He left immediately and picked us up about 25 minutes later. It started snowing while we were in Portland and continued. Fortunately, it was not sticking to the road and we arrived home safely.

Continuing Onward!

I have been making progress on my two sweaters! On Yosemite, I have finished the increases and have about 3 inches to go before starting the armhole bind offs. Cascade's Sierra makes a wonderful fabric and looks great in the heavily cabled stitch pattern. I also expect this sweater to hold its shape quite well as the cables draw the fabric up very nicely. On my Bohus Cardigan, I am also finding that progress just kind of “happens.” I have finished the sleeves and put them both on the needle with the main body. I have knit about 4 rows and need around 6-7 before starting the yoke decreases. Then, I get to start the color work. That’s the part I am really looking forward to doing. I received the third color of yarn in the mail yesterday. It’s a deeper shade than I thought that I was ordering, but it looks better with the other colors than I would have ever imagined!

While at work, yesterday, I received a call from my husband. He often calls late in the work day to ask what I have planned for dinner, so I was a little surprised that he was calling about a box that had arrived via UPS while he was gone. The box had been almost completely smashed on its way from Massachusetts to me! He first asked, “Did you order anything breakable?” I thought, “Oh, NO!” but then asked him from where the box was coming. When he replied, “Webs,” I laughed a little. He, of course did not immediately understand, so I explained that it was yarn and not to be worried. He used to work for a UPS store and said that he has rarely seen a box more abused by the shipper than this one. I thought he was over reacting, but later I saw it as I came through the front door. One side had been smashed almost completely to the other side. I sure am glad it was “only yarn” instead of a crystal vase! I am also happy that Webs had left the yarn wrapped in plastic before boxing it up.

Still No FO

I'm dying, here...I really want to get this shawl (the Flower Motif) done so that I can move on, but its just taking forever! With time to knit tonight, it will get done. :) While I was at the Village Yarn & Tea last Saturday, I found some beautiful Silky Wool from Elsebeth Lavold. Of he color that I liked best, a bright turquoise, there were still 8 skeins in the same dye lot. I had a project in mind, a sweater, but when I looked at my book on Saturday night, I realized that I miscalculated how much I would need. 8 would not be enough, but I needed more like 12-13. So, on Sunday, I made a quick trip back, arriving just 5 minutes before closing. I knew that they had more in the color Charcoal, which is almost black. Fortunately, they did still have 13 even though it is on clearance. I still have too much to get done to cast on for another sweater, now, but I sure want to! If the whole truth be told, I actually want to cast for about 5 sweaters and almost as many socks! Ravelry, where I found the patterns, could be the death of me.

Loopy Purchase

Since the supplies list went up on the Sock Madness site, I used my fingers to do some shopping. I only ordered on Tuesday, and the box was waiting at my front door when I arrived home from work! I ordered about half of the yarn that I'll need from The Loopy Ewe. As always, I am very pleased with my purchase and am now even more excited for Sock Madness to begin! :)
I ordered Colinette Jitterbug in Summer Berries, Claudia Handpainted in Sharks, and Cherry Tree Hill in Green Mountain Madness. The yarns feel wonderful and look so great.

A Knittin' Weekend

I used most of my weekend to knit! On Friday night, I finished the first River Valley Sock. When I arrived home from dinner at my in laws, there was another package waiting for me. This time it was from the No Sheep Swap. My pal sent a box of yummy raspberry tea (one of my favorites and I was out of it!) and a skein a of Phoenix Soy Silk. Since, I finished the sock, I cast on for a hat with the new skein. I made Odessa from Magknits.com. I finished this project on Saturday and then cast on for the second River Valley Sock. I almost finished turning the toe. Upon checking the mail, on Saturday, there was another package! This time it was yarn that I had ordered from Sarah's Yarns, teal 100% Bamboo! I quickly set about to find a pattern. I settled on Green Tea Raglan from Interweave Knits, Spring 2007. I finished the first sleeve and started the front! Like I said, I really had time to knit this weekend. It was so fun, probably because I didn't do any housework, either. Of course the house doesn't clean its self, but my husband was working on it off and on during the day on Saturday. What a sweetheart!

On Saturday, I met with a friend for tea and crochet lessons at Village Yarn and Tea. (She asked me to continue teaching her where another friend of hers left off.) While we were getting started, another customer was watching us and my friend C invited her to join us. She, too, is new to crocheting, so I ended up helping them both. It was fun and I enjoyed getting to know another needle artist along the way. We set up time to do the same thing, next Saturday, and L (the new knitter/crocheter friend) was invited to join us, too. Surprisingly enough, I did get about 1/4 of the hat done and all of the River Valley Socks knitting during this teaching session. Neither needed as much help as they thought that they did, so it was easy to get some knitting done while talking and helping. I usually have a project with me to work on when I am teaching (I've only ever taught 2 people at a time, never more than that!) so that I don't feel like I'm hovering/watching every stitch. When I've been the one learning, I've always found it easier if I'm shown and technique, left to practice, but still knowing that the teacher is nearby to answer questions when they arise. Most times, this has worked well for both me and the person I'm teaching.

Saturday Yarn Tour

Saturday was the day that my friend C & I set aside for the Local Yarn Store Tour. Since she was not picking me up until 11AM, I started to work on another pair of fingerless mitts. I have the first one about an half hour away from being done! I'm knitting them with a skein of the burgundy alpaca from my stash. I'm reworking a pattern from Vintage Socks so that I can use the lace pattern. Its coming out beautifully.

For the LYS Tour, we started at Great Yarns in Everett. No purchases for this store, although there was, of course much to tempt us! Next, we headed over to Let It Rain Yarn. I think this was our favorite for the day. It was so cozy and inviting to just sit, knit and talk with a friend. We both bought a skein of yarn to knit the free pattern. I have also been looking for a longer needle to put my CWS on, and they had the right size in a 47" Addi Turbo Lace Needle, so of course, I bought that, too! They are a small shop in a brand new building, but we have already decided that we'll have to go back for one of their Wednesday night drop in knitting sessions. The 20% off coupon for later this summer, will certainly be used!

Next, we drove into Seattle, stopping first at Fiber Gallery. This store had an amazing selection of yarn. If I hadn't been on such a tight budget, I could have purchased a ton of yarn, here! I did find 2 skeins of yarn in the perfect color to send my Secret Pal. I loved their free pattern, as well, but it will be added to the stack of patterns until I find the perfect reason to knit it. We walked across the street to a market/deli to buy lunch and then continued on toward the University District. On our way we stopped at a store that was not part of the tour, Acorn Street Yarns. This is a small shop, but with nearly floor to ceiling yarn, they had plenty to choose from. They have the largest selection of knitting needles that I've ever seen!! Going on to the next store, we headed for Weaving Works. We found parking easily, next to the store, which was wonderful and unexpected. This was another store with a great selection. I really liked the way the store was arranged. They had almost an entire wall, divided in 2, with wool yarns that would felt. It was divided to make it easy to see which yarns were worsted weight and which were bulkier. Once I have my partner information for the ITEIV, I may go back to find yarn for the tote, assuming my partner would like a felted bag! I did find a skein of sock yarn in dark colors with some black, purple, rose and green. That was my splurge for the day.

Finally, we drove to the 2 stores that we most frequently go to, Main Street Yarns and Village Yarn and Tea. At Main Street, we had our passports stamped picked up the free pattern and looked through their clearance shelf. I found some beautifully hand painted needles for my SIL's birthday gift. (These are the ones that are painted by women in Eastern Europe. I don't remember the country or the brand name.) At Village Yarn, we loved the free pattern, but the yarn they had available for it was not quite what I wanted to use to knit it, so no purchases for me, but C found some great clearance Eco-Wool. (I had a difficult time passing that up, at $13 per
skein for almost 500 yards!) The day was absolutely wonderful!

In sock knitting news, I worked on the second May Day Sock, almost finishing one pattern repeat for the leg, while riding in the car between stores.

Next Sock

I started the second May Day Sock, last night. The ribbing is finished and I've begun the chart for the leg. I get so many positive comments from knitters on the color/pattern/yarn combination. It makes me so happy to hear that others like it, too! (This is probably, especially because they are a gift for my Sockapalooza exchange partner, whom I've never met!)

In other sock news, I did frog the Leaf Lace Sock. I will probably hold the yarn to use in the next Sockamania pattern, assuming that it will work better than with this pattern. I could use a larger needle, but don't really need to start another project right now. (I didn't need to when I cast on, but I'm taking it as the voice of reason, this time, and waiting.)

I, also, retrieved the CWS from my pile of WIPs/UFOs. I finished 1 and a half rows. I'm going to try and get another 2 rows done tonight, but only time will tell if I really can stick to it! The group begins the edging on June 1st and I would love to have it caught up so that I can start it with them.

Last weekend, my friend C and I poured over the information for the Local Yarn Store Tour that we received from the ladies at NW Handspun. We looked at the addresses and the map to figure out where we'll go and to how many stores. It looks like we'll visit only about 5-6 from Everett to Seattle. We're not going to go to Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, or south of Queen Anne Hill. Its just too far for the 6 hours that we are going to get. I am really looking forward to it. To top off the day, my dh has volunteered to have dinner and a movie waiting at home when I arrive. He really is great!

Knitting & Camping

The Curvalicious Cardigan is finished (see picture at left)! I managed to get it all done in time for our camping trip. It was the perfect weight for the somewhat overcast, warm weather we had over the weekend. I rarely took it off, and yet didn't really need another coat, either. (Since we were renting a 1 room cabin at the KOA and our friends had their trailer, we were indoors or sitting around the campfire whenever it was cool enough to need something heavier.)
On the one and a quarter hour drive to the campground, I worked on Snowmen and Skates. After unloading the car into the cabin, I continued to work on it...until I ran out of cream yarn! I'll need to go over to Village Yarn and Tea, to buy another skein. At this point, I switched over to Green Gable. Finishing the skein I was on, and barely starting the next/last one, I tired of the stockinette stitch in the round and moved on to the Luna Moth. This one, I kept working on until Saturday afternoon, when I purchased yarn to start the Leaf Lace Socks from Fiber Trends.

On Saturday morning, our group met to make breakfast. After the cleanup, the kids and guys rented some bikes from the KOA office. They rode around for a while and even let us (my friend C and I) have a turn. They were fun, but made us all use muscles we're not used to! Around noon, we made lunches and took the 20 minute drive to Lake Padden. The kids were happy to run and play on the playground while we took in the beautiful scenery. After eating, we packed the stuff back up to the car, and then walked around the lake. Its about 2.5 miles. The day was so gorgeous and the sun came out just enough to burn the tops of my shoulders around the back of my neck just a little.

After our walk, C & I took the kids and dogs and the guys went for a game of golf. While they were golfing, we went in search of a yarn store. We found NW Handspun in downtown Bellingham. They had a 20% all yarn sale going on for Mother's Day weekend. Who could withstand that temptation! So, I purchased a ball of Louet Gems in a medium purple and the Fiber Trends Leaf Lace Socks pattern. I started immediately, as I was not driving. We also visited Michaels in search of items to make stitch markers. We found some great charms on sale.

At this point we met the guys at the golf course to pick up the keys to the trailer. They offered to take the kids, so we had about 2 hours to sit outside and knit away. By the time I went to bed last night, I had the first sock about 75% done! It looks great, but the yarn is a little heavier than I realized, so they'll be very warm socks, that I'm sure I'll love to wear.

New Socks

As I finished 2 projects, yesterday, I decided it was time to cast on for another! I bought a skein of Fleece Artist Sock yarn in a solid golden wheat color at Village Yarn and Tea. I cast on before I left the store as I had about a half hour to knit with a friend. After I arrived at home, I continued to work on the sock. I did about 3 inches, when I realized that I had started with the wrong needle size (a US 1 instead of 2!) I am knitting these for my Sockapalooza partner, and the size was going to be way, way too small. So, I frogged it and began again. I managed to get the ribbing re-knitted and started on the charted pattern. Its looking good, but I'm trying to decide whether to rip it again, as I liked the denser fabric created by the smaller needle. There is a larger size in the pattern that I could easily knit from, so I would not have to recalculate the number of stitches, pattern repeats, etc.

As I was looking at my list of WIP on my blog, this morning, I was realizing that I really should try to finish up some of the those projects which are more than half done. Maybe that would be a good thing to do this weekend? I'll just have to see what I feel like working on...

More Snowmen & Skates

I worked on Snowmen & Skates some more, last night. I have started knitting the steeks. Its looking great, but I am glad that I'm making the smallest size. Its a ton of work and I tend to grow tired of a project before its done. This project is no exception, but I'm committed to this one. (It is easier to be committed on smaller project! LOL)
The Lacy Mock Cable socks are also getting there...I am working the gusset decreases on the second sock. Sockapalooza and Sockamania have both begun, so I want to get the socks done & start working with Anni's great, new pattern.
Tomorrow, I'm taking the day off from work to meet a friend for lunch and a trip to the Village Yarn and Tea. I'll probably spend the morning knitting or cleaning house. There is so much that could be done.

Back Home

We left home early Tuesday morning, following my parents up the mountain pass to Coeur D'Alene. As we drove, we hit snowfall at the summit! It was beautiful and was not sticking to the highway, so I loved it! Since dh was driving, I had the opportunity to look out the window, taking in the beautiful scenery.

Coming back down into the valley, the sun was out and it looked so warm. However, we stopped to view the Columbia River from a lookout, it was so windy that we felt like we might be blown down the hillside!

When we arrived at our condo, my mom and I took a few minutes to unpack the food we brought & then headed out to take the 25 minute trip back into Coeur D'Alene. We found the scrapbook store and spent about 45 minutes looking around. I found some great camping/ATV-ing papers and stickers. Afterward, we went looking for the yarn stores. We found 2, but they had already closed.

Most of Wednesday we spent scrapbooking. I finished my album for Christmas 2006, except for a little journalling that still needs to be done. Then, I went on to work on my camping pictures from last year. I was certainly glad to have the papers & stickers that I purchased the day before, as I forgot the notebook with all my outdoors-y stickers & embellishments in it! Although I didn't catch up on any of my knitting, I feel a great sense of accomplishment getting so much done on the scrapbooking.

We needed to be back home by Thursday evening, so my dh & I left around 11AM. He offered to stop at a yarn store, before going home! Isn't he great? I found 2 skeins of Sockotta sock yarn that I loved & we were back on the road. I, of course, immediately cast on! :)

As we drove, the sun was shining & it looked gorgeous, until we arrived back at Snoqualmie Pass. This time, it was raining pretty good!

By the time we arrived home I had about 3/4 of a sock finished in the Purple Mix colorway.

To top off this great trip, I went to the mail box, and what did I find? A great package from Mildred on my Stitch Marker Exchange! She sent some great, purple markers and a skein of sock yarn!

Vacation!!!

First, Green Gable news: I have finished the second sleeve and am about to begin the remainder of the body! I'm satisfied that I've completed this milestone.
Meanwhile, my dh & I have been invited, by my parents, to join them on vacation in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. I'm excitedly planning, now. Mom & I have been talking about what food and entertainment to take with us. I think I will scrapbook with her, while we're away. (We're only going for 3 days and 2 nights, but they are all mid-week, so I'll be off work!) I need to clean out my scrapbook bag, re-organizing it and removing anything that is finished or that I won't be working on while over there. It currently weighs about 80 pounds!
I'm also planning on taking Green Gable to knit on in the car, since dh will drive most of the way. Its about a 6 hour trip, so that equates to plenty of time to knit on it. Hopefully, I'll finish just before we arrive. This way, I won't feel guilty when we go scrapbooking & yarn store hopping and I buy a new project to start. I love to buy yarn at "new" stores. Its one of my favorite things to do while on vacation. I'm probably going to buy yarn that can be used for this month's Bag of the Month. I wasn't very excited about last month's bag, and I only joined at the end of February, so this would be my first project knit with the group. Its a beautiful slip stitch pattern that creates a nice felted bag. Add some lining and a sturdy bottom & its just about perfect!!

A Knitting Weekend

This weekend, I finished knitting the first Malabrigo glove and started on the second. Past that, I worked a little on my Civil War Shawl, Huskies sock & Green Gable. I didn't get much done on any one project. Then, on Saturday, I met a friend at Village Yarn and Tea (one of my favorite LYS and the closest to my house) for tea and knitting. I wanted to knit something small for an exchange that I am finishing, so I bought a skein of yarn at the store & knit the larger "Spiral Bag" from One Skein. I finished it that same day, but didn't have time for any other knitting. The bag came out great, but I forgot to take a picture before I mailed it. Silly me!

When I arrived home last night, I checked my mail, and what did I find, but the All Things Heather yarn that I ordered from The Loopy Ewe, only last Friday! The yarn is super soft and I am really looking forward to working with it. I just have to finish the socks that I've already started, as I need the needles! These socks will be my March socks for the Sock a Month KAL.
The color is "Huskies," and is for a pair of socks for my husband. I wanted them to be a surprise, but when he saw the color name, he asked if it was for his socks! Of course, I fibbed and said, "No." I'm still hoping that I can make them while not at home, so that he doesn't catch on in an even bigger way!

Great Mail!

I had a busy morning today. All the stuff I had planned were things that I really wanted to do, but there was just so much. First, I met my mom and swimming partner for 45 minutes of lap swimming. Then, I rushed to get showered so that I would only be 15 minutes late to the church musical practice. Afterward, I stayed after the practice for the women's fellowship time at church. I was so blessed to have a long conversation with my friend Julie. I finally arrived home about 2:00, pretty tired out. But, when I opened my mailbox, I saw the large envelope from The Knitting Guild Association. I ordered the pattern for the Civil War Shawl Knit Along. I was starting to open it, before I even had the door to my condo opened. However, before I did get to look through the magazine, I found a package on the counter from my upstream partner in the International Tote Exchange III. She sent coffee, chocolate and a large travel mug. Since my favorite one just broke, this could not have come at a better time!

Once I got over the excitement of such a fun package, I began to look through the back issue of Cast On that I had ordered. I was, then, a bit disappointed. I ordered the issue from 2002, instead of 2001. So, I am now in the process of ordering a pattern from the author (which is what I would have done in the first place, if I had finished reading the blog entry before ordering!) I also stopped by my LYS, Village Yarn & Tea, to see which lace weight yarns they carry. They had the Jaegerspun Zephyr, but wanted 16.95 (plus 9% tax) for 4 oz! I had already checked out the prices online and knew that I could get it online for around $35 (plus shipping, but no tax) per 16 oz. I know where I'll be buying it from, if I decide on that yarn. It is a beautiful yarn, and it probably is the one that I'll end up with, but I have to consider all my options. (Isn't that part of what its all about when you have almost a month to get the materials?) I am very much looking forward to beginning that project, but must get some others done first.

Another New Project

Last night, I went shopping for yarn for the Tote Exchange III. Getting to spend an hour in the store looking at everything and talking to the store keeper, was very relaxing and exciting at the same time.

I started a swatch. Since this will be felted, the swatch needs to be, too. And, I have some elements on the bag that will be cut from the felt, so the swatch is usable...I think that's great!! I hate wasting yarn to swatch felt.

A Day of Yarn Shopping

On Saturday my friend and I, along with her 6 year old daughter, took the day to go yarn store hopping. We visited a store in Tacoma, Fibers Etc. Wow, the owner had a ton of different yarns and was great help when asked about her stock. Unfortunately, we really didn't know what we wanted, so we left without any purchases, but the store sure was an adventure to shop in!

On our way back north (toward home) we stopped at Ikea for lunch, and then continued on to Main Street Yarns in Mill Creek. We liked this store, and wandered around for almost an hour, but still didn't find "just the right thing." I'm really not sure what we were looking for, but whatever it was sure didn't bite.

We finally ended up at Pacific Fabrics. Although their selection was much smaller than Fibers Etc., we each made a purchase. I decided to start knitting a spring sweater for my self from Big Girl Knits, Curvalicious Cardigan. I decided on these colors:

I found and loved the pink, Cascade 220. I tried looking for an espresso color that would work, but couldn't find anything I really liked, even with help! However, our time had slipped away. So, on Sunday, I went to the Village Yarn and Tea. They had Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in a dark brown. I loved it! I was so excited for a new project that I went home and finished the first inch before I went to bed, last night. I'm really loving the contrast in the colors and am excited to see it continue to take form.