I Finished My Scarf

As you might remember, I was taking part in a scarf exchange on Ravelry.   I completed the scarf and mailed out the package yesterday.  I do hope my exchange partner likes everything!  I'm not going to post a picture of the scarf until after she receives it, just in case she happens to visit my blog and sees it.  I don't want to ruin the surprise for her.

I'm not totally satisfied with the blocking as I've not really done any blocking in the past.  I probably shouldn't have chosen a pattern that needed to be blocked until after I had more experience with blocking; however, I did offer to knit her something else if she isn't satisfied with it.

Last month, I got my orders from Knit Picks and The Loopy Ewe (links to their shops on my left sidebar).  The photo to the right shows the yarn from Knit Picks, and includes: 2 Wondermint Chroma Worsted (back right corner), 2 Peapod Stroll (the green), 2 Dandelion Stroll (yellow), 2 Eggplant Palette (dark purple), 2 Cream Palette (in back of the dark purple), 1 Lignonberry Heather Palette and 1 Oyster Heather Palette (both in front and being used to knit my current project).
The photo to the left is part of my order from The Loopy Ewe.  I bought two Cascade 220 in purple hyacinth, and one Alchemy Yarns of Transformation - Juniper Colorways in sugar mountain.  I also ordered  two Cascade Superwash Sport in Christmas green and gifted them to my BFF.

I also ordered a few other things with the yarn, but didn't put them in the pictures.  I got some tapestry needles, since I couldn't find my other ones, some Harmony DPNs (unfortunately I ordered the 5 inch needles and they are a little small for my current project, but I'm making due.  I think I'll have to order them in a bigger size next time as I am enjoying using this needle.), a magnetic chart keeper, and something for my scarf exchange pal (which I'll refrain from writing).

As I mentioned above, I've started on my next project.  It is the Argyle Cap by Amy Munson (from Knit Picks).  I also ordered the Argyle Mitten Collection (also by Amy Munson) pattern as well.  Both the hat and mitten patterns have a few different variations of the pattern to choose from.  I have only just started the hat pattern today, so I don't have much of it to show in a photo just yet.  When I get it done, I'll be sure to take a picture.

The Ravelry group (International Scarf Exchange) is hosting another scarf exchange, and I've signed up for it again.  They are taking a month off from the alphabet exchange and just doing a stash busting exchange.  You can either sign up to send  just a scarf, or a scarf, a skein of yarn from your stash, and a little treat to nibble or sip.  I joined the one to send only the scarf, and I'm already thinking of possible patterns.  We will get matched up with a partner next Friday and then have a month to get the scarf made and mailed.

Time to get back to working on my hat.  We have a long weekend (Family Day) so I hope to get this project completed before heading back to work on Tuesday.

Happy knitting!

Sockapalooza Pal's Socks, ISE 4 Scarf, Spinning

Ok, I promised a picture of the socks I knit up for my Sockapalooza pal, and here they are:

They are made with Paton's Kroy yarn (I forget the colourway off hand, and can't find the ballband). I used 2.75 mm DPNs, and the pattern is the Yarn Over Cable from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.

The foot looks big (it's 10 inches from heel to toe), but I think it's because the cuff and leg are skinnier due to the ribbing nature of the pattern. At least that is what I surmise. I do hope they fit my pal (I'm sure they do...gotta think positive), and I hope she'll like them and the colourway and yarn I chose for her. I also gifted her with the two skeins of yarn I had ordered way at the beginning of Sockapalooza that I was originally going to make her socks from - only to realize that the pattern I chose AFTER ordering the yarn called for part of a third skein of the yarn...

I really enjoyed knitting this pattern. It is very easy to do, and I had the pattern (which was only 4 rows, and 2 of those were the same) memorized very, very quickly. If you haven't knit this pattern and you have Sensational Knitted Socks, I do recommend that you make this pattern!

Currently I am working (albeit slowly) at work on a child's pair of socks using the Little Shell Rib pattern from the same book. It's another easy peasy pattern that is easily memorized. I have no pics of it yet as I only have the leg done...well about another inch until I start the heel flap. Not sure if I'll get these socks finished before leaving for Korea, but I'll do my best so I can add it to the pile of items for the mitten tree at church...which reminds me, I'll have to have my mom or dad drop the stuff off at the church when the tree is up so the items can be put on/under it.

On another note, remember the scarf I knit for my ISE 4 pal? Well, I sent it out to her on June 7 (the day we were supposed to), and after the post office contacted her two or three times, I received my package back yesterday. She never went and claimed it at the post office. I've contacted the leader of ISE to let her know what happened and offered to use my package as an angel gift for this one, if someone has not received a scarf, or it could be used as an angel gift in the next round of ISE. I must say I was disappointed...something may have happened to her or she may have moved (I hope nothing bad has happened), as to why she never claimed it. Oh well. The next round will go better...and I'll also be sending it from South Korea!

I've also been working a little at spinning. I'll try to take pics of the first "skein/ball" of yarn I spun...it's really not a pretty sight...really. I've got a couple more sections to soak and dry before I can ball it up (I don't have a niddy noddy or whatever you call those things to make skeins with). I started into the other batch of roving I got back when I took the drop spindle course, and I must say that is a LOT better and finer spinning. I'll take a pic of that too so you can see the difference. I didn't want to spin the pinkish roving I won in the contest awhile back (scroll down to see the pic of the roving) because I didn't want it to look terrible. I figured I could use this batch or roving I purchased back in April as my next practice spinning before moving on to the beautiful pink one. I do plan on trying to squeeze that and my spindle into one of my suitcases. The spindle will be no problem to fit into my carryon (or any other suitcase for that matter), but the roving will take some squishing...should make a nice cushioning should I decide to pack anything "fragile" to take with me (though at this point I don't plan on taking anything fragile).

Well, off to do some knitting or writing for awhile. Happy knitting!

A Scarf In June

I got another awesome package today! This one was from my International Scarf Exchange 4 pal, Elizabeth (aka Stashkitty) who I think is blogless (though if she does have a blog, I hope she'll leave the link in the comment section since the only one linked to her on the ISE4 blog is to that very same blog...).

Here are the contents of the package she sent (forgive my mom's diabetes pills in the background...those did not come in the package, lol). There is the lovely scarf, some pretty stitch markers, a bag, and some delicious treats from a bakery in her neighbourhood. Let's see some closeups of everything.

First up is the scarf. See how pretty it is? I'm not sure of the pattern, but I love it! The yarn is Savanah DK and is an organic cotton/silk/linen blend, and its nice and soft. I really love the scarf, and I can't wait to wear it (I'll take it with me to South Korea)! Here's a closeup of the knitting. She did a great job on the scarf!

Next up are the beautiful stitch markers. They look a little red in the picture, but they are more brownish. I don't know if she made them or not, but they are so cute. You can see that they are on the bag that the scarf was in when I opened the box.

So, since you have been teased with a small portion of the bag, I'll show it in its entirety. The fabric was made at the place Elizabeth works at. She didn't say if she made the bag, or if it was made where she works, but I've sent her an email inquireing. Isn't it pretty? It's big enough to hold a knitting project bigger than a pair of socks, so I'll be able to use it when I make the next child's sweater that I have waiting in the wings to knit up. I had to use the flash in the picture so the fabric looks a little washed out or faded. In reality it isn't, though. I should have taken it outside to photograph when I took the scarf out, that way the picture might have been better.

And finally, the yummy treat! Yes, I said yummy. I've already sampled some after supper and it is soooooo good! She got it, as I said, from an old Italian bakery in her neighbourhood called Court Pastry Shop, according to the name on the box it came in. I don't know what this treat is called, but regardless of the fact, it is really good! I've never tried these before, but let me tell you, I wouldn't mind taking a little trip down to Brooklyn (where the shop is located) to get some! I decided to Google the shop and came up with this link to an article.

Anyway, thank you so much for the fabulous package Elizabeth! You did an awesome job with the scarf. I love it and everything you included!

Another F.O.

Remember the scarf I said I was working on...the lacy one that was working up quickly? Well, I got it done and blocked. It's the Kid Merino Cat's Paw Lace Scarf only I didn't use Kid Merino for it. I used Peruvian Pure Alpaca from Elann in the sangria colour.

When I ordered it, I thought the colour might be a little redder than it actually is (which is more of a reddish brown colour) because I wanted to make a scarf for a friend of mine from work because she is retiring in August. I know a scarf isn't really a summer item, but hey, this is Canada - we get winter up here!

Anyway, I don't know if I will give it to her now or not. I have some more of this yarn left, so what I might end up doing is taking it into work when I start (on May 7) and asking her what she thinks of the colour. If she likes it, then I'll gift her with the scarf. If not, then the scarf will go in the 25 Things For Charity tub I have and be put on the Mitten Tree at church at Christmas time.

Here's a closeup of one of the "cat prints". It doesn't really look like one to me, at least in this picture, but even if it doesn't look like a cat's paw, it looks kind of like a little flower so that will be acceptable.


Ok, as I said, I used alpaca (and boy was it soft!) yarn in the sangria colourway and size 6mm needles. It was a little slow going because the only size 6 I had (or at least that I could find) were plastic ones and the yarn didn't move too easily. It would have gone much better and quicker if I had bamboo or aluminum. I know I have 5.5mm and 6.6mm bamboo's, but I honestly don't know if I have 6.0mm in bamboo or not. At any rate, the scarf is done and blocked and overall I think the pattern turned out lovely (even if it doesn't quite look totally like cat paw prints to me...but that might be because of the way I had blocked it too).


I'm still working on my ISE4 pal's scarf. Now that school is done (with the exception of my TESL practicum which will be done next week), I will have a little more knitting time until I start back to work.


Oh, and I've started on the Secret Socks from the CD that my awesome Secret Pal 10 pal sent me not long ago! I'll show more of that when I get more done. I needed a break from studying the other night, so for about 1/2 an hour I worked on the sock for that...well maybe not quite 1/2 an hour...I got 8 rows done. This is a first for me (well, not only knitting a 'secret' pattern from a CD)...this sock is done on 2 needles! I was debating on trying to 'adjust' and use 4 dpns, but thought to myself, 'no, I am going to try some new things with my knitting this year so I am going to attempt to do it on 2 needles.'


Anyway, I think the pattern is from a podcast...at least that is what it sounds like so far...pretty cool! I have only listened to 3 podcasts (none of them from this lady because she has an accent, and the ones I've heard don't have any accents), but am thinking of downloading some for when I start to work. We are allowed to listen to the radio, CD player, etc. while working (data entry) so long as we have our earphones one. But, like I said, when I get further along in the sock, I'll post a pic of what it's looking like because right now it doesn't look like much of anything, lol.


So, now I must go and get caught up on reading some blogs and then do some knitting! Happy knitting to you!

Progressing Along

Well, thank you all for your well-wishes regarding my cold. I have a little of it left, but am considerably much better. This one didn't seem to be as bad a cold as usual - which is good! I still have a little of it left, and should be over it completely in a few days.

In knitting news, I've been working away on my ISE4 pal's scarf, and it's coming along nicely. When I work on it, I have to make sure I have the time to do a full repeat (24 rows) otherwise I'll forget where I am and get lost. It goes quickly though, and often I will do two repeats in a sitting. I am enjoying this scarf and the pattern.

It was a beautiful day out today, around +7 celcius (sorry to those using the non-metric temps, but I'm not sure how to convert it over for you), so I thought I'd take out my current knitting project out on the back patio and take a pic of them...you know for accurate colours and such.

Ok, for the first item, above, I have the scarf folded up...I'm still paranoid that my pal will discover it and my cover will be blown. So, if you are reading this and you are my pal (I know who you are), don't let on that you've discovered me or the scarf...otherwise I'll be sorely disappointed in myself at blowing my cover!

The scarf looked much brighter outside in the sun than in the house - naturally, and I found I liked the colours a lot more when they were out in the sun (not that I didn't like them before, just that I was worried that the scarf was going to be too dark).

The other picture I took is of the current sock project I started over the weekend. Another child's pair that will go for the mitten tree at the church at Christmas (and count for 25 Things For Charity). I am using the Butterfly Ribbed pattern, one that I printed off the net some time back. I'll post the link for it when I get the pair done.

I'm using the leftover Opal yarn (that I made the Lacy Trellis socks with), and am worried I won't have enough for it. So, I made the leg an inch shorter than normal so that it would just be a short sock. Also, they aren't going to match because the area that I began with for the first sock doesn't appear until the middle or so and if I were to cut the yarn, I would definately not have enough. So, hopefully the little girl that gets these won't mind. I also wound the yarn in a ball and the colour pattern will be working backwards...it's starting with pink (like at the heel of the first one), then purple, etc...I hope it won't look too freakish, lol. I'll also get a close up of the pattern when they're finished.

Well, must go do some homework now. Not much left to do in the school year. Exams start next week (the 19th) and I'm so not looking forward to that. I've also got to finish my observation and teaching practicum for TESL, but that probably won't be until the first week of May at the earliest. I want to get it done before I start work for the summer...which reminds me, I need to call and see if I can come in for the summer again. I don't think they'd like if I were to take off 2 mornings and 2 afternoons to do my practicum teaching, so if I can do that the first week of May, then I can start work the week after. Anyway, I'm it will all fall into place, I'm sure.

Happy knitting!

I Am Sick, Sick, Sick...

...ok, technically I am not that sick. I have a cold - an annoying, stuffy head, stuffy and runny nose, sneezy, ears feel like they are stuffed with cotton and when I talk my voice echoes in my head cold. I hate colds. I hate being sick. And yes, I am a whimp.

I think this cold came on yesterday, but I'm not totally sure. For a little over a month now, my eyes have been itchy, watery, and red. So, I figure it's my allergies starting to act up (being that time of year and all). Then, the sneezing begins. Darn annoying sneezing. And I'm about to lose my mind from all of this. So, on top of that, this cold or whatever it is (I think it is a cold), is driving me even more loopy. And not in a good way.

Right now, my chest feels somewhat sore from all the sneezing I've been doing. It's not "delicate lady type" sneezes either. I'm talking about loud-give-it-all-you've-got sneezing. Loud enough that I'm surprised I haven't been issued some kind of ticket or whatever for noise pollution. Did I mention that I hate being sick?

So, I have been working on my pal's scarf for ISE4. I have finally decided on the yarn and pattern (which is the border from one pattern and the stitch pattern from one of my knitting dictionary type books). I like the pattern, but I think it would look better in a solid colour yarn rather than varigated (she didn't want solid), but I am using the colours she stated on her questionnaire. The scarf does look good though, in my opinion. I just hope my pal will like it. I'd hate for her to have her hopes up at getting a fantastic scarf, only to receive something she doesn't like (for whatever reason). I don't know if she is a more experienced knitter than I am or not, but I'm hoping my knitting isn't disasterous. I don't want to be known in exchange circles as "the girl who knits crappy stuff."

Anyway, my pal would like a long scarf, and I've got so far three pattern repeats (I think). It isn't a difficult knit, and once you finish the 24 rows you have a fair amount showing. I'm paranoid of showing the pictures in case she happens upon my blog and sees it...at any rate, I am enjoying the pattern which always helps when you knit something - I mean, why knit something you don't enjoy, right?

Well, I'm heading off now. Not going to do any knitting though because I'm feeling tired (and sick of course). I just discovered moments ago that I have run out of nighttime cold medicine and it's too late to go get any (the drug store will be closed by the time I get there, and besides it is crappy outside tonight). I thought I had one more left, but alas, I am out. I'll have to suffer. Can't take the daytime stuff or I'll be up all night (it's non-drowsy). Oh well, enough complaining. Everyone gets sick from time to time, and it could be worse - I could have the flu or a stomach bug. Hopefully I'll feel like knitting tomorrow!

Happy Knitting!

International Scarf Exchange

Sign-ups are taking place for the International Scarf Exchange. They are only allowing, I think, 200 entrants, so if you want to take part, hurry over to the ISE blog and sign up. The email I got from them today said they are about 1/3 of the way. I think you have until the end of the month to sign up, and exchange parterns will be assigned March 15th (I think, but you can find out this info for sure on their blog).

This is my first scarf exchange - or really any exchange, and I'm a little excited about taking part. I've read on many blogs in the past about this exchange (and others), and most everyone has enjoyed it. I already have a couple of patterns in mind that I am thinking of doing - well, I'll choose between those two and make one for the person I make one for.

In other news, I'm still plugging away at my Falling In Love socks and am about finished the first one. Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to get the second one done by the end of the month, and they won't qualify for February's Socktopia entry. The only way I can get done in time is if I end up with everything finished schoolwise and knit for like 8 hours straight for a couple of days...or something like that.

The Noro scarf is coming along slowly as well. The colours are starting to grow on me, though I'm still not overly fond of the rust shades...I'm nearly finished the first ball and have the second to do. I don't think I'll be adding fringe to it because I probably won't have enough yarn left over. I'll just knit until I run out of yarn, then block it.

No pics of either the scarf or the socks this time, but hopefully I'll get some taken soon to show you the progress on the sock - probably when I get it finished and try it on to see how it fits! Hope to have some pic soon, and when I do I'll post them; until then, happy knitting!