Purging

It is time to purge. I had 4 projects on the needles at the beginning of the weekend. Today I have 1. Not only did I let the Back to School U Neck vest go but I also decided to end my relationship with the Chevron Scarf and the socks that I never really started. So right now, the only project I have going is the Mix and Mingle throw. As much as I hate the term, I am closer to starting up again with a "clean slate" and take another look at my stash for inspiration.

BTW- Clean slate also brings new yarn buys. I hit the Knitpicks sale and while I was buying some yarn for my MIL, a couple skeins for myself landed in the cart for yet another clapotis and a scarf gift.

WIPs and a trip

I know it has been a while since I have posted my progress on current projects. I have started a couple new things in the past week or so. First off, the Short Row Hat. This is a fun project and I liked how the yarn (Noro Silk Garden) was working until the big strip of green hit but maybe it won't be so glaring when it is finished.

New socks on the needles- The Cross Stitch Block socks from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I am using STR in Nodding Violet.

The Venezia cardigan is still on the needles. I have about 3/4 of the sleeves done. Then, seaming and finishing will be all that's left.

A group of us from PurlyGirls headed out to Bainbridge Island yesterday for Churchmouse's Yarn Sale. We got the a bit after it started and some of the people there had huge bags full of yarn. I was amazed at how much people were buying. I managed to find 7 skeins of Hemp for Knitting hemp/wool blend to use for the Pimlico Shrug from Knit 2 Together. Only a little over $4/skein! We also checked out the local fabric store where Mara, Meg and I decided to sign-up for a beginning sewing class. After lunch and a stop at the bakery, we took the ferry back to Seattle. I ended the day by going to the Seattle Sounders games with the fam.

Now, a week to myself since hubby and step-son are camping. Then, a week away on vacation. I can hardly wait!

Shop it to me

What do you do when it is way too hot to knit? Shop, of course! I visited my LYS yesterday and picked up these great sock yarns.

A Swell Yarn Shop's Duets yarn in Chic Girl! I love this colorway. Now to learn toe-up and afterthought heels...

I also got some self-patterning yarn. I normally don't buy these but the colorway jumped out at me.

It should cool down a bit today so the knitting can begin once again.

Tour Damage and more

Friday, I visited a couple of my LYS's as part of the local LYS Tour. I have to say I am pretty proud of the unintentional bargin shopping I did.

First stop was The Knittery in Renton. I found 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces- Pioneer and Lakeview- so I could join the Chevron Scarf bandwagon. Love it!

Next stop was Renaissance Yarns in Kent. I bought all of this and actually saved more than I spent. The Duet yarn was 10% off. The random Lorna's black skein was "damaged" and was 90% off and the other four were 60% off. That plus I got an extra 10% for being a frequent shopper.

The four Ella Rae yarns are going to be pillows for our newly painted family room...

See, it does need some color. Nothing but browns here.

We also painted the kitchen this weekend and I am so in love with it. Excuse the general mess but I find myself looking over there just to admire the color. Kind of like yarn, I guess.

Distractions

Everything is signed!!! We should get the keys to our new house today!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course this weekend, when I should have been packing the last of the little things, I went to a sale at my LYS. I had the intent to buy only a second skein of sock yarn for the Chevron Scarf but ended up with more, of course.

5 skeins of Navy wool at $4 each for the Venezia Sweater from the SnB calendar

2 skeins of Lorna's Laces in Devon, a yummy turquoise varigated color

Not much I know but I was great retail therapy for the hellish Friday we had. Now to concentrate on the move...

Going Crazy

Update on the house: Inspection on our current house was yesterday. We are negotiating with the buyer and should hear back from them this morning. Meanwhile, someone else is coming to check out the house today. We must be the attractors of all wierd home-selling things. So far, our realtors have told us none of the following would happen and they did: No one would come and talk to the neighbors; No one would come to the door and see to see the house without a realtor; No one would come to see the house after it was Subject to Inspection. I guess we won the lottery there.

I am also going sock crazy. I swatched for hubby's socks Monday night but still have not recieved the Knitpicks order with the rest of his yarn. So no socks on the needles right now and I don't know what to do! Hopefully the order will come today. According to the tracking page, it is only about 5 miles away.

In the middle of all this house stuff, We have all gotten the worst cold. I am going on week 2 of stuffy nose and cough. Hubby is just starting and Step-son is on the mend. We all just wanted a day to sit and veg but have not had a day where someone isn't at the house. I have Friday off and am really looking forward to some good lazy-ass time.

Keep you posted on the house and yarn. Maybe lightening will strike twice today!

Any excuse to shop and not work-out

So the sock yarn I bought on Monday will not be enough for Hubby's socks. What is a girl to do but buy more yarn. One skein of Navy sock yarn from Knitpicks also yielded a set of size 0 circs (Monkey socks are calling) and another skein of Bare to dye once we move and I find my Kool-aid stash.

Another 2 realtors have been by since Monday. I feel an offer coming in this weekend or at least I am crossing my fingers for one.

I am only going half-ass on the Yarn-over cable socks and not continuing the pattern down the foot. The pattern was not holding my interest and I wanted to see what the yarn would look like in plain ole stockinette.

Did I mention a couple of weeks ago I showed off my grace and flair by falling down the stairs? Well, I did and I think I did something to my foot. I may have also overdone it at the gym (ha! ha! ha!) It may be time to have someone look at it.

Hawks and socks

After being badgered by hubby more than once, I finally broke down and bought some Seahawk colored yarn to make some socks for him. I visited a LYS for the first time yesterday knowing they carried the yarn and somehow that one skein was all I came out with. I do think I will need to buy some plain yarn for the heel and toe since he wears a size 13 shoe and the skein only has 400 yds. So next up on the needles, Seahawk socks complete with Deion Branch gloves green.

Retail Therapy

I hit the LYS on my way home last night and did a small amount of retail therapy. I have been eyeing the Duet Sock yarns online and finally saw them in person. This colorway grabbed my attention and I had to pick it up. Of course, that adds to my already too large sock yarn stash but it should be a good portable project for the move.

The realtors came over on Wed and looked at the house. We are meeting with them tomorrow to see what our asking price should be and to look at some more houses. We told step-son last night about the move and surprisingly, he took it very well. He is excited about a bigger bedroom and being closer to parks and school. I am really eager to hear what the realtors have to say.

Stash Enhancement

Honestly, what am I going to do with all these potential socks?

Nodding Violet and Farmhouse
Velvet Moon

The start of my Fair Isle hat. This is so addicting...

Socks update and more...

Too impatient to wait for a trip to the LYS, I started another sock pattern with the STR- Waterfall Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks. I haven't done too many rows but I like it so far.

On Sunday, after the Seahawks loss, I did head to the LYS to use my 20% off coupon. I had 4 different sweater options in my head. They had a IK trunk show so I got to see a couple in person and decided on the cover sweater from the most recent issue (the name is escaping me). I went the inexpensive route since I was already feeling quilty about the purcahse and got Cascade 220 in Brown. Came home to swatch and messed up 3 times in the first repeat. Ok, maybe that pattern and I are not destined to be together.

Option #2- Something Red from Knit and Tonic. Starting swatching on the recommended #7 needles. Too small. #8? Still too small. Finally settled on #9 needle and started this morning.

Whew! In the midst of all this swatching, frogging, changing of patterns and restarts, I finished the Bamboo lace scarf. Pics to come soon...

Roll Call for the weekend

I am really excited about both the projects I started this week. Needless to say, the other 2 I had going have been ignored for now.

Here is the throw from the kit Hubby got me for my Birthday. Perfect for our new couch and living room colors. Only downfall is the Suri Dream. I cursed this yarn last time I knit with it but luckily here it is only in chucks of 4 rows.

I am trying my own pattern for these socks with a little help from my stitchionary. I wasn't sure about the colors when I bought the yarn but I really like them now.

Lastly, here is the sock yarn I bought the other day. Just when I start making a dent in the stash, I buy another 2 skeins. In my defense, I thought I was getting 20% off for my b-day month but it turns out it is good the month after your b-day. Don't ask me why but I see more yarn in my future in about 2 weeks.