Martini Knitter

The Big Reveal

  Thank you, Debbi!  We swapped our Silly Socks this afternoon. Debbi spoiled me with these lovely blue socks that fit perfectly (I need to get the specs on them), some Spunky Eclectic roving,  some of Mary's fabulous stitch markers, a yummy cookbook, handmade soap that smells good enough to eat, hot cocoa (that will be going with me to work), a fantastic sock pattern, and a whooping 600 yards of yarn called Dragonfly.  And thank you Christine, Crystal and Kathy for the wonderful narration....it was almost as good as being there.  What a great idea Julie and Crystal ! The group reveal photo's are here and go over and check out Madame Purl's lovely new socks.

Perfect Timing

I was finishing getting ready to go to breakfast and the doorbell rang.  My Silly Sock Swap package has arrived!  Because this swap was a small group of friends,  those that are geographically close are getting together tomorrow for the reveal and Madame Purl and I will be 'calling in'.  Perfect timing and no I won't peak :)

Impromtu Knitting

A cup of coffee,  a sock, and some lovely conversation.  I finally plowed though the second short row heel on my Silly Sock Swap Sock and am making great progress toward finishing them up.

On the way I pulled over to snap this beautiful mountain morning.

My First...

short row heel.  I didn't notice when I chose my pattern that it had a short row heel but so far  I am pretty pleased with my first silly sock swap sock

Laundry Day

All this sock talk reminded me that I need to wash our hand knit socks.  I have been wearing them to work on a pretty regular basis and almost all of them were in need of laundering.  I usually wash them on the gentle cycle in a lingerie bag and then let them air dry.

Decisions, decisions

I throughly enjoyed the Bloomin' Feet swap last spring so I was thrilled when I was asked if I would like to participate in a small swap among friends.   Aptly dubbed the Silly Sock Swap as the packages are due on April Fool's Day.  The matches were made and the questionnaires exchanged.  Now all the decisions about the perfect yarn and pattern.  I am pretty sure I have settled on the yarn, a lovely Lorna's Laces and I have narrowed down the patterns to a select few.  I am hoping to cast on this weekend. 

Holiday's, Vacation and 2008

WOW..it has been a while since my last post.  I have to say it wasn't a planned absence.  December kind of got away from me.  I did have a very nice birthday,  I was so surprised to receive a wonderful and perfect fitting pair of socks, hand dyed and hand knit (dubbed chocolate covered cherries),  and although I  missed the recent sneak up I am looking forward to using a thoughtful gift certificate to the Loopy Ewe. I am still learning about the new camera Keith got me...I think that is going to take some time.

As we didn't take all of our vacation last year and our company has a use it or lose it policy,  we had an additional week off before Christmas.  Do you ever have one of those vacations that when it's over you are not sure where the time has gone?  I was able to spend some time with new friends and old and even managed to bring a new knitter into the fold.  She emailed me the next day and asked why I hadn't told her it was addictive,  if she only knew :)  We managed to get some much needed house stuff done, read electrician, fireplace guy, etc.  And most lovely was a visit from friends.  The weather was a bit challenging but we enjoyed their visit.

We had a quiet Christmas day just the two of us.  The past couple of years we have stayed home and have lazed around opening gifts, drinking hot chocolate and this year watching the perfect snow.  This is a picture of me trying to figure out the  new camera and one tuckered out little kitty guarding her stocking.

We welcomed the new year in quietly with an old movie, homemade pizza and then watched the ball drop...I even stayed up until midnight.  It was weird to know that we were watching a replay,  this is our first new year's outside of EST.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful and prosperous new year! 

Thanksgiving Holiday Recap

Warning Picture Heavy Post ! I can not believe it is December!  We were fortunate to take some extra time off over the holiday and visit both of my grandmothers and my Mom.  We flew into Rockford, IL  very close to my mom's place late Thursday evening (the 15th) and stayed a quick night with my Grandma K (mom's mom).  Mom was extremely generous and lent us her car to make the 6+ hour drive up to visit Grandma E (dad's mom). Grandma E lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior,  beautiful country but not the easiest place to get too especially this time of year. Keith and I had a nice drive up on Friday and arrived to the wonderful aroma of homemade stew...sorry no pictures it was gone too quickly.  We had a wonderful visit,  very low key with lots of knitting and visiting.  We woke Saturday to a dusting of snow and headed out to three lovely yarn stores and warmed up with some coffee at Babycakes.  I picked up some Frog Tree Alpaca Chunky  in Ecru and cast on for a The Single Cable Scarf from One Skein ( I did use 4 skeins to make it longer).     Sunday Grandma E and I went out to breakfast and took a drive through Presque Isle and spotted this  red-headed woodpecker.  Whether I travel for business or pleasure, I always enjoy local culinary treats and I have to say no one makes these better than Grandma E,  we indulged in one of my all time favorites, pasties. These are truly a labor of love,  making them is a two day process and the effort is much appreciated.  Keith had forgotten his hat and asked if I would make him one.  After I finished up the scarf we picked up a few more balls of that wonderful alpaca yarn and a set of circular needles.  This was a quick knit after dinner Sunday evening, of course I had to check my decreases and then the finished product .    It was most enjoyable to sit with Grandma E crocheting, me knitting and Keith reading in the evenings.  Grandma knit wonderful hats, scarves and mittens each year when I was younger. 

We headed back down to Illinois bright and early Tuesday morning to visit with my Mom, step Dad, step Brother and stay with my Grandma K and her new furry friends.  Sampson and Delilah are the two newest additions to the family.  They are approximately 8 weeks old and bundles of energy and curiosity. They provided endless entertainment during our stay.  I spent a good deal of Wednesday baking while Keith helped out with a few lingering chores around the house.  Wednesday evening I was lucky enough to join Madame Purl and her regular knitting group for a bit.  And then she was able to come over Thanksgiving morning for some more chatting, knitting, and playtime with the youngsters( they were intrigued by the clear knitting bag).   After the pies finished up we headed over to Mom's house for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner.

Friday was my step brother's birthday and seeing as how he recently moved to IL from GA, I thought a scarf was in order.  And Grandma K also recently moved from TN to IL and that lovely Frog Tree scarf found a new home.

Sunday Drive

I awoke early this morning and enjoyed several hours of reading,  something I haven't done in quite a while. I am probably the only person on the planet that has not finished the latest of the Harry Potter books.  I am pacing myself.  Keith and I headed out to our usual spot for a late breakfast and then took a lovely drive up into the mountains.  On our way back home we pulled up to a red light and this pulled up next to us. I think it is an iguana but I'm not positive.  I tried snapping some pictures as we were driving off.  I have to say this was something neither of us had ever seen.  The iguana seemed pretty comfortable with the arrangement though.  I have to say one of my first thoughts was of a knitterly friend back East ( you know who you are) and her lack of enthusiasm for such creatures. 

On the knitting front,  I have not yet blocked Cozy,  but I have cast on the Hedera socks and am throughly enjoying the pattern.  Keith took this the other night,  Panda can't help but be in  the middle of everything and honestly I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Actual Knitting Content

It has been a tremendous knitting week.  I was back in the greater Boston area last week and had a great time with Julie, Debbi, Christine and Crystal.  I finished up the Twisted Flower socks; I am definitely  going to have to knit another pair in a solid color but I am pleased at how well these turned out.

Cozy has been in 'time out' for just about two years now and I needed some moral support to rip back past my mistake(about a foot back).  I can't thank you ladies enough!!  I am also happy to report that I have knitted back to this point without  a repeat of the mistake.  And last but not least I was able to meet Kristi for coffee, knitting, and a trip to the LYS this past Saturday.  A wonderful way to start the weekend!