Lucky Leaf

I haven't been accomplishing much on the knitting front with work shaping back into it's typical nuttiness, but my socks are never far away. I completed one of the March Blue Moon Fiber Arts sock club socks and started its mate. It is a really fascinating knit - kudos to JC Briar the pattern designer. The leg features an increasing gusset while knitting the back of the heel - then you turn the heel and short-row a heel flap on the bottom of the foot - and then knit in the round again to work the foot traditionally. No picking up stitches. Not that I mind usually, but it was interesting to see how it all came together. All-n-All it fits pretty nicely too. If I was to do this type of heel again - I think I would skip the sl1, k1 on the bottom of the foot heel flap as it draws the heel pretty tight and is a bit narrow for my foot. I think I would just go down a needle size on the bottom (since I use a 2 circ method) to create a nice tight fabric.

Last weekend, we went home to visit the family and our new little addition. Cutie, isn't he?

And of course - I can't go home without making a yarn and fabric trip with my Mom to Fiber Options. I restrained myself and only brought home three skeins (yeah - good I know - especially with the number of Loopy Ewe boxes that arrived at my house last week - oops fell off the Loopy Wagon again).

Fiber Options:

[Mission Falls cotton royal blue and baby blue, Classic Elite Alpaca Sox]

Loopy Ewe:

[Spindle City Yarns Lichen, Dream in Color Smooshy Don't be Blue, The Sanguine Gryphon Eidos Bougainvillea, Zen String Lotus Toes Echninacea and Sugar Magnolia]

Oops - I also forgot about the Ravelry Destash purchases....

[Blue Moon Socks that Rock Tide Pool, Monsoon, Spring Fling, and Fire on the Mountain and Silkie in Walking on the Wild Tide]

Darn it - I need to knit more and buy less. I really need to have a chat with the person who came up with the idea that sock yarn doesn't count as stash - you'd think I was saving for the End of Days or something. Wow - looking at this and loading it all into Ravelry makes me wonder if I need to join a support group or grow extra limbs to knit more.

FO, Stash Enhancement & SP 11 Contest #2

A few random things for today. I finished my mittens today and Tuesday I finished all the pieces for my FFBE bag! Yeah - feels like its been forever since I finished something:






























To add to my joy - the postman delivered two packages today----

My recent Loopy Ewe Sneak Up Order:

Fleece Artist Merino in Mermaid - Yummy & 2 Wendy Knit's Sock Patterns















The other package contained the yarn I'm going to use to make the Bacardi Cardigan from No Sheep For You for my Mum for Christmas. I decided not to use the cotton in the original b/c I wanted something softer and more drapey -- I'm using RYC Cashsoft DK (love how it feels and it makes a really beautiful fabric).




SP 11 Contest -
Shelby our lovely Sp 11 hostess is hosting Contest #2 for SP11. We are to post pictures of our stash - a little crazy right now - as I'm working on the 2nd package for my SP11 pal and my FFBE package, but here it goes..... If you are on ravelry you can check-out the details of my stash on the site - my username is "kamcole". It's pretty up-to-date its only missing the cashsoft for the fore mentioned sweater and the cashsoft I'm using for the never ending blanket.

Stash Acquisition! Yarn Pron & Stuff

I received two great packages in the mail today. I love the postman. It must be one of the reasons I love swaps so much - the child in me still likes getting mail (real mail anyway - Postman if you are listening please keep bills, junk mail, especially the endless credit card applications).

The first package was my first Loopy Ewe order. They Rock!! Check it out -

I can't wait to try out the yarn when my Socks that Soar book arrives. I really want to try two circs from the toe up. How gorgeous is this colorway - Sage from Spritely Goods. It's superwash merino wool ~560 yds. I also got a sample pack of soak wash to try and see if I like it and a few might end up in some of my swap packages for my pals. Plus Sheri sent a wonderful handwritten note and a few goodies. I have to say their customer service is top notch. There are two sample cards of Regia Silk and Bamboo that feel absolutely luxurious - talk about sales encouragement (not that I ever need much); plus three cards to keep track of your needle collection (straights, circs & dpns) -- I've been needing to do this for ages. I'm going to add it to the notebook, I keep in my purse. Thanks Sheri, I'm well on my way to becoming a Loopy Groupie!

My second package was also another first for me. My first Etsy purchase. I ordered a row counter bracelet and stitch markers from Hide and Sheep.

They really are beautiful - I can't wait to try them out. I want to start a project with lots of rows just so I can use the bracelet. I also ordered 6 stitch markers, which they made to match and were nice enough to customize so that 1 is larger than the others (so I can use it as a row marker). The abacus bracelet is a really neat concept and would make a great gift for a fellow knitter. Take a look at their Etsy shop - they have all kinds and they are really reasonable. I think I'm going to get one for a friend for Christmas.