Wednesday, June 27, 2007

100 Post Milestone

Funny how this whole knitting community/blogging/swapping thing grows. I picked up knitting in late November last year after Anne's Thanksgiving visit. After a few almost gentle nudges, she convinced me to start a blog so I could sign up for the Knitter's Treat Exchange. Now, only a few months later, wordy, chatty me has 100 posts, or rather, will once I post this one. Thank you, each and every reader, especially those whom left comments. I try to respond, but if you don't leave an email address, there's a chance I'll forget to answer in the blog. And a special thank you to the wonderful Anne, for sharing your passions with me, even when I'm being a gooblette and need remedial instructions.

Today, Mark and I ran away. He announced last week that we were both going to be off today, which in a family business is rather brash. He didn't ask his boss - his father - or mine - his mother - but simply wrote our names on the calendar and then made his announcement. No good reason, really. We took his truck over to program the two new remotes, but his cousin would have made arrangements without us both taking the day off, and most certainly, Mark could have driven to Elkton alone. Still, it was a great break, a fantastic treat, and getting to spend time with Gary at work (nothing like bring your cousin and his wife to work day, huh?), surrounded by people who obviously like and respect him was icing on the cake. (If you're in Virginia, Dick Myers is a great spot for auto needs. If you need parts, ask for Gary and tell him Chan sent you.)

But you don't pop in to hear me sing the praises my childhood friend/inlaw of distant sorts and/or his employer, do you? And as much as I adore Gary, he's not exactly 100th post material, so...



After hanging out, getting the remotes and a few other minor parts and repairs and having lunch, we headed home, in a slightly roundabout way. Last week, in a moment of weakness, I did some stash increasing. I stumbled onto a blog flaunting the Tofutsies Sock Club, and, well... You know what happened, don't you? Turns out one of the best prices I found was one county away, at a shop I'd been told had the best sock yarn selection in the area. (Which means anything about 45 miles from Charlottesville, in any direction.) So, I ordered (and couldn't stop at just the sock club, but you saw that coming too if you're a regular reader), and waited. Nothing. Sigh. Finally, I get the dreaded email... I'd selected a color not in stock. (It happens to the best systems, at the best stores, so that's hardly a complaint, okay?)


So, a few emails back and forth, and Mark and I had a date at Carodan Farms with Caroline. We pulled up in front of the cute shop, which is just steps away from what I assume is her home, and before we were out of the truck, Caroline was coming up the walk. She was friendly, helpful, gracious, and merely smiled as Mark did his best bull in a china shop routine and knocked various notions off the rack, one pair of mittens in the floor, and who knows what I missed. My only complaint is that it is a good thirty minutes beyond Limerick Fibers, which is a good 25 minutes from my house, so... It will be a special treat to stop in, and I would love for each of you to come visit so I have a good reason to go!




First, the reason I found them, the Tofutsies June Sock Club. (Took long enough to get to the yarn, didn't I?!) South West Trading Company doesn't seem to give their yarn fun, funky names, but you know I love the pinks, white and black here! It's a limited edition color, and if I understand correctly, it's only available in the June Tofutsies Sock Club. The good news is, your own local yarn shop might carry it, but if not, perhaps you'll give Caroline and Carodan Farm your business. $16 got me the yarn - which I believe I paid $16.99 for in a Richmond yarn shop - and the exclusive "Wild Kat" pattern which looks incredible. (Sorry folks; all non-sock knitting is likely to STOP once my tank is done, which might be tonight or tomorrow. I just have too many great sock yarns and patterns, and Summer of Socks certainly doesn't discourage me! I did wisely include a few pairs of socks in my Christmas KAL list.)





Next, the yarn that I actually ordered BEFORE the Tofutsies, because it was on the front page of their website, and it called my name. I'm pretty sure I already have some Claudia's for ME in my stash, but I consider buying her yarn part of my efforts to support another Virginia woman in business. After all, she is based about an hour from here, so that makes her local, right? That's an exclusive colorway called watermelon, which the artist dyed just for Carodan's SoXperience, which I just missed this year, dang it! Caroline had the CUTEST baby hat done in the worsted weight, and I see myself ordering it in the name of a baby hat for the friend loving bright colors but enjoying the mystery of her first pregnancy, so... There's really enough green in there that I think my friend would plop it on her baby's head, in his/her John Deere onsie, and think it was just wonderful. See the flecks of black in there? I know you do - look in the right-most part of my photo. That makes SEEDS when the yarn is knit up! Dontcha' just love it!?






Then, Sue had convinced me that I *NEEDED* my own hank of Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn, and being the impressionable novice that I am, I heeded her advice. Meet my elderberry (the color I really wanted, so I'm glad whatever I tried to order wasn't really available), which isn't at all neon, as the flash implies. There was a storm moving around us, and I guess this one shot got flashed... It's a great, dark, fall-looking hank of deep jewel-tones that wants to be a warm pair of socks for this winter. (And yes Sue, it's right here within reach, and I can't stop petting it.)





This solitary ball of Wick waved at me too, and I'm a sucker for friendly yarn. It had no friends. There was a great selection of Wick, but this colorway was alone, and I couldn't just leave it there. Any suggestions as to what to do with it? It's only 120 yards, but I'm hoping that maybe I can squeeze a pair of toe-less yoga socks out of it. Truly, I'd love other suggestions. Wick had caught my eye somewhere, probably on one of your blogs, but of course, I don't remember where, or what you were making...


Last, and honestly, least exciting, are the patterns I picked up. Caroline had probably the best selection of well-organized single patterns I've seen. (I'm still searching for the one Anne bought at Limerick's that I liked too.) I love this little Fiesta Fishbone Lace sock pattern, and for once, I won't have to stop a pattern well in advance of the written instructions to make myself a short sock! Then, there's another Oat Couture, Auntie's Afghan for baby. I even admitted to Mark as he raised his eyebrows at checkout that I probably wouldn't knit it up, but I actually had bookmarked that pattern back in the spring, before I overdosed on blankies. Knowing how much I'm liking the OC vest pattern I'm doing now, I couldn't resist. So, as a reward for those of you who made it this far, post a comment about my purchases today, and I'll use the random number generator to select a winner. One entry per person, and best of luck to each of you!

18 comments:

Laura said...

Hi Chan,

Thank you so much for the great treats! I love the yarn colors you sent and my daughter and I hit the pretzels right away. Thanks to Mary for the lovely stitch markers!
I will try to post pictures soon. Things are a little crazy for me right now.

Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

*snort* and you thought I'd gotten a lot when I visited? Looks to me like SOMEONE is addicted!

And congrats on 100 posts, my dear :D That's awesome!

vegasangelbrat said...

Congrats on the 100th post!! No purple huh...liar liar pants on fire...lol I see purple in the Gorgeous Elderberry yummy I love it yarn up there :) Its for me right..lol
Love the sock pattern, I like those shortie socks too..may be able to pull a pair of socks out of that lonely yarn all by itself, will have to think on that one for sure. You better watch out I don't come visit..we will be yarn crawling :) Yep, Anne's right, your definitely addicted my dear! lol :)
Congrats again...thats Fantastic!!

Devonshire said...

100 posts....I think I've most of those!! I'm so glad that I found your blog via Anne and we have all become good friends. And now for the yarn...The 'Watermelon' is stunning, The Bearfoot yarn is gorgeous - love the purples and blues, The Wick - you must tell me how that goes...it would make a great pair of toeless yoga socks and because you like them short I think it will work out nicely! Also those patterns are awesome. That blanket - although it would take forever (for me) is beautiful.
Happy Posting/knitting/Chatting!!

Shannon said...

(I just wanted to say CONGRATS on your 100th post!! *g*)

Sue J. said...

If you could see me right now, you would see me green with envy. I have ordered from Carodan Farms before and found their sock yarn collection to be one of the best on the web. But to go there in person!! So glad you got some Bearfoot. It is heavier than some sock yarns, so this isn't for warm weather wear. What a delightful way to spend the day. And congrats on the 100th post.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blog centennial! It's quite a milestone, so to celebrate, how about going on a virtual vacation? It's gonna be fun!

Barb said...

yummy yarn!! I LOVE the color of that tofutsies and i've never tried the Bearfoot, can't wait too see how it knits up :)

Cass said...

Ooooo I've been wanting to get my hands on some Wick- will you fondle it and describe it for us? It's loverly.

Congrats on your 100th. You don't look a day over 99.

Surviving said...

I love all the great colors you picked out. I really need to go and see about getting some yarn to make some socks. I really want to try some.

Unknown said...

Happy 100th post, Chan!

I LOVE the Claudia that you picked out for yourself. Very pretty!

Sharon said...

Congratulation on your 100th!!

Elkton as in Maryland?!?! If so you were SOOOO close to me!!!! I have been there bunches of times!!!

What you talking about color? The yarn you post about is definitely color enough!! And oh the yarn... Do they come in a non-wool variety? ;-)

Bubblesknits said...

Congrats on your 100th! I'm about to hit mine, too!

As for the Wick, I made a pair of socks out of some and they're wonderfully squishy. Thick, but squishy. :-)

Rachel said...

Yay, congrats on 100 posts! All your purchases look delish, I'm especially drooling over the Claudia's sock yarn - I've been wanting to try that. I keep squeezing it in my LYS every time I go in.

Jen C said...

Congrats on 100 hope I make it that far some day. The tofutsies looks great and it works up wonderfully.

ikkinlala said...

Lovely yarn (the Elderberry especially)! Congrats on 100 posts.

I'm laughing at the idea of a John Deere onesie - my cousin's daughter currently has a pair of John Deere socks with ruffles, which don't really go with farm equipment in my opinion, but I guess it's a popular brand for a lot of things.

Martina in AK said...

MMMM...yummy yarn! Congrats on your 100th post! It's so fun to connect with my sis' best friend, and I always love your comments on MY blog! :-) Thanks for being such a great host to my mom when she was there!

Nancy @ the Jersey Shore said...

Happy 100 posts! That yarn looks so cheerful! What a way to celebrate--with yarn purchases