Looking for my Benefactor

I arrived home to find not one, not two, but FIVE packages on the porch for me. Amazing! Two were Pampered Chef supplies, so we'll gloss right over those. Take a look at what the rest of them had inside! All of that, for me. Well... maybe not, but we'll say it is.




The mass on the left is Carodan's own wool. Evidently, on the last Saturday in September, I already knew I wasn't going to make it to the Fall Festival and I purchased a little extra when I ordered by October Tofutsies Sock of the Month Club. (That's on the right, with the pattern peeking out at the top.) The replacement Harmony needles from KnitPicks are the blur in the lower center, and that awesome book on the bottom is the big mystery.



Are you my benefactor? I'm positive I've never ordered from Powell's in Oregon. Heck, the only thing I've ever gotten from Powell's of Virginia is a hope chest, and I didn't buy it. Besides, I was still using my maiden name then. Also, the ship to/bill to are to my name you all know me by, and there is a super-secret (shut up Anne) first name, by which all of my online shopping happens. The order was filled/placed on October 3rd, which was the day I left home thinking both dogs were healthy and all was right in my world, so there's no good reason for me not to remember making such a special order. Whoever you are, THANK YOU from the bottom of my Amazon left me high and dry on this one heart. I am taking this book with me tonight to my training class, carefully tucked into my portfolio, so that while I'm supposed to be learning how to use all the neato features on the new website, I can really be learning how to knit the perfect sock. (I mean, if I can blog and knit, can't I figure out how to do whatever on a website?!)





Here's a close-up of *MY* Tofutsies. October is my favorite month, green, a favorite color, so... MINE! A great apple green with dashes of black, white, and maybe some grey too. Have I mentioned lately how much I love this yarn?!





I would also be remiss if I didn't blow kisses to Caroline or whomever re-addressed my package and still got it to me in a timely fashion, all while either preparing for or being at Stitches East. They didn't even charge me an idiot fee or the additional shipping I'm sure they had to pay. Now THAT is customer service. Thanks, Carodan!





Now, knitting has been happening, but you know we can't talk about what you can't see, because then Anne begins going gangsta' on our friends, trying to get them to tell her about her surprise. Like she really wants to ruin it. Silly girl...


So, I decided I wanted to finish my first pair of Tofutsies. I cast on (love that magic cast on!) while playing fetch with Mugsy. No need to do more than glance at the pattern and go, much less look at my notes or the first socks, right? Erm, uh...

As you can see, it *DOES* make a difference whether one casts on 14 stitches on EACH needle or TOTAL stitches. Not only is the sock on the left wider at the toe, it's toe portion is actually SHORTER before the pattern begins, because, well, it's faster to get to 36 stitches on a needle when you have seven more stitches to begin with. Sadly, it seems that the second sock is the version intended by the pattern's designer (am I right, Deby?), but since #1 is done and I liked the fit... I'm leaning towards frogging and repeating sock #1, but I'm also wondering how I ended up with 36 stitches when I started with an odd number and increase on each end of each needle. The socks are for me, and will always be work with closed-toe shoes, so... ?? Thoughts? Opinions?

Back to Knitting Content

Quite a bit of knitting happened over the weekend. I finished my beautiful shrug Saturday, and I need to remind you that Amanda has opened an Etsy shop, so now you too can create beautiful things with her semi-solid colorways! I hope to talk the Knight into taking a shot or two of me wearing the shrug this afternoon, but it's supposed to be about 90 degrees then, so we'll see.

Here, it is displayed on the wrought iron chair on the deck. It stretches, oh my does it stretch! That's a good thing, because I'm not a waif. Still, I think it looks great on too. It's warm though. Very warm. When the temperature drops later this week, I will appreciate that.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed knitting with the NH Knitting Mama's yarn. Follow the above link to her Etsy shop and get some of your own; you won't be sorry. The pattern was by Dream in Color, and I used #9 KnitPick Options, with a 32" cord. I think a 24" cord would do, but evidently, I don't have one. I used the metal tips here, as I don't have any tips in the Harmony Options yet, save the flawed #10.5s, which are being replaced as we speak/type/read. I am now eager to tackle more lace and "real" fitted knits.

I also snagged some great stitch markers for a pal, and some custom-made earrings for a Christmas gift (see?! I've started shopping!), and sweet Anita also included a notepad, which I adore. (We happen to share a last name; how cool is that?!) You can secure your own Yarndemon creations here.

Aren't these guys darling?! (Squint through one eye. Maybe then the photo quality won't be such a hindrance.) In case your imagination is weak, they're little Scotties, which will be happy earrings for someone in a couple of months.

Of course, there are other friends on Etsy too. Mary is working on some row counters for me, and anyone else with similar desires, and Jessi is working on something very special too. It's even better than having a personal shopper; I'll never settle for a yarn or stitch markers that aren't exactly what I want again. (And they'd do the same for you. Really.)

Warning! Grab a Snack First

As when I was teaching, I'm not one to stop for structured breaks. Just quietly get up and do what you need to do, and I'll keep talking. Food and drink are encouraged, unless you have a known spewing problem...

The things we do for friends! Firstly, pop over HERE and check out Holly and Anne's coffee swap. They both seem a little surprised that I'm excited about it, but firstly, when two pals of mine host a swap, I want to be a part of the fun. Secondly, Anne has taught me that I don't HATE coffee; I hate run of the mill coffee. She's also promised my pal isn't allowed to make fun of me if I ask for Starbucks or McDonald's gift cards. Dudes... even Anne adores McD's iced coffees. My funny little mother inlaw had FITS on her cruise, because they kept seeing McD's, but no iced coffees! I guess it never crossed her mind to ask someone on the ship to make her one...

Also, for a great cause, please go visit Nicole's first contest. I'd also like to encourage you to help her meet her donation goal for the year. Heck, let's see if we can blow her goal out of the water, okay? Pets everywhere need a helping hand, and the ASPCA is a great organization. You even get bonus entries for adopting a dog this year. I won't be getting those points, but I can assure you that our next basset will be a little girl from our rescue. There are so many pluses to adopting, but this is going to be a long post anyway...

Now, y'all have been great about reading along without pictures long enough. So, look out! Here come the photos.

First comes my current pride and joy, the shrug done in Amanda's yummy yarn. Giving the camera the green table and the gold project bag to focus on seemed to help me get closer to accurate colors. That's four of the nine repeats of the lace. Then, another cuff, stitch the cuffs together as sleeves, and then pick up about a gazillion stitches all the way around for a little ribbed border there too. It's warm outside now, but just you wait. I'm going to be wearing this by the weekend, no matter what!

Next comes several days worth of stash and supply building packages. These Peace Fleece needles are Nicole's fault. The Knight has asked me to knit *HIS* cloths on smaller needles, so I ordered some #6s. (Don't tell him I'd already ordered #6 Bryspuns, okay? I'm sure in time, I'll use them both.) They sure are pretty, and knowing that I'm shopping and knitting and making the world a better place all at the same time is a great feeling.

Next comes the fiber love. It's been a while since I really did some shopping with Loopy, so I got a little crazy last week when I arrived home just in time to get my Loopy's Groupies notice that a sneak-up was happening. I scored a couple of Wendy's sock patterns, and this Bambewe in "Sedona" which makes me want to skip the cruise and go back to those warm, red rocks and The Red Planet diner. But that's another story. If you haven't been to Sedona, you're missing the jewel of the Southwest. If you have, you know exactly what I mean.

I also snagged some Yarn Pirate in Loopy Blues, because I could and because so many of you swear by this yarn. I love the colors. I seem to be hung up on turquoise again, not that it's a bad thing. The brown actually has some red in it, but I guess the redwood stain on the deck didn't help draw that out.

Last, but hardly least in my Loopy haul is the Yarntini in Designated Driver. It looks like my favorite pair of almost thread-bare jeans, and I think it will make socks just as comfortable and long-lasting. Yummy, yummy yarn, all of it. And stash police? Don't worry. When my inlaws retire, I'm taking my knitting to work and my productivity will double. I will use up my stash, but I thank you for caring.

I also grabbed some of Bernat's Cashmere, which only has 5% of the fine fiber in it. However, I'm in search of a soft, favorite sweater meets easy-care yarn, so someone will be getting a little something made of this buttah. It sure is soft to the touch, but it's a relatively new yarn, so no one on Ravelry has been complaining about it pilling or anything yet. (See? Once the inlaws retire, I'll have my queue stacked and my stash built up for another 20 years of knitting at work and at home. There's a method to my madness, right?)

But wait! THERE'S MORE! Not much more though, I promise. Just my two sets of cable needles. I thought I'd show you both sets, since I know Anita (check out her darling Etsy store too!) has the "plain" wood set and is still waiting on her Harmony Knitpicks. Despite the fact I still don't cable, I'm feeling very happy with my purchases. The two sets offer different diameters, and if you can't tell, the plain wood set is notched about twice as often as the Harmonys. Interestingly enough, if I'd lined them up by size, largest first, it would be Harmony, plain, plain, Harmony, and the two smallest sizes are pretty darned close.

And my pretty #10.5 tips. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go switch those tips out on the secret bag project, and settle in for House.

What's that Mugsy? Oh yeah. Dinner for me. (Which means second dinner for the dogs, because when the Knight's away, I share a lot more. I learned to cook at the firehouse, where the average group was about 15. I don't do meals for one or even two so well.)

Questions and Answers

So, my Fall Felted Bag Exchange pal has questions.

Questions: what is your preferred sock knitting method and what needles do you use? Also, favorite sock yarn or one you want to try?

Well pal o' mine, I like anything BUT Magic Loop. Which is to say, I like dpns a lot, but two circs are so easy to travel with that I guess they are in the #1 slot. Needles? Addis and KnitPicks. I thought I was all about metal, but of late, I've been into wood and bamboo. ANYTHING bamboo appeals to me, because it's the ultimate renewable resource. The stuff makes Virginia Creeper (read: kudzu) look like a slow grower. I'm also really liking the toe-up approach to socks, just for the record.

Favorite sock yarn. Okay gentle reader, I know I've professed my love for about ten different sock yarns, but honestly, Tofutsies has to get the #1 slot. For merino/superwash, I'd go with Lorna's Laces or the local Misty Mountain, both available at the Loopy Ewe. Heck, if all else fails, if you can buy it there, I'll like it. Wick is the only worsted weight sock yarn for me, although I might be trying some others in the holiday knitting rush, which I do believe is upon us. The simple fact is, I love wee little skinny sock yarns. I want to try them all.

Lace is also working its way into my heart, but we have a problem; I'm fickle and want a fast, but passionate fling with my works in progress. Lace? She's a demanding mistress. She wants my full attention, my time, and to Mugsy's chagrin, a lot of my lap space too. She's what the boys call high maintenance, and ask my bigger than a wallet felted bags and baby blankies where that will get ya'. I'm high rent but not high maintenance, so lace is happening on my terms. (Read: Some of you will be getting pictures of your intended holiday gifts instead of the items.)

I have questions too. Why did my new-found joy in one LYS get dosed with cold water today? Do they really not want to sell me more yarn because I haven't brought in a finished project from their stock yet? (I swear. I wouldn't lie to you. That's about word for word what the lady said, in the 14 seconds she took away from her friends at the table in the back. I need to finish up something(s) with the yarn I've purchased there so I can buy more. 'Scuse me? Me and my yarn appetite walked out without even a good-bye. There's a Fiber Festival this weekend, you know!)

Do you (specifically, Anne) know how hard it is for me to not to share a cool work in progress with y'all? I'm learning new skills, trying a new yarn, and keeping it to myself is killing me. I know you'll love the bag, because I'm already thinking maybe I need one for me too...

And now, I have to walk away from this idiot box, so that knitting can actually take place.

Froggin, a Monkey, Harmony and a Penguin

Well, after about a dozen false starts, my poor Sock it to Me pal has a sock in progress. Recognize it? Yep. It's a Monkey. I'm really enjoying the pattern, and the way the Knitpick Memories is working up in it. And yes, those are DPNs you see. Turns out I miss the little buggers when I stay away too long. They're the Addi 2.50 mm #1s I bought during the Sockza crisis. I like them too, but I think I'll be buying the lot of the Knitpick Harmony needles. Every size, every style... Seriously.

Guess what?! That color is also as close to accurate as I can get. It's a fun colorway, and I do hope it will please my pal as much as it is coming to please me. (For those of you serving as my confessors, pause for the SNOL at the irony of that statement. You've earned it.)

Of course, I couldn't stay away from Summer Daze. (More irony; it was in the mid-40s this morning. No Indian summer happening here.) If you click on the photo, you can see my happy, beloved Harmony circs. Honestly, had I ordered a larger size (these are wee 2.25 mm #1s), I think I would carry them around and/or wear them in my hair. They're that pretty, even with the diminished colorations in the wee needles. I'm not a metal girl anymore. I suspect my tried and true metal KnitPick Options will alway have their purposes (wool?), but these lighter, warm, little works of art have my heart. A couple of reviews on the Tofutsies group have challenged their use with variegated yarns, and I don't think you can get more colorful than this one, and I had no trouble at all. Now, I will have to set this treasure aside and focus - FOCUS! - on the socks with a deadline.

Friday night, I made an attempt to channel my inner scrapbooker. She wasn't quick to come out, but she did join hands with my not-so-inner shopper and swipe a couple of baby-related items so I can (get this - multi-crafting!) scrap my photos of the babies and blankies I've connected with my gifts this year. She did leap to the front of the bus during this little project. I love to journal in my scrapbooks, so a cute journal box is always a hit. My sweet consultant punched and cut out all of the pieces for each of us, so all we had to do was follow along with the adhesive of choice, but he's a doll. My stepson likes "pingwings" so it will go somewhere on a page about him.

Beauty is Needles

I hope you're able to see this photo well enough. If not, proceed to Knitpicks site NOW.

Stop reading. Seriously.

Back? Cool. You know I'm a very loyal metal needle gal, but COME ON! How can you not rush to try these little works of art? I've ordered the 2.25mms, and folks, that means my Tofutsies are getting set aside until these arrive - maybe. The points look nice and sharp, and if I like the wee ones, you'll be the first to know, and I'll start trying the Options sizes too. (And ordering more wee little sock sizes in the fixed circs.) I also ordered the yarn for my Sock it to Me pal's socks. That'll teach the Knight to leave me alone on a Friday night.

ParaSox, Devon's Contest and More

There. FINALLY. A pair of socks! Yeah, the yarn's the same dye lot, and I'll show a close-up of the differences in the leg in a bit. There's also very nearly a whole ball left (want ball winder - NEED ball winder for birthday... someone tell Mark, please?!), but for my first pair, better safe than sorry. And yes, I'll be casting on in dpn tomorrow. Tonight, I'll eat dinner and email, and maybe cast on for my first hat, which will be for the Charmed Knits KAL. I'll be a good Ravenclaw and make my own colors first, mainly because it's time for something without green or pinks or tans.

I've been having a GREAT time chatting with some of the awesome knitters in my groups for the Spring Felted Bag Exchange and the Spring/Summer Dishcloth Exchange. Once again, I must tip my cap to the knitting community of the online variety. Kind, engaging, wonderful folks you are! So, in my efforts to be a good hostess, here are my answers to the questions *MY* great pal and hostess for the SSDE, Devon asked:

(Note: A little trick I learned checking my group's blogs yesterday... A visual tag helps find contest entries!)

What is one baked item you love making or buying and why?-

Tough, tough, and YOU know it, Madame Hostess!! Love making?? Grandma Vallie's Strawberry Cake, because the inlaws swear it tastes just like hers, and the compliments will sustain me for weeks.

What is one item you love to knit and why?-

Socks! They're challenging, small enough that Mugsy can still sit in my lap, and quick enough that I don't get bored.

Favorite outdoor activity and why?

Walking and/or playing fetch with Mugsy. I love being outside, and walking is about all I can still do. Sharing it with the only other being in my house who enjoys exercise makes it great fun!

and lastly --Favorite way to relax?

Yoga. Most recently, Zoe's meditation session at the end. (I always poo'd meditation, swore it didn't work for me, etc., but that's the problem with having a friend's little sister as my yoga instructor; she's very comfortable telling me to just try it, and I feel obliged to try.)

And continuing with the contests, SFBE's current offering:

Where you live, what signifies the beginning of Spring? A favorite flower blooming? Snowmelt? Pollen (Cough cough, gak, here in ATL, thanks) Post something up describing how you knew 'Spring had Sprung' for you!

The first sign of spring, that it's REALLY here, are the crocus. However, my favorite flowers to see blooming are daffodils. There's nothing like a sea of yellow, fluttering gently in the breeze. The spring greens of the new leaves popping out are beautiful too... And then there's BASEBALL! When TBS begins showing the Braves at least a couple of times weekly, spring's sprung, and summer isn't far away.

Now, back to the socks. Here's the close-up of the legs, with the significantly different patterns/colors. That's called "pooling" on the left, correct? Anyhow, I love them, and would wear them tomorrow if it wasn't going to be nearly 80 degrees again. Sigh. Monday and Tuesday of this week, I was wearing clogs and socks. Dang! All in all, I'm proud of myself, and I don't hate Magic Loop, Anne. ;) I'm not in love with it as a way to knit socks, but I definitely don't hate it, and will be using it on my next little felted bag.

Now, I must sing the praises of Knitpicks. Not just the outstanding Options, but their whole company. My order arrived today, and in it were four precious balls of Ambrosia, in grass and mulled wine. (Two each color.) I did not order this yarn, and ironically, had been discussing alpaca yarn (and other things alpaca) with my husband's uncle, with whom I also work. I called, expected them to send a "will call" ticket and the yarn would be on its way back to them, but no, the sweet gal in customer service only wanted to know which colors I had, and then said for me to enjoy them. So... now what?! What do I knit up with my free yarn!?

Third Time's the Charm?

How many posts can I put up in one day? (Keep in mind I edited the first one to add that I wasn't flying away after all...)

I'm a bad friend. Not really, but my mind just isn't in the game today. No trip to Boston, my own state is now a terrible record-holder with the largest mass shooting in US history (obviously, the battlefields don't count?), and I still don't know about the students I know at VA Tech. That's enough to make anyone forget a few things, but I shouldn't have forgotten to sign up for another exchange! Check it out - The Bag Lady is also hosting a "Spring Into Summer" Dishcloth Exchange. I've fixed that, and now for penitence, I'm trying (in vain, thus far) to create a button for the cause.

Evidently, I've also committed a handicrafter's faux pas; mea culpa. My creations in the previous post were a dishcloth and a face cloth. Rags are not blessed with the expense of yarn or cotton, nor are they rendered with tender loving care. I stand corrected.

So, I've moved on to the mother inlaw's little felted bag, and the yarn worries me. I picked it before I'd even made my first felted bag, and I fear it will felt into a blob of ick, when really, I picked it because my mother inlaw loves purple and mauve. Will those colors even show up after felting? (Note to any of my exchange spoilers: *I* do NOT like purple or mauve very much at all, thanks much.)

That's the little 16 stiches by 20 rows for the bottom of the bag. Don't confuse the purple Knitpicks Options cord on the righ with the yarn, although it blends in nicely.

That's the yarn. It's call Himalaya, Queensland Collection, 100% wool. I found it in a basket on the floor at my LYS, and figured there was enough mauve and purple in it for my mother inlaw, but enough brown, creamy yellow and green for me not to get sick while knitting.

And there's the color change frequency. It's every couple of inches or so, since you can't really tell. Unless I get told it will be a muddy mess, I'll try it anyway. It shouldn't take long to do, and I have a dependable skein of Cascade 220 on hand in a nice blue, which I bought with me in mind, but I'd hand it over to my mother inlaw, since we are talking Mothers Day here.

I'm thinking this will be my last post for today, unless I do indeed figure out how to build a button for the exchange.

Spring Felted Bag Exchange Questionnaire

I doubt I get any traffic at all, but just in case someone wanders here unfamiliar with The Bag Lady, she's having an exchange. Check it out and sign up!

http://feltedbagexchange.blogspot.com/

Before I begin answering, I must confess that I almost emailed TBL and told her she knows all the answers, so she could just fill it out for me. (Yeah, that's the kind of friend I am.) However, she's swamped at work, so I'll be a good sport, even though she did have time to come up with a very long questionnaire!

1. How long have you been knitting? How did you learn?

Well, that's hard to answer. This go 'round, I've been knitting since very late November, 2006. However, I learned to knit as a girl, some 25-30 years ago.

2. What are your favorite yarns to knit felted bags with?

The only thing I've used so far is Noro Kureyon. Liked the results, but the feel of the yarn while knitting wasn't so hot. I have two other yarns in my stash for two more bags, but they keep getting pushed aside for more and more baby blankets.

3. What are your favorite needles to knit with?

Hands down, no contest, my Knitpicks Options. Otherwise, metal is a must!

4. What are the last 3 bags you knitted (include URL for Yahoo! or flickr album or your blog if you have them!)? You can also link to patterns if you don't have pictures of your finished objects!

http://chanknits.blogspot.com I've only done the two bags; see post #2, in March.

5. Do you carry the bags that you knit, give them as gifts, or both?

So far, they're both mine, but one yarn/pattern at home is for my mother inlaw. (Mothers Day is coming. I should get to work.)

6. What is your favorite felted bag that you have knit for yourself?

The Chan bag, but I like the Booga an awful lot too.

7. What are your favorite colors? Do you like bags in these colors or choose other colors?

Pinks, reds, greens, teals. Well, the Chan is done in greens/grays/teals, and the Booga is done in pinks, so I guess that answers that question.

8. Chocolate: White, Milk, Dark, or not so much?

DARK. The darker, the better.

9. Coffee, Tea, or Milk?

All of the above, but tea and milk much moreso than coffee. I need my mug of coffee after I get to work, then I drink green tea all day, and I have a big old glass of milk at night.

10. Do you prefer sweet or salty treats? What kinds?

I'm not much on sweets except for chocolates. I'm not much on snacks, except for popcorn.

11. If you went into Bath and Body Works and could only come out with one item, what would it be and what would it smell like?

Tiare Flower anything. Otherwise, anything Gardenia.

12. Do you enjoy any other crafts or hobbies? Do you collect anything?

Scrapbooking, cardmaking, cooking, yoga, walking... I used to collect rooster (not to be confused with chicken) things for my kitchen, and long ago, I collected teddy bears. Now, I think I collect yarn and loose tea.

13. Are there any bag patterns you have not yet knit, but hope to someday?

Anything entrelac. I like totes too.

14. What is currently OTN (on the needles) for you?

Two different blue baby blankets.

15. What is your most recent finished object before that?

A pink baby blanket. In my defense, they're all different patterns, different yarns, and I have so many more to do, because it seems that a lot of my friends are expecting.

16. What's cutest: Puppies, Piggies or Pixies?

Puppies, but I am rather fond of my toes, aka: piggies, this time of year. I lurvers me sandals and a pretty pedicure. I lived on a farm, so the other piggies aren't so cute to me. Pixies aren't even on my radar.

17. Do you enjoy reading? Books, Magazines, or both?

Both.

18. Do you have any children? (kid-kind or pet-kind apply!)

I have a stepson, not living with us. I also have two four-legged boys, both getting up there in years, Mugsy the crup/Jack Russell Terrier, and Fred, the Basset Hound.

19. What are some of your favorite yarns for other projects?

I don't know. I am almost obsessed with the need to learn to knit socks, but I have THREE baby blankets that must be done in the next couple of weeks. I also have cotton to do dishclothes too, but I don't know when I'll get done with blankies, and the two bags that want to be done.

20. And for the final question, one I see debated all over: Novelty Yarn: Love it! Hate it! or It depends!

I'm not much on it, but I do have a fun fur scarf to do for my sweet mother inlaw. At least it will fly off the needles quickly.

Baby Makes Three

And there's the start of blankie #3, on the #15 Knitpicks Options needles, in Lion Brand Baby Soft - Twinkle Print and Pastel Blue. Sadly, my lack of skill with the camera doesn't do Twinkle justice, but as the blanket progresses, I'll try again. I do like how quickly it is knitting up, so I think #2 will get set aside while I whip out #3. We'll have to wait and see though, once I get into the patterned part of #3. I like them both well enough, but I did have a certain friend in mind when I picked these yarns as opposed to the boucle in soft blue/green/yellow.

Here comes the basset hound, Fred, wondering why he hasn't even been mentioned, much less had a photo debut. (Could it be because you won't wear a sweater, my always hot big boy?!) So, to make Fred feel better, here's a favorite pose I call "beauty boy." Of course, Fred could have simply been coming to see if I was eating anything, but I think he knew he'd been slighted. I'll sleep better now, knowing both dogs have had a moment in the still very new blog.

Knitpicking Knitpicks

My only regret is that I didn't buy the set the day my husband first said, "Why don't you buy a set of these circular needles so we aren't always trying to get to town in time to buy the size you need." I love my Knitpicks Options. My only complaint is that in this age of instant gratification, the needles take a while to ship out. I realize I'm not the only knitter who decides at the 11th hour that she *MUST* begin a project immediately, only to be stuck waiting for the next layer of my Options to arrive. I mean, these babies aren't going to wait - blankie #1 still hasn't been delivered, 10 days after little Helen was born - so I really don't have time to wait on needles.

I'm hardly idle; despite all of the knitting time lost yesterday with the craziness that is life, I'm still moving right along on blankie #2. The problem is, blankie #2 isn't what I want to give at the shower in just a couple of weeks, and I need those #15 tips to arrive so I can get to THAT blanket.

Big pout.