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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.)

Favorite Things

As a part of the fourth generation of my inlaws' family business, I like to support other small businesses. As a woman, I like to support other women in business. It's also fun and easy to shop at a friend's store. Thanks to Etsy and the internet, the world is my oyster. Thanks to Jessi for being a great friend AND a wonderful indie dyer and stitch marker maker. (You may shop for your own here.)



Jessi and I worked out a little trade for the Chocolate Covered Grasshoppers yarn and the sweet dog-themed stitch markers. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do with the yarn, but I had to have it. It reminds me of mint and dark chocolate, which are two of my favorite things. The dogged markers are certainly right up my alley, and have been immediately elevated to favored status. Ironically, even Jessi doesn't know that shades very similar to THAT blue and green grace Fred's "dress up" collar and leash, which were hand-made by another basset hound owner/friend. It's funny how things work out that way.

Jessi also made some markers for the tea swap. When she shipped them to me, she also added a pair for each of the co-hostesses. There are more for sale

on her Etsy site, if you aren't done shopping for your tea pal! Folks, THAT is why I swap and host swaps. Yes, it's a lot of work, but there are so many rewards. Meeting Jessi was a blessing, but her friendship and support keeps growing. She not only joined the tea swap, but sponsored it, and thanked the hostesses with just the perfect gift! (Shhh... there are other gifts too, but I have to be sure Devon and Mary got theirs before I ruin any surprises. There's also another sponsor, but see the swap blog for more information.) Now, I can take my dogs and my tea with me when I'm knitting!

Now, if you'll excuse me, yet again, I must find something to knit while I wait on the yarn and needles for the next project. I guess I'll give the short row heel another try.

Owl Post

While I live in an area more like the Forbidden Forest than Hogwarts Castle, the owl still had no trouble finding me. After a bit of confusion brought on by my lousy attempt at sleuthing, Kit, my REAL Hogwarts Sock Swap pal, sent me the most wonderful Ravenclaw sock kit. That great silver thing in the center is a great Gargoyle bottle opener, who will be permanently placed on the deck, where he can guard the house from any creatures trying to sneak in from the woods, and so he can also open a chilled adult beverage as needed. (Or an old fashioned Coke in a green bottle.)

Lookee! Kit made not one, but TWO bags for me. In bag number one, we have the can't wait to be tried Knitpicks dpns, standing at attention in their own little compartment. Clever, eh? Hiding in the bag are more treats! Just look! See the stamp? Something from the Phoenix Gallery? Hmmmm.... I love Fawkes the phoenix, but I also adore Phoenix, AZ, so all Phoenix connotations are appreciated. And see those, there on the right? Those are the cutest, best designed travel scissors I've seen. Hubby will be so happy! He rolls his eyes when my knitting travels, because I don't carry my "good" very sharp scissors with me. THIS pair will travel with us and the sock on Wednesday for more road time knitting!

Bet you're wondering what's in the brown Phoenix paper, huh? The soap is incredible. (I'm a soap and smell-good potions and lotions kind of girl.) It's made from ground sunflower seeds and more, and I can't wait to try it. I like lavender a lot too, so it's just a great fit, all the way around. Ravenclawish soap. Bronzish sunflower, blue-ish lavender, and paperwork to read too. Yup. I'm a gooblette as Anne calls me. I actually read the whole thing.

Wanna know what's in the other bag? Can't tell. Then, you'd want me to share, and I don't want to. Lookee there. A sack full of Ravenclawed Lindt truffles. Oh my. (Ravenclaw tip: Chocolate is a nutritional supplement. Antioxidants and everything. It will have its own place in the food pyramid next time, especially if there are women rebuilding that pyramid.) I've already sampled one of each, because... I could. Since we are doing the whole virtual/electronic bit here, I can be gracious. Have one. (But just one, just in case I've under estimated your powers.)

Last, but hardly least, I'll get around to showing why it is called the SOCK KIT swap. Everything needed to whip out a pair of socks, including a pattern and some stitch markers. Love that pattern. Learning to cable has been on my knitting to do list since about January (as in, almost since I reconnected with my inner childhood knitter). Now, I *MUST*. After all, Kit sent this whole package, and it would be rude not to use the pattern she selected, right? Right. (Never mind that Kit is a delightful, understanding soul who would certainly be okay with me using the contents within as I see fit. Peer pressure works! I will cable before SoS is over!) That pattern is perfect. I see great socks I'll be able to wear with my favorite jeans and my brown clogs all winter long... Did I mention that I was thinking I wanted some simple, dangly stitch markers? Well, there they are. Some are plain, and some have a great little moon on them. Perfect, because I require stitch marker variety so that I don't get them all confused. (The end of row marker must be different from the others.)

So, thank you again Kit, for a Ravenclaw sock kit fit for a princess. I'm having a very hard time not casting on RIGHT NOW. I once was silly enough to think that I'd never have more than one project in the works at a time. Then came the spring and baby blankie stress happened. Then came socks, and I knew my knitting life would be empty without a sock to travel along on my travels. Now, I'm trying to keep myself in check and avoid starting twenty different projects at once! What's that Ravenclaw yarn? Shhhh... Of course I hear you. Just promise me my friends, that when I'm locked away because of the voices in my head, you'll smuggle in yarn and needles.

Bead-dazzled

Thanks to the internet and tracking information, I knew before I left work that there was Loopy goodness on my front porch. Two skeins of Misty Mountain Farm's Blue Ridge Yarn Jubilee in different colorways, and sweet Loopy herself there. I have one skein in front of me now, and honestly, I can't stop petting it. I won't give anymore details, as one skein is for my Sockza pal's socks, and the other is of course, for me. However, having calculated my yarn purchases from the Virginia Yarn Crawl, that might be my last Loopy purchase for a while. (Think? No Sue, you're right... I won't be able to help myself, but it sounds good to admit I have a problem and pretend I'm in control!)

This little pretty was also in the Loopy box. I love bracelets, so the idea of a row/stitch counter that I can wear while I knit in public really appeals to me. I swear, I think all of Mary's purple writing must be wearing me down, because I find the blues, teals and PURPLES in the bracelet very pretty. Now, if I can just figure out how to best utilize it...

This little happy marker was also in my Loopy box, illustrating another reason I love shopping at The Loopy Ewe. Customer service, little gifts with purchase, and the best selection of sock yarn out there... what's not to love?! Yes, I buy sock yarn elsewhere, especially in person, but Sheri is the best, and has a cute blog too. (Pssst! Wanna know a secret? Sheri gives some SERIOUS hints about the sneak ups on her blog!) Is it just me, or does that blue, purple, teal and silver look simply wonderful?

Speaking of the talented and dear Mary, a second package addressed to me waited on the porch. (There were actually FIVE packages, but they were for Mark.) I knew it was coming, but was expecting it tomorrow, and I most certainly was not expecting all of the wonderment within. Just look!

Those are the stitch markers I was expecting. I'm breaking my own rules here and posting about goodies going out to others, but I can't help it. All of you need to see this lady's talent and help me pester her into business! I tried making stitch markers, and all I'm going to say is that the remainder of my starter kit is heading out to Mary later this week. It's the very least I can do for the incredible array of stitch marker awesomeness that arrived at my house today.

I was kinda' expecting these gems, as I'd shamelessly sent Mary a whole string of the milifori beads not long ago. Note the happy little sage green ribbon - one of my favorite shades of green, one of my favorite colors! I am so blessed to have found so many talented, generous, kind, friendly knitters online. So much for boring, dreary Mondays at my house. Second Monday in a row with outpourings of knitterly goodness on my front porch, and I still don't even know the name of one of the dear souls responsible for the great gifting...

Mary sent two sets of the milifori markers, and these, for me. I'd apologize for all the photos, but I know you want to see them all too! Aren't they sweet? I only wish I was more suited for something so pretty and classically ornate, but I'll enjoy feeling elegant and loved when I use them - all of them. The queen of charm bracelets is fast becoming a lavish stitch marker collector, all by the kindness of others!

There were three more sets in my little package (good things really *DO* come in small packages!), but I've changed my mind and will reveal them later, as they are gifts. I had to show you the purple dice though, which I suspect will be Blume's Accessories signature item, as they are very Mary, at least until she can convince her hubby to move! ;) So everyone, feel free to leave comments here, as Mary drops in for a cuppa' and some reading with her crocheting regulary, or pop on over to her own blog and tell her how badly you need her to set up shop somewhere online, post-haste, so you too can own your own Blume's Accessories custom-made with you in mind stitch markers!

Yummy Stitch Markers

Now that Devon and Anne have their packages, I can tell you that these lovelies came from the gal who just opened this Etsy store.

These are Anne's red velvet cake markers. The woman is insane for red velvet cake, so when I saw them, I knew she *NEEDED* some!

And since Devon is a pastry chef (how lucky am I to be able to boast that I have a friend who is a pastry chef?!), I knew she'd appreciate these eclairs too.

Tossed in just for me, as a bulk-buyer's gift I suppose, was little little cutie. I'm not wild about buys, but I do enjoy using this one as a marker. She just brightens up whatever project she graces!