Before a Summer of Socks begins ...

I finally took a picture of my latest Shape It! scarf that I finished last week ...




I also finished Yoga/Dance Socks for a Christmas gift ...



They're for someone who does yoga twice a week and it AIN'T me!





And since they don't have toes and heels, they don't count toward the SOS2008 KAL, besides the fact that I started them before the "start date". So I finished just in time before SOS2008 began on Saturday!

Specs:
Needle - US 1 / 2.25 mm

Yarn - Knit Picks Dancing (1 skein)
Colorway - 23587

Pattern - Yoga/Dance Socks from The Little Box of Socks

THEN ...
I got my supplies together ...

and planned what to start first. Hey, did I tell you about this? This little dog tag I purchased from knitcellaneous. So neat ... a Kitchener reminder to attach to your knitting bag!


And then Saturday I cast on for Summer of Socks ... And you didn't think I was going to cast on for anything less than three different pairs of socks right? So I can have a change of pace when I need it right? They don't call me the StitchingNut for nothing!!

You may not see much of anything else for awhile other than socks or maybe a little lace perhaps ...


But I'll be reading my favorite blogs and occasionally take the time to comment. Something like "drive by" commenting perhaps. Rest assured, I'll be checking out what everybody else is doing also but trying to knit as many socks as I can before September 1st. Mind you, I may be missing in action in that case.

Okay it's time to go back to my sock knitting.

L = Lace & M = Magic for the Magic of Lace!

I couldn't help myself. I had to join L & M together for the ABC along.

My very first lace project was the Mystery Shawl that ended out be called Swan Lake ...

Which was this blob while I was knitting ...

Before it magically became this beautiful stole after blocking ...

And that is Magic!

Special sock patterns ...

are everywhere these days. Or so it seems. Usually I'll purchase a book of sock pattern like this one that recently came out. I have it in my hot little hands right now and believe me, it's a fantastic resource of sock patterns. I love it!

But occasionally I purchase a single pattern online when it's for a special cause. And this one ... Guided by Love Socks ... IS special. And I'm about to purchase it right now. Even if you're a Cat person ... you're going to love and want this one too. Go for it!

It's for sale on Ravelry ...

And all profits are being donated to charity!

Have you made your Summer goals list yet?

Skeins Her Way is having her Summer knitting goal's list contest!

So my list consist of: *[undated] {I forget a couple WIPs}

1. Knit at least 7 pairs of socks for the Summers of Socks 2008 KAL. One of those being a Christmas gift for my DD.

2. Complete the Hats I have planned as gifts for the grandchildren. I have one done so far and I only have five more to do. Yarn is just sitting there waiting.

3. Knit a sweater for the youngest granddaughter for Christmas along with the hat & slippers I've planned. [slippers are planned for the Fall not the Summer knitting] I think I'd like to make the sweater I saw in the latest Creative Knitting magazine. In pink!

4. Complete the Mystic Meadows stole I'm knitting [see picture below]

5. Knit a pair of earrings after each pair of socks I knit. [they only take 1 1/2 hours to do ya know]

6. And last but not least ... crochet at least 10 octagons each week for the bedspread.

*7. Finish the "All Ruffled Up" for Mom. It's her Christmas gift this year.

*8. Can I manage at least a few rows knitted to the Einstein Coat and the Modern Quilt Wrap?
[maybe not so much]

That might be all that I can handle in one Summer, you think?

Happy Father's Day!

I can't say I just knit this weekend ...
because we went to visit the Muchikin Gang in NH for Father's Day.
No time for knitting there.

Of course little JD is the leader of the gang ...













and she even has that goofy Grammy under her spell ...



But it was Mumma Mumma or

Ganpa, Ganpa ...
Hey Ganpa look at this ... was constantly being announced.

And even tho this plaque was on the wall as you walk in ...



Nor can you spank Grandpa either!

And Father's Day was topped off with the sweetest card from this little Muchikin Follower here ... Mersadese.

Her card to Grandpa Bill said ...

to: Grammpa
from: Mersadese

"What a kind grammpa Bill I have.
My hourt would be broken if I did not have you in my life.
Your the nicest grammpa Bill in the world.
To tell you the truth your the best one yet so I love you so much.
You make me laufh so much that you are the Love of my life."

Love, Mersadese

Wow, what a coincidence!
That's why I fell in love with him, Mersadese.

He makes me laugh!

It's in the Bag!

Sock yarn that is ...



By the way ... these little sock bags were made by HanaPurse on Etsy

I'm all ready for the Summer of Socks 2008 knitting. One little bag for an easier knit sock. Like in front of the TV or during Community Knitting night maybe. The other little bag is for a more complicated pattern that can also be done on the commuter train or in the morning when no one is talking to me. Ha, I will have one additional bag (my usual sock bag that was a gift from my friend Cindy in Canada) for the next sock to be started and I can just grab the bag with everything in it. When a bag is empty, it'll be filled with the next sock project.

Oh ya, I can't forget this sock bag ... now this is for the REALLY easy sock knitting!



This all doesn't even start until June 21st mind you. Good Gosh, I'm ready NOW. Well I do have some lace to work on. And a Einstein Coat ... and Shape It! scarf and ...

I'm ready to go knit!

Would a Yarn Fanatic in the North Shore Area be interested?

Seed Stitch Fine Yarn available part-time position:

We are looking for a skilled knitter and/or crocheter with sales experience to work Friday and every other Sunday. You must be cheerful, enthusiastic, willing to assist customers with their projects, and love people. Please come into the store to fill out an application. 21 Front Street - Salem, MA

I just got this in their newsletter and want to pass the word along to you.

If I wasn't so darn busy knitting on my time off, I'd apply for it. But I'm already teaching crochet there on 3 Sunday afternoons in July already. This is besides having a full time job at M.I.T. mind you. And not because I need the money [other than for stash splurging that is] ... but

I just love hanging out at Seed Stitch!

I would wilt in this heat too ...

I took pictures of my beautiful Peonies before the heat wave hit us and it's a good thing I did. They looked pretty sad under the heavy weight of the humid hot air we're getting when I was leaving for work this morning.





And the fragrance was divine ...

Of course the hugh Lamb's Ears plantings by my walk don't mine the heat. I love to reach down and pet their leaves. If you don't know this plant, find it. It doesn't have flowers but it gives interest to the garden and when planted near a border it's a "pick me up" to your senses when you "feel" the leaves.



Can't think of anything better to do when I'm not knitting, like playing in my garden. Unless ...

I have money to go shopping!!

Hot as H*LL and I've knit a Cape!

Now on display at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn on 21 Front Street in Salem, MA ... the Shoreline Cape! .

A Stitch Poet design by Champagne Maker.





And if you would like to see it in person or purchase the pattern, it'll be on display at Seed Stitch until December. The size runs on the small side. But it’s a good size for a small adult or teenager. Roberta from Seed Stitch tried it on so I could get some pictures. Looks pretty cute on her doesn't it?!

Pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Super Chunky which SSFY didn't have at the time so I used two Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Arans held together. Gauge is 3 stitch per inch with size 11 needle and that’s what I got in my swatch using the two Arans.

Check it out ...

Now who should I gift this too?

Summer classes for other than knitting?

p.s. There's a contest at Through the Loops!
Hope I win! But I'll be a sport and wish you luck also. Go ahead and enter!


Speaking of contests ... I think I'm going to have one. I'll let you know what it is end of June. My vacation is first week of July and we're staying at home. Making home our Vacation Destination! So I'll have a contest ... but it'll have nothing to do with vacations, LOL.


The next class I'll be teaching at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn, 21 Front Street, Salem, MA was just posted in their newsletter ... it's crochet [altho, not these little coasters].

Beginning Crochet -

In this 3-part class you will learn the single, half, double, and triple crochet while "hooking" a wave scarf. Crocheting is growing in popularity, and has become a complimentary embellishment for knitting. A fabulous skill to add to your repertoire!
Sunday afternoons, July 13th, 20th, & 27th, 1-3pm/$55

with Rhonda Culbert

And don't forget:

Hand Spinning and Dyeing with Marie Carney -How lucky were we to have a visit from Marie herself on Memorial Day weekend? Very Lucky!! Marie is a masterful spinner and professional dyer, as well as being the owner of Brooklyn Handspun. She will be returning July 12th 13th for a weekend of fun,fiber, and stirring up the pot with color. Saturday's workshop will consist of drop spindle and wheel spinning techniques followed by Sunday's workshop on both domestic and acid dyeing. 10:00-3:00 pm both days/$65 each day/$125 for both

Hey, look what I found while putting away Winter items ...

A Fun Fur scarf I knit 5 years ago!

Scary isn't it?!

[hey ... what do you mean; WHEN do I clean house?]

June's weather lore and K is for (what?) ...

From the Farmer's Almanac

June Weather Lore

When pigs carry sticks, the clouds will play tricks.

If the birds be silent, expect thunder.

When spiders’ webs in air do fly, The spell will soon be very dry.

When sheep collect and huddle, tomorrow will become a puddle.

When the glowworm lights her lamp, the air is always very damp.

Bats flying late in the evening indicate fair weather.

For more weather information, visit the Weather Center.

K = Knitting Needles, Knitting Supply Box or

Knitter's Ultimate Treasure Chest!

I present the Knitting Supply Box. Oh ... it looks like a briefcase huh?

It all pertains to a gift I received from a long time knitter who was unable to knit anymore. I still find this the most wonderful thing for a knitter to give another. Have you even seen anything like it? I hope to have someone special in mind to pass it along to some day. A long, long time from now of course. But to someone who will really appreciate it and get lots of use out of it also.

Open it up and just look at those Knitting Needles! All in one place. I know just where to find them and lots of other supplies needed for my knitting.



So all together ... What does K stand for?

Knitter's Treasure Chest!!