Mossy Scarf #knitting (Taken with instagram)

Mossy Scarf #knitting (Taken with instagram)

Tags: knitting

A beautiful colorway for a good cause

A beautiful colorway for a good cause

Stitches West 2012

Wow! Trying to blog while your 5 month old is teething isn’t so easy. Anyway, here are a few photos from Stitches.

Friday was a great day! I took Alden and met a friend whom I hadn’t seen in several months. The market floor was bustling, and everyone was friendly as well as tolerant of my stroller driving. (Of course, I would expect no less from fellow yarnies.) Heather and I bought some yarn-holdy bags from Yarn Pop, and I purchased Ysolda’s two new books, Whimsical Little Knits 3 and Saturday Treat.

I had a great time wandering about and chatting with friends, and Alden got to flirt with lots of ladies and give lots of smiles. However, I left the convention that day feeling a bit overwhelmed by the blur of yarn, books, patterns, designers, fiber accoutrements, and YARN…so much so that I felt the need to go back to get my knitting head on straight.

Deciding to skip Saturday and return on the quieter Sunday, I was hoping to achieve the peace of mind that alluded me. (Sounds weird, I know.) Sans wee one and with the crowd much diminished, I had more time to browse and converse with the booth workers. I met the makers of my inherited Clemes & Clemes castle wheel and got some much needed spinning wheel oil. I then proceeded to Anzula where a luxurious braid of gray, baby alpaca fiber floated into my hands, like a dream, and wouldn’t be left behind. I finally got the Offhand Designs ”Daisy” bag I’d been eyeing for a couple of years…at one-third off the normal price. JOY! (Apparently, they are no longer making this style, so if you want one, you should probably see to that soonish.) I stopped and chatted with the good folks of Bobbin’s Nest Studio and grabbed up two of the new Lulu Bliss patterns as well as some Hazel Knits-Artisan Sock yarn in “Cherry Fizz.” (I plan on “Trixie Cowl” being my next project!) Last but not least, I got to speak with one of my favorite designers, Ysolda Teague, and purchase the yarn for patterns “Walnut Whip” and ”Barley Sugar.” It was quite helpful to try on the samples in her photo booth and see the style and colors before ever casting on. Cool!

I left about an hour before the closing of Stitches West 2012 feeling inspired and confident. I’m so glad I went back a second day!!

With the approaching Stitches West, I am reminded of how I wish I were rich, so I could buy as many of these needles as I please. (Boy, that’s a lot of “I“‘s.) Perhaps, I’ll get just one, teeny, little pair/set this time?

With the approaching Stitches West, I am reminded of how I wish I were rich, so I could buy as many of these needles as I please. (Boy, that’s a lot of “I“‘s.) Perhaps, I’ll get just one, teeny, little pair/set this time?

I love-love-LOVE this Beekeeper’s Quilt from Tiny Owl Knits!!! What a great way to use up sock yarn and have lots of travel-friendly, mini projects to make one grand, finished piece! And even if you don’t get around to final assembly, you can still have a basket full of hexipuffs! Joy!!!

This is a one skein scarf knit in a simple lace pattern and oh so lovely! I gave it to me Mom, and now I want one in a blue-green color for myself.

The pattern is NobleKnitsRustic Lace Scarf.

Finally! Here are some pics of Alden’s winter ensemble. I knitted them mostly because we were making a Christmas trip back home to the mountains of Virginia. The hat came in very handy, especially on our outing to Floyd and Chateau Morrisette, and he wears the crap out of those booties! However, the mittens have yet to serve their purpose. Right around the time for our trek back East, he began cramming his hands (and anything else he could get a hold of) into his mouth…constantly…,so I have yet to let him wear them. I mean, who wants to suck on wool yarn? Yuck! As such, they remain in his coat pockets for safe keeping until “winter” here in San Jose is over or he outgrows them. Ah well…

The patterns are Ky Baby Ear Cozy Hat, Stripey Slippers, and Baby Mitts.

“The Sky Scarf”…what a neat idea!

“The Sky Scarf”…what a neat idea!

A Picture Says It All

My days are yet disorganized and mostly at the mercy of the 11 week old running the show, but my nights are still pretty normal. …Hanging out with my sweetie, lounging cats, and of course, KNITTING.

On this night, I am working on the wee lad’s winter accessories while watching The Last of the Mohicans on Blu-ray.

Knitty kitties never play with yarn.
(…but they do occasionally bite your needles if you poke them in the head too many times.)

Tags: cats Knitting

It’s “Shake and Bake,” and I Helped.

So, my little guy is nearly 10 weeks now and is becoming less easily contained. Trying to roll over and pushing off of things are what seem to be on his mind recently. He also tends to get restless with boredom if left in a seat or cushion for any amount of time since he lacks the hand control to really play with his toys yet. I’ve got a feeling that we have many days ahead of us with him in a carrier, attached to Mom, “helping” with the tasks at hand.

Back muscles, GO!

Everybody needs a pair of hand knit house slippers.