Hedera Wanna-Be's and a Fairground or Two

posted by...ssssssssss


hedera w-bs and fairgrounds, resting on a nest of habu silky mohair, in their FO glory...

Socks have been my addiction for quite a while now. This weekend I finished these Hedera-wannabees, bringing my 2006 grand total up to 23 individual socks completed. I will admit to having a slight knitting problem (if you want to call it that): I am physically incapable of actually following a pattern as written. These Hederas? Not really Hederas, not at all. So how do they differ from Cookie’s fantastic pattern?


oooh, h-w-b's, how i love you, even though your sherbet-y brightness burns my eyes...

First thing, I used a completely different gauge – ended up with 52 stitches around, except right around the heel, where I added a few stitches to balance my weird foot shape. I used Socks That Rock Mediumweight, my new fave. Having that many fewer (many fewer, can that possibly be right?!?!?) stitches caused the pattern itself to change, as I could not get a stitch count that worked. So, I fudged. I actually fudged quite a few times, both on paper and on the needles, until my fudge tasted good – you know, smooth and chocolatey. Due to the gauge issues, these socks are not completely in pattern – both sides of each sock have a double-purl-ktbl section, so there are wide panels running up the sides of each leg without the lacey pattern. In conclusion, the “Hederas” I made are so far removed from the originals, that I am a bit hesitant to call them Hederas, as I do not wish to offend Cookie too deeply (because she is a fantastic pattern-writer – it’s not her, it’s me…). So Hedera-wanna-bes it is.

Second, I did them toe-up, of course, cuz I LOVE TOE UP KNITTING, and, unless completely and totally necessary, will not do cuff-down socks (one of the reasons I have not yet cast on for the Pomotamous socks, even though I am in utter love of NeuroKnitter’s Poms; I am not sure they will easily translate to toe-up-i-tude).

Third, no heel-flap heel for me – I did a short-row heel, which is much more fun (RE: easy) to do, if you ask me. I do need to do some general tweaking on the idea in order to have perfect heels for my imperfect feet, but I am working on that.

I also FINALLY took photos of the Fairgrounds socks. They turned out cute as hell, if you ask me.


these poor things look washed-out next to the Sherbets, but on their own, they shine, shine, shine

I have also been plugging away at my Wedding Shawl – as of Monday night, I have only two rows left to do, and then the interminable bind-off. Blocking to commence by Thursday, and I will be good to go. Speaking of the wedding, we have less than two weeks to go – whoa. We leave for Big Sky Country on Monday the 26th, and I cannot wait to get there, see my folks, immerse myself in friends and family…Whoo-hoo! And Yeee-Hawww!!


loving this habu silk-mohair blend and loving the evelyn clark pattern (from Wrap Style)

Amazing Lace X-treme Challenge #2!

post by Wool Girl.......







Yarn and Supplies for Amazing Lace Knitting Project: X-tremely Expensive









Coffee and misc caffeinated beverages needed to drink while I knit my Amazing Lace Knitting project: X-tremely Ridiculously Expensive (but X-tremely yummy and X-tremely needed in this venture)!







Movie rentals needed while I knit my X-tremely expensive Amazing Lace Knitting project and drink my high-priced coffee and beverages: X-tremely Outrageously expensive (but, I must say, also X-tremely needed and in some cases, X-tremely Hot and X-tremely Sexy men in these flicks!)

Massive amounts of wine needed to counteract the effects of the X-tremely high content of caffeine consumed during my X-treme movie watching sessions, and the mistakes I am bound to make on my X-treme Lace Knitting project while watching Brad Pitt and various other sexy men on the movie screen, with their X-tremely hot bods, instead of fully concentrating on my X-treme Lace project as I should be doing: X-tremely unexpected (however, much needed as well)!

Having my animals pose willingly and happily with my X-treme Lace Knitting project on, and having them not care about my X-tremely ridiculous mistakes while knitting it under the effects of X-treme caffeine intake, followed by X-treme alcohol consumption, and the X-treme effects of watching hot, sexy men while trying to knit a lace project:

X-tremely Priceless (and X-tremely adorable)!

My Strange Little Mama

posted by julie (aka hools)

The only thing I have to say is, I LOVE THIS YARN!!!

I love the wide stripes and the colors and how it feels and how easy it is to work with. I'm making...you guessed it...socks! The yarn is Vesper sock yarn in the "Strange Little Mama" colorway. I purchased it while in Toronto at Lettuce Knit.

Knitting Soothes My Soul.....

post by wg

I have decided that knitting really soothes my soul. It actually does soothe my soul and my inner existence, like nothing I have found before. Just purchasing a skein of yarn, or taking an afternoon to knit with good friends really does make me feel better about life, about the day, about the moment, and about who I am.

For instance, I made a stop at one of the local yarn shops here in Portland the other day with NK, and found myself talked into purchasing a very lovely skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk yarn. I actually felt physically better after purchasing that yarn - really! I went home that night, feeling really good about things, very positive, extremely energized, and ready to knit, by God! Is there anything else that can create these feelings of just extreme "goodness" in the soul? I haven't found anything yet, except maybe a really good foot massage or back rub. But even then, you don't come out of that with a skein of yarn and a finished product, or the ability to knit, so not even those things can compare, really.

So I've decided that I'm going to knit socks with this skein of Handmaiden Sea Silk yarn. Yes, Socks! Socks just for myself, just to wear around this summer, really special socks. And of course, I have already started them! Here's a brief look at my "good for the soul" socks:


































And the fabulous skein of yarn these were born from:
















I say that in everything you do, in each step you take in life, you should follow your heart and your soul. Do things that make you happy, things that make your soul happy, things that bring a smile to your face, and joy to your life. And if that includes purchasing expensive and luxurious yarn, well, then, you must do it!

KNITTERS IN PUBLIC SPOTTED IN PORTLAND, OREGON!

On June 10, 2006, which just happened to be World Wide Knit in Public Day, three knitters were spotted knitting in public. (All faces are slightly disguised as to protect privacy).








One knitter agreed to show us how speedy she truly is....

Look at her fingers in action!















We also caughter her making some very important knitting calculations...we had no idea knitters were also mathematicians!

















Of course, they really have to be in order to work on such complex sock projects!















We also found out that these knitters really enjoy their desserts to the extreme! You go knitters!

June 10th - Worldwide Knit in Public Day

Just a reminder to all of you knitters out there that today, June 10th, is WorldWide Knit in Public Day. This means that, whether you are alone or with a group of knitters (or even with a group of non-knitters as long as you promise to convert them later), you need to knit in public! Knit something in public! Get out there people! Show the World what knitting is all about! KNIT ON!

socks to the left of me, shawls to the right...

Posted by....sssssss

Updates

1. Fairgrounds, done. (no photo)
I need to stage a photoshoot for these socks, because they turned out purty darned cute. As I stated previously, I opted not to use the STR Socks Club included pattern, and instead trolled through Sensational Knitted Socks for a suitable lace-type design, to begin my Amazing Lace journey. I casted on the toes the Sunday before Memorial Day, and used that evening to knit away while watching Pirates of the Caribbean (yummy, Johnnny Depp, yummy, Orlando Bloom), and made some remarkable progress. I turned the heels while barbequeing with some good pals, and finished the pair on Friday night. Yeah, less than a week. I am a bit amazed at the rapidity of the progress, and am not quite sure how in the heck it happened, but I am not one to question the knitting godess. Sure, I was using STR mediumweight, and realized that I needed no more than 52 stitches around to make a great-fitting sock, but an entire pair in less than a week?!?!?!?! I am still reeling with the insanity, people.

2. Sherbet Hederas, in progress.







These are amazing. I love the STR mediumweight, LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT, and the Hedera pattern (thanks, Cookie!) is fantastic. NK is making some Hederas; our friend Iris is making Hederas, and the pattern just seemed so perfect for my second Amazing Lace-ery, that I decided to just do it. Sure, there were some fits and starts. I got a few inches in to both socks (cuz OF COURSE I changed the pattern around to do two-at-once, toe-up) and had to take a little vacay to the frog pond (too many stitches). I then laid awake for way too long on Saturday night, working some math in my head (what was I thinking? i am no math-geek) and tackled the project again on Sunday while heading to the outlet mall with my baby, realizing after a few inches that, no, my math was not working correctly, and in fact, I was going to have un-centered socks. So, back to frog-ville once again I wandered. That evening, I finally figured out just what in the hell I was doing, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. In fact, I should be turning some heels real soon. Oh, and, did I mention how amazing this yarn is?



3. STR Lemongrass Elfine Socks (linking problems), toes complete. Not much to say about these right now - toes are cute, for sure, but not so exciting.




4. Wedding shawl, halfway done. (no photo)

As far as the previous post, i am trying to figure out some flicr-post-a-bilities, and crashed and burned on that attempt. Whoops!

STR Lemongrass Elfine toes

STR Lemongrass Elfine toes
Originally uploaded by ShannonSq.

The Meaning of Fairground....

posted by wool girl

fair·ground (fârground)
n. Open land where fairs or exhibitions are held.

This definition was not enough for me. To me, it did not describe the true meaning of Fairground, or the exact feeling and essence the Blue Moon gals were trying to get across when they created this richly appealing and colorful yarn.

To me, this yarn states something different. It states cotton candy and caramel apples. It states riding the ferris wheel at night, when the sky is illuminated with only the lights from the fair. It states 4-H and pigs and sheep, hens and chicks, and rabbits. It states art exhibits and pie competitions, the haunted house and the big yellow slide. To me it means much more than "open land where a fair is held". It's the feeling you get when you are about to ride on the Zipper - that excited, yet sick to your stomach feeling. It's the feeling you get when you're watching Kenny Rogers or the Doobey Brothers perform in the open pavillion, where thousands of others are cheering them on while drinking a Bud Light. This feeling you can only get at a fair. (I think you can only see the Doobey Brothers perform at a fair also, so that adds to the excitement and feeling of it all.)

To me, a fair states youth and games and popcorn. My memories include games of throwing a dime in a glass, knowing it would never land in that glass, but always hoping it would, by some slim chance, just so I could win that gigantic stuffed bear and get cheered on by my friends. There were also the "throw the dart at the balloon" games, basketball throwing events, and pretty baby competitions. Not to mention the dairy goat cheese contests, the jr livestock auctions, and the hot dog and pie eating festivities.

In knitting this Fairground sock, I wanted to give it a Fairground feel. I wanted to make it fun and festive and memorable. Most of all, I wanted it to remind me of the fair I had experienced as a child, and all the fond memories I still hold of the fair today.

So, without any further rambling on, here is my first Fairground sock, shown in many lights (please note, I did not follow the pattern that came with the yarn this time, as I wanted to express myself differently with this one). I used the Baby Cable Rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks and included a picot edging on the top of the sock. Also, I ended the socks just at ankle length, as I'm beginning to realize that I love my socks this length. Very comfy, simple, cute and easy to wear!















































Oh, how these remind me of the fair! :)

Baa Baa McGee Reporting from Phoenix, Arizona on the newest contestant in the Amazing Lace!

written by Baa Baa McGee with commentary from Kitty McGillicutty

Baa Baa:
Baa Baa McGee reporting here from the sunny desert hills of Phoenix, Arizona. I'm here at the Westin Kierland Resort, surrounded by oversized cactus plants, fresh budding lime trees, and the scent of rosemary and sage continuously lingering in the air, and I'm highly determined to track down the newest contestant in the Amazing Lace....Wool Girl. We just received word that Wool Girl would be joining the Amazing Lace, along with a secret teammate, and wanted to be the first on the scene to get the scoop, the full scoop, and nothing but the scoop.

Before we begin, though, let me introduce my colleague, and most trusted wool source, Kitty McGillicutty. Kitty is a top notch reporter in the land of knitting and always seems to "measure up" the story each and every time. Kitty, can you give us a few words on the wearabouts of Wool Girl, and what we might be able to expect from her in the Amazing Lace this year?

Kitty:
Hi Baa Baa. Always good to see you and glad to be working with you on this story. I just arrived in Phoenix this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Wool Girl as she checked into the Westin Resort, but with the crowds and heat, it's been pretty difficult. As you know, Wool Girl is originally from Portland, Oregon, and is part of the We Heart Yarn dream team there. She travelled to Phoenix this week to take part in an MS conference, so we thought we would take this opportunity to catch her in prime knitting action whle she's listening to some workshops or lounging by the pool. So far, it's been next to impossible, as Wool Girl seems to be pretty persistent about avoiding the cameras.

Baa Baa:
Thanks for the report, Kitty. Any thoughts on what project Wool Girl might be working on for the Amazing Lace, and who her teammate might be?

Kitty:
Not yet, Baa Baa. We've had our most trusted reporting team trying to get a sneak peak, but just haven't been able to do so yet. We'll keep you updated.

Baa Baa:
Thanks Kitty. I'll check back with you later.

Now, on to finding out where Wool Girl might be hiding. I think I'll start by
going right to the most obvious source, her hotel room! Maybe we'll be able
to find her there.

(Knock, Knock, Knock!) Baa Baa knocks on Wool Girl's hotel room door. There is no answer.
Baa Baa slowly turns the knob on the door, finding it unlocked, much to his suprise!

Baa Baa: Obviously there is no answer here, but the door is slightly ajar,
much to my suprise, so, I think I'll pop my head in to see if there's anything
I can find out while I'm here.

Hmmmm....It looks like she has not slept in the bed yet, as the bedding
hasn't even been disturbed.














The same with the bathroom. No towels used, no water in the shower,
no sign of Wool Girl or her teammate.














But, ah ha! She has been here, as the it looks to me like she
has been on the internet, planning out her secret Amazing Lace strategy!



Let's check in with Kitty to see if she has any updates...Kitty?














Kitty:
Hi Baa Baa. I'm standing at the entrance to what is called the Luxury spot of this resort, the Agave Spa. We have received reports that Wool Girl was spotted here just minutes ago. Let's head over to the spa and pool to find out.















Looks like no sign of Wool Girl here at the pool or spa, Baa Baa.

Must have been a faulty source who reported Wool Girl was just here. Very disappointing news. How are things going in Wool Girl's room? Any more clues to her whereabouts, Baa Baa?

Baa Baa:
Well, Kitty, I'm standing next to what looks like a wine glass in Wool Girl's room, and apparently it has recently been used for drinking wine, but our experts are checking that out. It looks like we're very close to determining where Wool Girl is.


Just then, the door to the room opens, and Wool Girl walks in, suprised to see a group of reporters, led by Baa Baa, in her room. But, she has been interviewed by Baa Baa in the past, and is not at all suprised that he has snuck in her room to get the entire scoop on this story. She agrees to interview with him briefly about her Amazing Lace debut.

Baa Baa:
Breaking News! Just moments ago, the famous knitter Wool Girl let us into her hotel room in the luxurious Westin Resort. Wool Girl has decided to enter the Amazing Lace this summer, and we thought we'd get the entire story for all of the dye hard knitters out there.

So, Wool Girl, tell us what you've decided to work on for the Amazing Lace this year, and who this, so called, teammate of yours is.

Wool Girl:
Well, Baa Baa, let me first say that I'm so happy and suprised to see you here in Phoenix. And, let me say how excited I am to be part of the Amazing Lace this year. It promises to be an exciting time in my life, with an awesome outcome. My teammate this year,
who I happened to meet accidentally at Knit Purl last fall, is the
beatiful and talented Lagoon Socks that Rock lightweight100% Superwash Merino.
We bumped into one another one afternoon, by mistake, actually, and haven't been able to part since.
Her colors are just exquisite, and she makes such a statement with everything she does. I couldn't not choose her for this adventure - it just wouldn't have seemed right somehow.

The project we'll be working on is the ever popular Kiri shawl from the All Tangled Up website. Kiri holds a special place in both my heart and in Lagoon's heart, as we started her last fall, and weren't able to finish due to other knitting committments. We both have been longing to work together on this project ever since, and this is such a great opportunity to do just that.

Baa Baa:
This is great news, Wool Girl, as I'm sure knitting fans out there will be excited and anxious to see the progress from you and Lagoon this summer. Do you think Kiri would mind taking a pose for us in the state she's in? I realize she's only just begun, but we'd love to catch a glimpse of her anyway.

Wool Girl quickly converses with Kiri about posing for the camera.

Wool Girl:
Kiri is fine with that Baa Baa. Just as long as you get her good side. She's very touchy about making sure you get her good side.

Baa Baa is very excited, as Kiri enters the room. They spend a few moments taking the picture of Kiri.

Baa Baa:
Ok, Wool Girl. We've really appreciated you taking this time to answer our questions about the Amazing Lace, and again, we all look forward to seeing you and Lagoon in action.

Just one more question, though. I know how much you do not want to be in front of the camera, but I do hope that you will consider posing with me for the camera, as I really am a fan of the We Heart Yarners, and would love to have a photo just for myself.


Wool Girl smiles, in her shy way and poses for the camera.

Wool Girl:
Only for you, Baa Baa, only for you!











Wool Girl, Baa Baa, and Kiri

Amazing Lace #1: Meet Team Julie

Posted by Julie

Members of Team Julie include me (that's Julie) and two team members. I have two members because I'm an insatiable workaholic and cannot get enough of knitting. I'm also a little scattered at times and have difficulty deciding what to do next. Besides multiple on-going knitting projects, I am also usually reading more than one book and can carry on several conversations at once (especially when instant messaging). (I try not to do that multiple conversation thing in person because others tend to think it's a bit rude.) In this picture I've just returned from running 5 miles and then visiting a LYS to buy STR yarn. That's Tess, my golden retriever, greeting me.

My day job is psychology, my side job is a private practice, and at all times I am a wife, friend, sister, pet owner, homeowner, runner, knitter, movie lover (goes well with knitting), cook, gardner, reader, chocoholic, and fountain of ideas. (I am currently trying to figure out a way to get free or low cost yarn, needles, and patterns because I want more of these things than I can afford right now.) My favorite color is purple, my favorite sound is my cat purring, my favorite flavor is chocolate (followed closely by caramel), my favorite texture is soft and furry, and my favorite smell is rose. I love the potential and challenge of new knitting projects and consider myself a process knitter (vs. a project knitter). To me, it is all about the enjoyment of knitting, not whether I can wear or use the finished product.

Please meet my first team member, a lace wrap made with Sundara's Aran Silky Merino in Twilight. I looked through several books and all over the internet for the perfect project and ultimately decided that this incredibly soft yarn would make a splendid wrap. The pattern I chose is a modification of Branching Out, a scarf pattern from Knitty.com. Because the scarf would not have been wide enough, I've repeated the lace pattern with a yo, s1 k2tog psso, yo pattern between lace repeats. (That's another thing about me...I rarely follow patterns the way they are written.) I'm using size 11 needles and expect the wrap to be "wrapped up" in a few weeks. Thus, the need for another team member.

My tag-along member is the Storm Water Shawl made from Sea Silk. I picked up the Sea Silk while in Toronto last week and can't wait to start knitting with it. I have no idea what the name of the colorway is, since there was no indication of the name on the label, but it is a wonderful combination of pink, peach, beige, lite blue, and grey. It makes me think of sunset at the beach. Of course my knitting would be lonely without Gracie watching over it.

Another Amazing Lace...Take one!

Challenge #1 posted by Gail (aka NeuroKnitter)

My father wasn't in prison (nor was my mother!), I wasn't raised by my grandfather (although that might have been kinda fun as he had a very cool wood shop and was a coffee connisseur, but I digress) and I know what calamari is although I won't eat it and being from the Pacific NW I also know that the 'l' in salmon is silent!

So, without further ado, please let me introduce you to Team Pacific NW!!

The human, on a good day, is me. I'm Gail, also known as NeuroKnitter on this blog. Why neuroknitter you might ask? I am a research scientist in a multiple sclerosis research laboratory in Portland, OR. My husband and I are dyed in the wool Oregonians (heh-heh, couldn't help it, so sorry). I have been knitting for 15 years and spinning for around 13 years (3 spinning wheels and 7 hand spindles...you know you want to know!). I love the more traditional knitting styles and to satisfy my need for immediate gratification I am an insatiable sock knitter. Although I am new to lace knitting, I believe I have chosen a team mate whose very nature is similar yet complementary to my own. I firmly believe that we can handle all the challenges that come our way!

Please, let me now take the opportunity to introduce my team mate, "Trellis Scarf" from the Spring 2006 IK. She is designed by the amazingly talented Evelyn Clark. I am using a lovely natural gray alpaca fingering weight yarn for this project. This yarn was purchased especially for this project from McKenzie Alpaca Breeders in Springfield, OR.

Although we have known each other only since Spring 2006, we are well prepared for this challenging summer of the Amazing Lace. We know where all the coffee vendors are located for emergency resuscitation services secondary to frogging. We have recorded the coordinates for all the 18 or so yarn stores in the area so that we can triangulate and locate all fiber destinations (blindfolded on a rainy day with one hand and one needle held behind my back...believe me...really) at a nanomoments notice from anywhere in the greater Portland metropolitan area. We have spare needles in case of breakage. We have extra yarn. I have a camel pack so that I can drink (no, I'm NOT going to tell you what I load it with!) and knit without ever leaving my chair. And lastly, I have Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones' Diary in my video vault for hours of uninterrupted Colin Firth entertainment while knitting (that's for you WG!!).

If my team mate should prove to be unreliable during the competition, I have an understudy waiting in the wings...the Diamond Fantasy Shawl designed by Sivia Harding. The references for DFS are strong and I think she'll be able to complete the challenge with me if called upon.

This brings me to our team name, as I am from the Pacific NW, Ms. Clark also lives in the Pacific NW, and the alpaca yarn hales from the Pacific NW, it was obvious that our geography was the glue that would be holding us together, come heck or high water, throughout this event.

Let the games begin!!