Check One Off the List

I'm making progress on the Christmas knitting.



Pattern: 3 A.M. Hat
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Continental Blue
Needles: Clover dpn size 10
Mods: None- this hat is a great quick knit. And it used about 1/2 a skein of Malabrigo. Quick and cute. Gotta love that.



Isn't it cute?!?!? I'm tempted to keep it. I'm looking a little bedragled. Sorry about that!

The other thing that happened is the last installment of the Sundara Yarn Petals Collection came.



Magnolia. This has been a great sock club. Sundara's yarn is lovely but so are the patterns and the packaging. I've really enjoyed each package.

Now I'm off to start the cooking!

Goals Update- Week 25

Wow, it's been a few days since I posted. I made it through my first term at school. New classes start tomorrow which include me heading into the hospital 3 days a week. And I have lots of reading to do.

1. Thin for Thirty- I bought a couple of things to help me get this going again- The Ultra Simple Diet and Alli. You've probably heard a lot about Alli. It's an FDA approved fat blocker. But if you don't change your eating habits, really unpleasant "treatment effects" occur. (mostly related to bathroom issues) So I'm using it as a training device to remind myself not to eat too much fat. And I'm going to do the 7 day Ultra Simple plan next week which includes eating a lot of vegetables, vegetable broth, and a nightly bath. I need a week to get everything prepared. This might sound a little extreme. But I really need to get headed in the right direction. And I only have 2 months to make significant progress before my birthday. I assure you, I'm not being unhealthy. And I will continue to eat. I'm just going to really focus on healthy habits.

2. Knit from my stash- No yarn purchased since school started! But I am getting sock club deliveries. Just like Peaknit, I might need a sock club intervention!

First, from Scout's Swag...



Kizkalesi. I love this deep teal color. And there's a pattern from Cookie A. included!!!! Very nice swag!

Next, The Petals Collection from Sundara...



Grape Hyacinth. The pattern that goes with this one is really cool too. There's cables and little sections that look like bunches of grapes.

STR Club for June....



Oh yeah! This one got sent to my old office. And I'm sorting it out with the BMFA ladies. I'm sure it'll get figured out one way or another.


Thanks for all your help on the destash! There's still some things left...

And Happy July! Have a safe and fun holiday!

Goals Update- Week 18

There's more than the goals to talk about today. This is going to be long and picture heavy. Sorry 'bout that!

Friday was the mail day to end all mail days. I received 3 (!) sock club packages and the new Interweave Knits. What a great way to start the weekend.

First, the Sunshine Sock Club.



The yarn is called Airy. And the pattern looks like cloud wisps! Dani does a great job of changing up her colorways. Such a pretty blue.

Next, the Petals Collection from Sundara Yarn.



It's called Dahlia and the color is amazing. I got a splotch of yellow in my skein to break up the orangey-red. I just love it. And isn't it cool how it looks just like the picture of the flower. Sundara certainly has a gift when it comes to color.

The first installment of the Yarntini Sock Club, which is run through Pure Knits, really delivered. At first I balked at the price of this club but this package was so fun to open. It never seemed to end!



The yarn is self striping in the Pure Breeze color. I love the two shades of blue playing off of each other. There's a project pouch from Misocrafty in the great Amy Butler fabric, stitch markers from Sarkasmo, SOAK wash in the aquae scent, lip gloss, and Lucy Neatby's book Cool Socks, Warm Feet. Now, I know this is the intro package and it has more swag than the next ones will. But what a way to start out.

The only problem I'm having is which yarn to cast on next!

And, I'm allowed to cast on because I have an FO! The Moorish Lattice Socks are finito!



Yes, my feet really are that big!



Pattern: Moorish Lattice Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks. This book never lets me down. I've made 2 or 3 pair from here and they always fit perfectly.
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Sock- Blue Lagoon from The Loopy Ewe. Seriously, Sheri is the best. If you haven't bought yarn from here go now!
Needles: Addi Bamboo DPN's in US#1
Mods: I couldn't do as many toe decreases as the pattern calls for because I was running out of yarn. But the socks fit just fine. So that wasn't a huge issue.

I love this yarn. The Fleece Artist is so soft and the colors melt together so well. I did notice that one sock is a lot greener and the other is more blue. But, since it's all one ball of yarn, I think it's the way the colors landed in the pattern. These might be my favorite socks so far!

OK- on to goals...

1. Knit from My Stash- I've been thinking about this. And since we all know I'll be more or less broke for the next year, I'm restarting the yarn diet when I start school. I've been basically ignoring the fact that I'm not supposed to be buying yarn that this goal has become almost a joke. So on May 29 there will be a new yarn diet with new rules pertaining to completion of school goals. Sound good? Good. Because I have one more skein of Yarntini headed my way and I don't want to be a cheater already.

2. Grad School- Classes start May 29.

3. Thin for Thirty- Again, I think this being broke thing is going to help. And not breaking up my workday with lots of snacks. I'm up to 32.6 on my Runagogo mileage. So I'm good on the exercise part. Just not the healthy eating part. Although, I did buy a Menu-Mailer from Saving Dinner.com. I think we might have a better chance of not living on cheese quesadillas if I get food prepared ahead of time. Big thank you to Miss Violet for the link to that one. Now I just have to go out and get all the stuff and assemble it. Maybe next weekend...

BTW- did you know Lime & Violet opened their own shop? Go over and get registered. The first update will be tomorrow.

4. Save Money- I'm good. YAY!


Last but not least, Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband! We were married 1 year ago today in San Francisco. I love you very much. We celebrated last night by going to a fancy restaurant to which my wonderful co-workers gave us a gift certificate as a wedding gift. The food was wonderful. The wine was very tasty. And the company was one in a million.

The Story of the Monkey

There's lots of pictures in this one. Hopefully, it doesn't bog down your connection too much.

Let's start with the news of the Monkey.

What once looked like this... 1 repeat short...



Has been fixed to look like this...



Here's a close up of the toe...



Pattern: Monkey from Knitty.com
Yarn: Yarntini Cherry Cordial
Needles: Bryspun flex dpn's size 2.5
Mods: None really- I went up a needle size to fit my big old feet. I had plenty of yarn to do more repeats on the cuff. But I'll use the leftovers for footies maybe. The next time I do these socks, I'll use a more solid yarn. I love the yarn. I love the pattern. I'm just not sure they are the perfect match. I'm happy with the results but I think it could have been better.

These were my February socks for Socktopia. The theme I used was "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates." So I'm 10 days late. Oops! Hopefully I can do better in March. In fact, I already cast on some Baudelaire's in Sunshine Yarn Avocado for the "It's Not Easy Being Green" theme. I hope I make it on time.

Finally, my Petals Collection package was rescued from the grip of the postal service. The package was lovely of course. Sundara pays great attention to detail.



The package includes a beautiful picture of the flower represented and a wonderful pattern.



To be honest with you, I had seen pictures of this online and I didn't really love the color. But when I opened the package, I totally changed my mind. It's vibrant and bright without being obnoxious. Well worth the wait!



She's opening up the Petals Collection to new members next week. I highly recommend it. And I'll be extending my membership. Sock clubs are my vice!!!

Also, did you see the special Cherry Blossom yarn she's dying for her 1 year anniversary??? DIVINE!! Get some while you can. Can you tell I'm into pink and brown lately?

Finally, I want to show you another great etsy "found" through Georgia. I didn't know much about needle felting but I saw a felted penguin on her site and I had to get one of my own. Well, actually, I got a bumble bee.



Isn't he cute???? He's from Wool Pets. She sells kits and her own needle felted animals. It took me about an hour to make this little guy. The button next to him was included with my recent purchase from Piddleloop. I just loved the sheep with a moustache. I had to show you.

December Petals Collection

After Sundara got caught in that terrible Seattle windstorm a couple weeks ago, I thought the Petals Collection December shipment would be delayed by more than a few days. Luckily, Sundara is fine and my pre-New Year stash enhancement continues. I was especially excited because this was my first shipment of this sock club.



This was waiting for me when I got home tonight.



Eva really likes the box. But I really like what's inside.



Packaged beautifully as always. Sundara sent a skein of Lenten Rose sock yarn.



UPDATED PHOTO! Unfortunately, there's a huge storm tonight. And the lighting is my house is terrible. Really the skein is a beautiful grey-ish purple. And the lacy pattern that was included looks great.

Huge thanks to Sundara for braving the weather to bring us gorgeous socks!