Yarn P*rn of the Week

It's been a while since I've posted any Yarn P*rn. Sure, I haven't really been buying any new yarn, but it isn't like I don't have a million gorgeous skeins I could be showing. (Okay, big exaggeration there!) Since I did make a small yarn addition this week, I figured it's time to resurrect Yarn P*rn of the Week.

On Tuesday after I wrote my anniversary post, Pea and I hopped on a boat and sailed off to Port Jefferson for an over-night get-away. Our hotel package included champagne on arrival. Since we were able the check in early though, we had at least a half-hour to wait before it would be delivered. What to do? Why, check out the LYS, of course!

Approximately 10 seconds (nope, no exaggeration there - really) after walking through the door, I had this in my hands and knew it had to come home with me!!

The LYS Lady asked me if I "needed sock yarn" . . . which I guess is subjective since I have almost 17 MILES of it in my stash already. I think my hysterical laughter reaction confused her, and she kindly pointed out that it was indeed sock yarn that I had in my hand - so I had to own up to the fact that I am a Sock Yarn Addict. We both decided it was actually good planning for the future . . . if all of the sock yarn companies should suddenly go out of business. Although her thought was that I could sell off the stash . . . . where as my thought was that I could still knit socks for the rest of my life. (Come on, sell off the stash???? That's just crazy talk!) Anyway, it was both Vacation Yarn and Sock Yarn, and everyone knows that doesn't count!!

The colors scream Summer Vacation by the Sea . . . and I love Trekking. It was meant to be. When I look at this yarn, I see sunshine, blue ocean, white frothy waves, and seaweed. (Okay, I'm not a huge fan of seaweed, but it makes for a pretty colorway!)

I also have a little yarn outing planned for today. I'm very excited about it. More on that later!!

Happy Anniversary

My town is on the coast. And you can look across the Sound and see Long Island. When I was a romantic teen-aged girl, I would stare across the water and wonder if my soul mate was out there on Long Island, waiting to meet me.

Eight years ago today, Pea and I went on our first date. It was then that I learned he had grown up on Long Island.

Three years ago today . . .

we were married! Maybe I'm psychic??

Do you know where we were married?Last night I mentioned that a spinning wheel would be the perfect gift for our fifth anniversary. After all, that is the traditional year for wood!! He just laughed and said "We'll see". Hmm, not looking so good, is it?

Happy anniversary, Sweetpea!!! You were worth the wait. I can't imagine my life without you.

Back into the Blogiverse

My goodness, I certainly didn't intend to be away for so long. In the past week I finished my first web design class and started my second. I battled a horrid headache (maybe a migraine??) for two days. I worked on getting my last little domain problem ironed out (now if you forgot to put the "www" in front of mostlyselftaughtknitter.com you get a nifty little redirect page that will shoot you over to the blog. You can try it here, but don't blink because it should go pretty quick). I finally got my domain e-mail up and running - hopefully I haven't jinxed it now! Of course, I've spend many, many hours on Ravelry putting my stuff in (you were all right, it's SO addictive). And Pea is on vacation, so we've been trying to do some fun stuff. Whew, I'm tired just typing it!!

But I am back, and hoping you will forgive me. I have been knitting a little. In fact, I've got my little footies done!!

Little Pansy Socks
Cast On: 30 May 2007
Completed: 21 June 2007
Yarn: Cascade Fixation, Colorway 9518
Needles: Clover Bamboo US4 (3.5mm) DPNs

These were very simple socks, just 1 1/2 inches of ribbing, the Eye of the Partridge heel, and the foot. I love how they came out though. And they only took one ball of Cascade Fixation . . . with a mere three yards left. Talk about good yarn management. I named them Little Pansy Socks because the colorway reminds me of pansies. I plant my pansies when it's just starting to warm up, but still to cold for other flowers. And I'm wearing the socks when it's just starting to become too warm for wool socks, but still too cold for no socks!

I'm not sure I would call what I did "writing a pattern", but a couple of you were kind enough to ask for it. So I've written it up, and thank you so much for your interest!! I've posted a link on the sidebar to my new pattern page. If you are interested, click on over and download the pdf. And please, be sure to let me know if you have any problems!!

Stitch Marker Goodness

So I've acknowledged the lack of blogging that's been going on around here lately. Unfortunately, it also goes hand-in-hand with a startling lack of knitting. I blame summer weather, spring cleaning, and the work involved in my Creating Web Pages class. This week, Creating Web Pages I wraps up and Creating Web Pages II begins. Yes, they overlap, which seems a bit crazy. But I'm really looking forward to the next class - even if it means a tough week ahead.

My plan for this afternoon was to take a break, catch up on my guilty pleasure (Gener@l H0spit@l!!) and just knit. But guess what arrived minutes ago via e-mail?? My Ravelry invite!!!!!!!! We'll see how long I can hold off on clicking that. My guess is that I'll be in Ravelry as soon as I hit the Publish button on this post!!

In the mean time, here is some Stitch Marker Eye Candy for you!!

On the left are three beautiful stitch markers hand-made my another self-taught knitter, Alisha. She had a neat contest where she asked us to request then next song to be played on her blog, and I won!! Not only did I get to hear Michael Buble, who I ♥, but she sent me three gorgeous stitch markers!! Keep an eye out on her blog, I think she'll be running more contests soon!

On the right are some wonderful stitch markers I ordered from Entrelac after hearing how much Kristie loved her set. I have to agree 100%, these things are great for lace knitting and such because there are no dangly bits to get trapped in the knitting. And they are pretty in an understated sort of way.

Okay, I guess I'm off to Ravel!!

If the computer goddess is smiling on me . . . .

you should be able to read this post. And you might even be reading it with my new domain name up in your little browser window.

That's right. I went ahead and bought my own domain name through GoDaddy. My web classes have not begun to deal with domains and hosting and such, but I've always been the impatient sort. I will continue to host my blog with Blogger, since I have always been quite happy here (and after all, it's free!!)

The set up was quite a challenge. I know nothing about DNS servers and CNAME settings and such. I've muddled through as best I could, using any tips and tutorials I could find. It's not perfect, but here's what seems to be happening right now:

• If you type www.mostlyselftaughtknitter.com - you get to my blog
• If you type www.k-knit.blogspot.com - you get to my blog, but do not see my new domain name in your browser
• If you type k-knit.blogspot.com - you get to my blog and you do see my new domain name in your browser
• If you type mostlyselftaughtknitter.com - you get a big old error message

Does any of this matter? Not really, as long as my blog is working. But, because I am Miss OCD and all, I've spent two days trying to figure out how typing any of the four options above will bring you to my blog, with my new domain name in your browser. I'm hoping we learn it all soon in my class. Or maybe some of you brilliant computer people have tips for me??

***ETA: I found somewhat of a work-around for the error message on the mostlyselftaughtknitter.com problem. It's not perfect, but it's better than the 404 server error screen!! And I can step away from the computer screen.

Because I have nothing to say today . . .

but don't want to break my "blogging every other day mojo", I'll leave you with this.

You Are a Ring Finger

You are romantic, expressive, and hopeful. You see the best in everything. You are very artistic, and you see the world as your canvas. You are also drawn to the written word. Inventive and unique, you are often away in your own inner world. You get along well with: The Pinky Stay away from: The Index Finger

What Finger Are You?

I guess it is pretty accurate - although I'm not sure I always see the best in everything. I can usually find the bright side of any situation though.

1 3/4 pairs of socks

I finished my Koigu socks a few weeks ago, but the missing blog-mojo prevented me from posting them.

Garter Rib Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks
Cast On: 18 February 2007
Completed: 18 May 2007
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM Colorway P612 209
Needles: Addi 40" US2 (3.0 mm)

I haven't had much opportunity to wear these now that the warm weather is here, although the mornings and evenings have seemed more chilly than usual. In fact, I had these on last night.

Of course, since it is June I decided it was time to break out the summer sock yarn. I grabbed a pretty ball of Cascade Fixation and just cast on, making the pattern up as I went. One is already done, and the second is past the heel. Oh the joy of footie socks!!It's the first time I've done an Eye of the Partridge Heel, and I think it's gorgeous with this yarn!! These should be another FO by the end of the weekend. Hopefully it will still be chilly enough to wear them.

Yarn P*rn of the Week

Yarn:2, Knitter:1

It didn't want to be socks: +1 yarn
It twisted itself into quite a mess: +1 yarn

But it's now back into a neat and pretty center pull ball: KNITTER: +1

You didn't think I would let it win another battle, did you? Trust me, I will win the war!

Good bye May, Hello June

Is it just me, or did May really fly by? I can't believe June is already here. Unfortunately, my Knit List was unprepared for a new month as well. Here's what did (or didn't) happen in May:

1. Finish Red Koigu Socks. - DONE!!! I know, I haven't posted them yet. They will be in my next post, I swear.
2. Knit Tahoe. - Well, this one depends on how you look at it. I did knit SOME of it, but not all of it. The back is done. However, all of the places where I wove in ends look terrible. Does anyone have tips for weaving in ends in slippery cotton/viscose yarn?
   
3. Plan and knit a May Holiday Headstart project. - Not done. We may all remember when I failed miserably at this one. I did start a backup project, but I was discouraged by the purse failure and never really got into knitting the May gift. It's on the needles, but not finished.
4. Try making a little felted tote that I've been planning in my head. - Okay, I didn't actually knit this. But only because I've been sewing so many little bags lately, I didn't need the felted tote after all. So I'm crossing it off, because I did MAKE a bunch of totes (even if they are neither knit nor felted).
   
5. Start a pair of Zephyr socks. - YES!! I'm working on the foot of the first sock.

Hmmm, not so good. I think June needs to be a Finish Up month and hopefully I can do much better. Here's what is on the list:

1. Finish the Zephyr socks.
2. Finish a pair of footies I'm working on. (Not on the May list, but I cast them on anyway. I'm sure that contributed to my failure in completing projects on the list!)
3. Finish the May Holiday Headstart project.
4. Knit the Squatty Sidekick purse again as my June Holdiay Headstart project.
5. Finish Tahoe. This will also knock one off my Summer Knit List! Hurray for multi-tasking.
6. One small "diversion project" . This is where I am reserving the right to cast on something new if the urge becomes more than I can bear. It will most likely be a second pair of footies or a dishcloth.
   

What do you have planned for June knitting??

Missing: My Blogging Mojo

Last seen sometime before the weather got nice. May have ran away due to lack of attention while knitting, sewing, web classes and spring cleaning demand more time. Please report any info asap. Reward involved.

Seriously, I have plenty I could be blogging about. But the mood to blog is no where to be found. In an attempt to fix that, I've started pre-drafting my next few posts and hope to get them up in a timely manner. After all, I've got my June Knit List to put together. And finished socks to show you. But first, I wanted to post the lovely birthday gift that arrive on my doorstep from MissyJoon!!This adorable little summery bag stuffed full of gifties!! The bag has already been put to good use holding a pair of cotton footies I've been working on. Inside the bag was an adorable little notepad for when inspiration strikes, yummy smelling soap, cute flip-flop candles, "Gemini" glasses, a beautiful dragonfly magnet and a Knit For Life pencil!! Whew. But wait, there's more. There is something else peaking out of the top of the bag that didn't make it into the picture on the right. Something that deserves it's own spotlight.That's right. Socks!!! And not just any socks. I was stunned and amazed to find Missy had sent me her AMERICAN IDOL SOCKS!!!! You may remember that I was knitting a pair of these too, in our own little American Idol KAL. Mine were coming out too small, so I frogged and started over in size 1 needles. I ran into further problems and ended up frogging again and abandoning the project. Some how the yarn ended up like this . . .and has yet to be completely untangled. But Missy knit on, showing perseverance I've never had! These socks were a struggle, and I am so touched she would send them to me. I know just how much work went into them. They are beautiful and fit perfectly - but I think I might be afraid to ever wear them!! I may have to set them in a glass case for display - like they do in the museum!! Don't you agree??