The Picture

Finally, I was able to get this picture posted: The jewelry for my little black dress. Makes me want to bead like crazy. I love having crafty hobbies. Especially now that the time has changed, and it is darker earlier and becoming colder. It is the perfect season to stay in and create to my heart's content.

I stopped by the library today and picked up more of the books I had requested. I love the library. I love that it is like book shopping for free. I love the smell of the library; it reminds me of going to the library with my mom and little sister many years ago. I could spend hours at the library. I feel the same way about the bookstore. I really do often spend hours there. I love the smell of new books, coffee, and magazines. I'll admit, I am a book-addict. One can never spend enough time lost in a good book...

Little Black Dress Beads

I spent some time shopping with my sister and niece on Saturday, and found a great little black dress for only $32.00. Can you believe it? What a fantastic bargain. I plan to wear it to B's wedding November 25. B's bridesmaids will be wearing the jewelry I made. So I decided I should also be wearing SassyKrafty Original Designs jewelry. I spent Saturday night at the bookstore getting inspired, and found this great book, Get Your Sparkle On. I always seem to forget how much I love to bead. But this book was a fun read, and definitely gave me some great ideas. I ended up using beads that were already in my stash. I'm thinking the most expensive part of my outfit for the wedding will be my pair of shoes! I had fully intended to post a pic here, but I can't seem to get Blogger to cooperate. Anyway, I made 2 necklaces, 3 bracelets (which still need the elastic trimmed,) and a pair of earrings. I'll just save the pic for later. For now, I'm off to watch the Cardinals special on television. Yes, I live in the city that is the home of the baseball World Champions!

My First Sock Triumph!

Here it is, in all it's first sock glory! It is finished, and I am so anxious to cast on for the second sock I can hardly see straight. What a rush! Thanks to everyone who helped in this crazy process, including my Secret Pal 9 and Charlene from Sensational Knitted Socks. Sock knitting is SOOOO worth it! I will pose with them on once I have a pair. (I couldn't seem to take a picture with the sock on without making my ankle look extremely fat. I will get help with The First Pair of Socks in Use photo shoot.) Will I be able to sleep tonight? Probably not! More knitting? Bring it on! And yea to Socktoberfest!

Beads N Socks

I worked on L's wine glass charms today. Beading takes a lot of patience and concentration, but I think these were worth it. Plus, now I have a Christmas present done!

I also finished B's bridal party jewelry a week and a half ago, but completely forgot to take pics prior to giving them to her at her shower. I wonder if she would let me "borrow" them for a photo op...

I'm afraid my knitting update is not very exciting. I'm continuing to slowly plug away at the same projects. I wish I knitted faster. In the spirit of Soctoberfest, I am now at the heel turn of my sock. I have been there for quite some time, as I am terrified of the short rows that are to come. What if I end up with nasty gaps? I've pulled out my Vogue Knitting and Knitter's Bible for aide if needed. Now I just need to jump!

SP9 Contest

In the spirit of all things fun, here's my first SP9 Contest Q & A:

1. Where is your favorite knitting spot? Right now my favorite knitting spot is in my bed, leaning back on a couple of pillows, watching the 10 o'clock news before going to sleep.

2. If you suddenly could never knit again (shudder) - what would you do instead? I would continue to bead; actually, I would do a lot more beading. I think my beading habit has dropped off considerably since learning to knit!

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world - where would you go and why? I honestly never think about traveling much, although for years I have had a huge desire to get to Estes Park, Colorado. What I've seen in pictures is beautiful, and I can only imagine how impressive mountains are in person. It's funny, I wanted to go there long before I learned how to knit, or learned about the Estes Park Wool Market - now so many more reasons to go!

4. When you were little - What did you want to do "when you grew up?" Are you doing it? I wanted to be a wife and mother, 2 things I am not doing yet, but hopefully someday soon. I also wanted to be a ballerina. I ended up choosing social work instead - fulfilling in a totally different way. Maybe that 's something else I would take up if I could no longer knit; I could dance again...

5. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? I'm torn between peanut butter cup and jamoca almond fudge. I'm terrible at making decisions - can I have a scoop of both?

Always More Organization

For those of you who don't know me very well yet, I love to organize and be organized. My home is full of baskets, containers, boxes, etc, each one with it's own contents, each one with a special purpose. So I now need to introduce my valued needle holders, compliments of Thimble. I searched all over the internet looking for the perfect needle cases, and I believe I have found them. I purchased 2 of her straight needle cases (yes, I have that many straight needles,) and I adore her creations.

Look at the fantastic, whimsical way they close, with a satin ribbon and a button.

As you can see, my needles of all sizes and lengths fit perfectly, and that top flap folds over to hold them in when I roll it shut.

I bought a knitting bag to match the peach case as well. You should check out Thimble's site. I want everything she makes!

As for true knitting content, I am still working on "The First Sock." I already have to thank and compliment my Secret Pal from Secret Pal 9, who has given me fabulous instructions on some questions I had. Sometimes it is hard teaching yourself out of just a book, and you need some personal support. I went to my SP, and she jumped right in! She is the best! I'm already dying to find out who she is...

New Knitting Queue

Remember my Knitting Queue? I am now updating it, as I am selling some of my yarn on Ebay and rethinking my plans. As I look at this, why would I ever need to buy more yarn?

1. Socks - I'm still working on my first one, and yet I can't seem to stop purchasing sock yarn and picking out patterns

2. Mason Dixon Towel (1 skein Euroflax linen, although skein is worsted weight & pattern calls for sportweight)

3. Kitty Pi (Noro Big Kureyon & Fun Fur)

4. Chemo Cap (1 skein Berroco Chinchilla;) I'd love to make lots of hats to take to my patients at the hospital

5. Fetching Knitty Fingerless Gloves (1 skein Artyarns Supermerino)

6. Mason Dixon Ballband Towel (Sugar/Peaches N Cream)

7. Dishcloth patterned after Mason Dixon Burpcloth(Sugar/Peaches N Cream) for T

8. Mason Dixon Circle Dishcloth (1 skein Fantasy Naturale)

9. Mason Dixon Buttonhole Bag (4 skeins Lopi & 1 Showstopper) as a Christmas gift for C

10. Interweave Knits Ribbed Shrug (7 skeins Knitpicks Shine worsted)

11. Knit & Tonic's Dream Swatch Headwrap (1 skein Noro Lily Yarn)

12. Anthropologie-Inspired Caplet (3 skeins Takhi Baby Print)

13. Ribbon-Edged Cardigan from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits(4 balls Baby Cashmerino) as a gift for M

14. Ribbon-Tied Dress from Debbie Bliss' Special Knits(6 balls Baby Cashmerino) as a gift for M

15. Lady Eleanor Shawl from Scarf Style(10 skeins Noro Silk Garden)

Secret Pal 9 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I LOVE wool, angora, cashmere, silk, most cotton, and well, pretty much everything but chenille. (I had a recent bad experience with chenille.) I am even learning to like knitting with mohair with a current scarf project.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have 2 straight needle rolls handcrafted by thimble. I store my DPNs and my Addi Circs in a Bass Pro Shop Double Sided Tackle Bag. My crochet hooks are in a pencil case. I am addicted to organization and can never have enough boxes, bags, etc.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting since the beginning of 2005. I taught myself how to knit with Debbie Stoller's Stitch n Bitch book. I would consider myself early-intermediate, I suppose. I am definitely always learning more, which I LOVE!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, see my blog for my wish lists. Unfortunately, I am always pining for something!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) I love anything soft and flowery. I also like vanilla, cinnamon, and apple.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I love anything dark chocolate, and tart candy like tangy taffy and sour worms. I am also a firm believer that ice cream fixes everything.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I enjoy beading. I am also presently teaching myself how to sew on my grandmother's sewing machine. I love collecting fabric squares and fat quarters, especially in vintage, flea market, and retro patterns. I am fairly addicted to anything Amy Butler (I just recently bought her book In Stitches.) I love reading books and magazines about all kinds of crafts. My mom and I can't seem to go to enough craft fairs.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My computer can play MP3s, my car plays CDs. I like a lot of different music, except rap.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite colors are green and red (not necessarily together.) I also like combos such as pink and brown, red and aqua, pink and green, brown and turquoise - well, the list is endless!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am single and live with my two cats, Muffin (female, age 6) and Sam (male, age 4.) I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE animals. I also have a new niece I am enjoying spending time with.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I wear scarves and gloves. I would like to eventually wear shawls, if I can ever muster enough courage to knit a beautiful lace one. Ponchos are not my thing.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I have enjoyed most everything I have knitted so far. I like to have something small going to give myself a sense of completion fairly often.

13. What are you knitting right now? 2 scarves with lace patterns, a sock, and the Turtleneck Shrug from Scarf Style

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I would LOVE to receive handmade gifts - I search them out!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like both straights and circulars, bamboo and aluminum, depending on the project and my mood. I also have both the Boye and the Denise Interchangeable needle sets. I still remain fairly loyal to my Addi Turbos, although I recently bought some Knitpicks circs, and they're not too bad. One can never have enough needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I own both, and I love to wind yarn.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Misty Garden scarf, started on August 5, 2006.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Beads, yarn, paper, journals, notecards, notebooks, pens, post-it notes, magazines and books related to knitting, beading, sewing, crafting, and interior decorating, elephant and cat related items

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I have a subscription to Interweave Knits - hands down, my favorite knitting mag. My wish lists show how many books and patterns I would like to have! I am dying to try Koigu, Lorna's Laces, Socks That Rock, sea silk, and bamboo sometime soon.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I hope to learn Entrelac soon for Lady Eleanor, and am presently learning all the techniques used in knitting socks

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am just now knitting my first pair of socks, but can already feel the addiction beginning. I wear a US Size 7 1/2.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) May 10