Mistress Stash Enhancer

I don't know what it was about this project, it just dragged. Most of this week the kids and I have been playing outside in the lovely sunshine, cleaning up the yard, getting all the outside toys cleaned up for a summer of fun, cleaning, cleaning and then some more cleaning. The strangest thing keep happening this week, I would watch tv and I wasn't knitting, while the kids where playing outside, I was just watch them play and not knit. I didn't feel like knitting. This totally freaked me out.  Last night I (finally) finished the toe decreases on my Fancy Silk Socks using Koigu KPPPM. This morning after I dropped the Van off for her new brakes and oil change, we came home with L5 the clown car* and the kids destroyed worked on some arts and crafts I kitchenered up the toe.

With out further ado, I give you my finished Fancy Silk Socks and L5 the loverly Clown Car:

Pattern: Fancy Silk Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. April/May sock for the Knitting Vintage Socks a long

Yarn: 2 hanks Koigu KPPPM color P52267. This colorway reminds me of yummy watermelons.

Needles: size 1 metal dpns, 5 of 'em.

Time: Started: May 25 Finished: June 9. 2 weeks these where on the needles! Poor neglected sock!

My though's: I love the lace cuff! The lace panel is very pretty, and the little s1k2psso every so many rows, so cute! I'm thinking about modifying the pattern and just using the lace cuff and the lace panel for a pair of socks in the future. (Leaving out the little bumpy things) Now that the socks are finished, I need to give them a nice bath in hopes that the koigu will relax a bit and to get the lace cuff to lay down a bit more. (I casted on too tight it seems!) I'm so happy that I joined the Knitting Vintage Socks a-long, I don't think I would have attempted to even try any of the patterns in this book, (other than the ribbed ones in the front) with out having a knit a-long. When I looked at the directions for most of the socks, they seemed so hard, used tiny needles (000 should be left to tiny socks, not men's size 11 shoe socks) and the measurements wouldn't fit my foot with out modifying the pattern. Next time I need to remember, just one row at a time and remember its just yarn, you can rip-it!

L5 returned happly to the dealorship after our photo shot with the fancy silk socks. L5 is awaiting our visit next week when the recall of whatever will be fixed. Yippie.

 *I have to say, I think its fantastic the dealership we bought the van from has loaner cars for when your vehicle is in the shop. What I think sucks, is that they are teeny tiny neons (no offence to people who like neons!!) and it almost impossible to fit 1 car seat and 2 booster seats in a neon. When all of us get out, it feels like we are all spilling out of the car, like the clowns in a clown car. Allysa (who is 2) called it "baby car" when we walked out to it this morning!

Hardy Har Har. I already have a dumb blonde tee. (MandyJ knit up a super cute hedgehog, and needs help choosing a name for him, go help her out! I'll wait) ya back? ok good.

I finished up Hedera socks late Saturday night, Sunday morningish. These where my *ahem* Project Spectrum March socks. yeah, well... umm...

The Specs:

Pattern: Hedera from the Spring Knitty

Yarn: 2 hanks Lorna's Laces Lucky Stripe, bought by Mike at Knit Happens. There is a lot left over, probably 3/4 of a hank.

Needles: 5 metal dpns

Time: these puppies have been warming my needles for a month now! I finished the first sock, casted on the second one,  and then had to start on Lady E.

My though's: I worked 15 repeats on the leg, and 18 repeats on the foot. This was a very easy to memorize lacy pattern, by the time I reached the foot on the first sock I had the pattern down! I wish I would have omitted the last lace repeat and knit for a half and inch before started the toe decreases. Now that I've finished my first LL socks, I'm very glad I have lots of this good stuff stashed! very happy!

One more pic? A close up? OK!

Also, Have you seen this?  Cynthia of Two sticks and a ball of wool she started by collecting pink squares to make a blanket for her niece Grace, and one for Grace's friend Simone who are both sick with cancer. (I hope I have this right) Grace's friend and boyfriend Justin at the Alberta's Children's Hospital is dying of liver cancer and living on borrowed time. Cynthia is in desperate need of Blue Squares to make him a blanket. She needs 63 5" blue squares to make a blanket. If your able to help, leave Cynthia a comment with your email address in it. Thanks.

I still can't believe, I drove all the way to the other town to only discover that I had the games mixed up! DUH!

I...I... have a few uhhh... things I need to confess to.... umm... *ahem*

1.  Its April...

click to see another view of scarf

and yes, Christine my Christmas tree is still up! *sob* I'm debating about giving out Mike's email address so we can all power nag him. He would love that.  Upon that Christmas tree is the second to last Christmas gift. yessss, quit looking at me like that!! Its a Christmas present promised last Christmas, Christmas of 2005 to be exact. oh, good Lord! *ahem* At least its only been four months!!! geesh!

Project Specs: 

Pattern: Branching Out from knitty

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold, silky wool olive color.

Needles: size 8 bamboo 10"

Time: Started in December, and has been marinating in the basket for 4 months. I had completed 4 pattern repeats when I put it down, I picked it back up before Thursdays soccer practice and blocked it Sunday afternoon! I enjoyed the flowing movement of lace. I need more lace on my needles!!

2.  Even though I have a few skeins of Lorna's Laces In my stash (click to see) are you ready for this? Its a dozy!

I've never knit with it before.

uh huh

you read that right.

Last night, I started my project spectrum socks.. Hedera from the new knitty.

I don't know why I've waited so long to use this beautiful yarn!! Just look at how the sun gleams off of the needles! I'm loven spring!!

Now that I have a few things off my chest, I feel a little better... now I just need to get Mike to put the Christmas tree away!!