Stitches and a Stashin'

Saturday was a really long and fun day in Chicago. We went on a bus chartered by MAKS. They did a great job for their first trip and I would consider going with them again next year.

There was so much to see and touch that it was pretty overwhelming. I normally like to look around then go back and make a purchase but there are so many vendors it was impossible. So I bought smaller items as I went along, next year I think I will just purchase 3 or 4 large kits instead.

I really enjoyed talking with the vendors there were many who were so friendly and helpful. So here is what I decided on.

This is everything together. I will break it down a bit.

This is one of my favorite purchase, it is a little weighted bag to hold your yarn and an knitting notebook to organize your stash. Janie the owner of Mind Your Knitting is a fellow knitter who had a great idea and decided to go for it. I truly think every knitter needs this little bag which keeps the ball of yarn from rolling under my Lazy Boy. I haven't started organizing (admitting too) my large volume of stash yarn but look forward to using this cute little book.

This yarn and pattern purchase came from Windy Valley Muskox. This was definitely the most impressive booth it was kind of like Discovery Channel meet LYS, they had TV set up so you could see the Muskox it was really interesting.

Rainbows by Leah Wulster. Leah was working the Knitting Software booth. She was so nice and bubbly and I am so excited to make this gorgeous sweater. It will take awhile since it is knit on #3 needles with Jojoland Melody Superwash (sock weight yarn). This was my biggest project purchase.

I loved these stuffed animal and thought they could really be a good stash buster.
You can buy the patterns at www.KnittingAtKnoon.com. I have already made the elephant and will be posting him soon.
And then I bought me soom sock yarn ... you know the yarn that doesn't count as stash.

I think that I will make these for my sister Sam eventhough I am mad at her for not telling me she has a new beau! She's been too busy! Maybe I might just keep this yarn for myself!

I like the color and texture of this.

This yarn is so I can pretend I am cool and make some Socks That Rock.

I loved this color combo it will probably be bootees or little girl socks. I was also impressed by the girl who dyes the yarn. She is a fun college student who is being resourceful by starting a side business. She also has a sock club check out her website at www.knittinghawkeye.etsy.com.
Well that is my stitches stash but I must include a picture of the funniest looking dog ever. My Selah with a new summer dou.

I hate how she looks with a shaved face so I only shaved her neck. Thank goodness it grows quick and she will look like a beautiful full coated sheepie again soon.

Have you ever ...

Have you ever ... had one of those mornings you wake up before 4 a.m and then toss and turn for an hour hoping to fall back to sleep and finally give up and start your day. Well, that was this morning. I have been putzing around for 4 hours and have been halfway productive. I even made my hubbie coffee.

Have you ever ... noticed watching your computer can be a lot like watching a pan of water on the stove. The waiting, the watching, the hoping you won't have to reboot.

Have you ever ... just "had to have" this yarn only the realize that it is by far the ugliest, most disgusting yarn imaginable. And then remember it was kinda expensive ... what was I thinking.

Have you ever ... been in the mood to knit and decided that your current six or so projects just weren't what you wanted to knit ... therefore casting on. What? I was on a cast on diet? Ice cream and yarn are a lot alike, you can never get enough of either one and they are both diet breakers.

Have you ever ... looked at the dishes and decided that your knitting was definitely priority ... and then looked at the dogs and realized that the grooming must win out over the knitting ... especially in flea season with a heat advisory.

Well, let's see what to share today! First off, it is finally Stitches time and the bus to Chicago will be leaving tomorrow first thing. This is my first time and I am so excited.

I have also been trying to finish up some older WIPs. I finally finished my Thrums a.k.a The Warmest Mittens on Earth. I used a kit from Fleece Artist and I loved this yarn and the color was awesome. This yarn was obviously not the fore mentioned yarn.

Pattern: IK Winter 2006 - Thrummed Mittens
Yarn: Fleece Artist Thrum Mittens Kit
Yarn Source: The Trading Post
Another Source: Camilla Valley Farm This ships from Canada so shipping can be quite high.

I also resumed working on a lone 3/4 finished sock and began its mate yesterday. I remembered the wise advise from the Yarn Harlot, "Always cast on 2nd sock as soon as 1st sock is complete." Good advise.

I am going to take these with me tomorrow and will hopefully have a finished pair tomorrow night. Six hours on a bus should not be wasted.

Well, today Clue 6 of Mystery Stole 3 was posted. How am I doing ... well ... I have finished 4 rows of Clue 3 as of about 6:30 am today. Which I immediately found an error in ... one row BEFORE my lifeline. How's that for double checking.

Clue 2 completed picture.

My biggest project today is...

This

More like this. Isn't taking pictures of dogs such a fun thing? They can be peacefully laying there... then you get the camera. I have about as much luck getting dog pictures as I do getting a 4 year old to smile "normal" for the camera.
Back to Selah, my 20 month Old English Sheepdog ... I add the 20 month so I can remember that she is still a toddler which explains her lack of bladder control. But today marks, her final shave of the year ... right AFTER the heatwave ... isn't my timing great. But considering I never brushed her after the last shaving it is a MUST.

And while I am off spending my hubbies money tomorrow I hope he resumes working on his current WIP.

First, it was this

Then, it was this

And now I keep hoping it will grow ... grow ... grow!

Oh yeah! Did I mention I started this.

I "really" needed something else on needles! You understand, don't you?

The State Fair results are in. Drum roll please.

Last night, we went to the open house at the fair and were able to see everything. It was very exciting. There were two items that I had high hopes for the Noah's Ark cross stitch and the Campanula. We saw the cross stitch first and I had gotten a THIRD PLACE. I was a little disappointed because I was sure that piece would do the best since I spent an entire year working only on it. The other two pieces that recieved 1st and 2nd were incredible which gave me a quick attitude adjustment. Mine was the biggest but sometimes bigger is not better ... except with diamonds.

Anyway once we found the knitting area, I was blown away by how well my items did. Out of the 14 items I entered I recieved 9 ribbons. 1 = FIRST.
3 = SECOND. 4 = THIRD. 1 = FOURTH. I was beside myself with giddiness.

I am not really sure how they do the judging. There were several of my entries that I wasn't expecting anything and they did well. They didn't look better than the other entries in the same class or were much simplier pieces. I would love to know how they judge.

Well if you want to see which item got what ribbon, look at my previous blog with all my entry pictures and you can see how each item did.