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.

And It's Off to the Fair We Go...

Here goes this will definitely be a long entry since I want to show all 14 entries. This is my first year entering the State Fair and I am so excited ... especialy since it is about the third year I've talked about it. Most of my entries are knitting but there are a couple cross stitch pieces. Hope you enjoy my work, everything has been done within the last three years.

SECOND PLACE
Class: Adult's - Sweater, 1 color
Pattern: Josephine - IK Summer 2007

THIRD PLACE
Class: Adult's - Sweater, 2colors or more
Pattern: Tomato - No Sheep For You

FIRST PLACE!!!!!!
Class: Adult's - Sweater, dressy or evening
Pattern: Campanula - Knitters Spring 2007

THIRD PLACE
Class: Adult's - Sleeveless shell or vest
Pattern: Basic Vest (Fulled) - Book 2 The Purl Stitch

Class: Adult's Shawl or Scarf
Pattern: Prayer Shawl - Knitting Into the Mystery

THIRD PLACE
Class: Adult's Accessories
Pattern: Broad Street Mitten - Knitty

SECOND PLACE
Class: Child's Sweater - 1 color
Pattern: Julia's Aran Pullover and Hat
By Kristin Nicholas - Knit It Premier Issue

SECOND PLACE
Class: Child's Sweater - 2 or more colors
Pattern: Kid's Cozy Icelandics -
Ultimate Knitting Fall 2003

FOURTH PLACE
Class: Child's Accessories
Pattern: Fair Isle hat & scarf -
KAL book A Good Yarn

Class: Infant - Afghan
Pattern: Lydia's Baby Cables -
KAL book The Shop on Blossom Street

Class: Hand Knitting - Felting - Hats
Pattern: Fiber Trends - Felt Hat w/ Brim Variations

Class: Hand Knitting - Felting - Purses
Pattern: Felted Purse - Leisure Arts

AND NOW FOR THE CROSS STITCH

Class: Cross Stitch - Framed -
Design Area 101-150 sq. in.

THIRD PLACE
Class: Cross Stitch - Framed -
Design Area 151 sq. in. & over

Here is my table before I left.

Much better than before. It is now empty for the first time in weeks ... I think I have a tablecloth and nice vase somewhere!

Campanula and VK Short Sleeve Cardigan

Well, I finished my Campanula and it is definitely the prettiest thing I've ever knitted. I was like a little kid doing the finishing work and am so proud of the seams ... because you can't see them. WOO HOO!

Here is my blocking ... I really need a blocking board.


Look at the pretty lace work!

I used microfiber towels like you buy in automotive and it was unbelievable how fast it dried. I am going to sew all the little towels together so I don't have so many little towels to juggle. Too bad no one makes microfiber towels with a one inch check pattern.

Here are some close up shots.

Sleeve

Peplum - I love the bell shape

Lace pattern close up

Lace up I-cord front - 70 inches YUK!

Here is a picture of me in it. I made it hoping to be 20 lbs more lighter so please ignore the lumps and bumps.

Here's what I did
Pattern: Knitter's Spring 2007 Campanula
Designer: Celeste Pinheiro
Size: Large - 45 inch
Yarn: SWTC Bamboo Purple
Yarn amount: 4 1/2 skeins
Needles: Knit Picks #2 and #4 circulars
Modifications: None, this pattern is perfect. Lots of charts to follow. If you can read a lace pattern and trust it you can do this.
Something I wish I knew before I knit this is when working your SSK on the peplum, work them on the tips of the needle. They will look much neater. I found this info when I was working my last section, of course.
Length of time: About 4 weeks

For my sister's graduation, I knit my mom an "I Love You Present." She does so much for everyone that I thought she needed something special. Anyway, I knit her a Short Sleeve cardigan but never got any pictures. I only finished a couple hours before the graduation. Well, the buttons that I chose did not work that well sewn into the lace sections, so she gave it to me to tweek. See the bad buttons.


Here are the new clasp which are much more stable and easier to fasten.

Here is a close up of the back. I love how the lace pattern changes directions.

Here is a picture of my chair wearing Mom's cardigan .... Still need a pic of Mom.

This was a quick and easy knit. It looks harder than it is and looks better in person than the mag.
Here's what I did
Pattern: VK Spring/Summer 2007 Short Sleeve Cardigan
Designer: Shiri Mor
Size: Medium - 36 inch
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease Terrecotta
Yarn amount: 4 1/4 skeins
Needles: Knit Picks size 7
Modifications: Make sure you work a size smaller than usual. I did 4 inch neg ease and it was still lose on my Mom. Clasp closures or no closures seem to be better than buttons.
Length of time: 5 days

Today has been an exciting day except for hubbie feeling sick. We had breakfast with our kiddo and gave him a belated birthday gift.

Then we delivered my items to the fairgrounds. So my dining room table no longer looks like this
Can you believe the lady who recieved my entries told me that I was very organized? LOL
And while we drove around killing time before dropping off stuff, I worked on this

Mystery Stole 3 - I finally finished Clue 1 only 3 more to catch up. Maybe with the fair push behind me ... Oh Yeah, I told hubbie I'd take a break from knitting ... Ha! Who am I kiddin'.

New Stash Items

I've been working really hard at getting my stuff ready for the State Fair but took a break over the weekend to shop. Now believe it or not, I actually buy more when my DH is with me. He is so bad, he basically tells me if I want it buy it. Now what husband in their right mind tells a woman that! Well, here goes.


Something from this book with this yarn will become a wonderful gift for my friend! I at least had 3 skeins of the yarn and the book already. Also, the LYS gives a 10% discount if you are a TKGA or other guild member.


Pretty pink yarn! It is a cotton acrylic blend but it is so soft! It was on clearance and I just loved the bubble gum pink! When I was little I had carpet in my bedroom this exact color. I actually bought 3 skeins of this and had to go back and get the remaining 2 skeins since I kept waking up thinking about it. I'm nuts now what to knit with it? It may just become stash and baby items for gifts ... girl baby gifts!

Okay, here is my buy of the weekend. This was the next best thing to free.

These were a dollar each, I got them all for $29.00.

I had recently took advantage of the Interweave back issue sale and recieved these

for about $36.00 after shipping. The kicker is four of the five were in the dollar bin at the LYS. So if you live in Indy check out Keepsakes in Carmel, the owner has great sale prices on both magazines and yarn.

Then it is Joann's coupon commotion and I got 2 books for 50% off. Zoe Moller Knitted Toys and Charlene Schurch Sensational Socks. Again my husband was with me, he is such a bad influence.

I must stay out of the stores so I will have money left for Stitches! I must! I must! I must!