Stash Acquisition Saturday

So yesterday, after a pretty good day with my students...I came home to two...two yarn club arrivals....yeah!  Full mailbox!

First up.....Friday Studios in Sweden...Hunger Games Yarn Club...This month it is "Girl on Fire"

It's very colorful and very pretty....also included was some Tracker Jacker lip balm and some stickers...

Next up was Knit and Fiber Creation....Walking Dead Club...This month is Zombie Milton...

With a cool zombie project bag and some stitch markers....love!

Here's a closeup of the yarn..a mini-matching skein was included...

I really like yarn clubs, I  love seeing the surprises and the unexpected colors that the dyers create....this is the third version I've seen of "Girl on Fire" and I think she did a good job of capturing the colors from the movie.....

and then I found out that the Hunger Games nook book (original version) of Hunger Games was on sale, so I downloaded it...as one of my students is borrowing my book at the moment...I don't know why I enjoy the book so much, I just do...

Well Howdy......

I really have nothing to say...I took an unexpected break....posting for 19 days straight, my regular posts and then for Knit and Crochet Blog Week was tough....then it was the end of the round for Nerd Wars....and then I decided to read...and I started and finished a book...and well here we are...

I have not done any crafting in a week.....but what did I finish before that?

I made a couple baby hats to fit into Nerd Wars projects...

The top hat is my Citrus Flower hat...the flower is inspired by the lemon flower that blooms on a lemon tree before the lemons appear.  The second hat is made with scraps form my Manos de Uruguay Cotton Stria...a discontinued yarn that I love to bits!

The last thing I made was inspired by spring....

A daffodil!

I finished reading An American Heiress.  Slow beginning, but if you are a Downton Abbey fan you will enjoy it...I have started His Majesty's Dragon, the first in a series for a readalong....I am really enjoying this book, but the writing style is a bit weird, however I really like the characters...

It's finally warming up here....hurrah!!!!

I also put the majority of my patterns and books in the Ravelry database and have organized many of them...this way, even when out, I know what patterns I own....I did my needles 2 weeks ago (my hooks, I know I have at least one of all sizes)...and, of course, I always keep my yarn up to date...speaking of which..got another package in the mail...

Random Fandom: Jabba's Dancing Girl...it sparkles

My colors...and I think a new yarn base for her...it's Superfine Merino, silk and stellina...

So I guess that is my update...how is the blogosphere?

Connecticut Sheep and Wool

Saturday was the Connecticut Sheep and Wool.  It's only a 1 day event, but it is 104 years old. It kicks off the sheep and wool season for me....Maryland is upcoming, but I can never get to that one...we also have New Hampshire and Massachusetts coming up...I've been to NH once (it was raining) and I've gone to the Mass one the past couple of years....but CT kicks it off....and it was a beautiful day...and quite packed this year....

I pulled in a bit later than normal, about 10....and right next to me, Becca and her daughter Lorelei, got out of their car...and right next to Becca was Dayna of Madison Wool!  Wow!  Already people I know!

I stopped by to check in with The Happily Hooked on group first...

That's Grace, the President, on the left...and Dee S...a one-woman ambassador for crochet..always fun to see them....

Then I headed out in search of Jessalu, it was her first showing in CT...and she was slammed!

I snagged three of her bags....I have no idea how many of her bags I have now...but as I was going up to her booth..who do I run into?  Maureen!  We went to Rhinebeck together last year....and attend the same Knit club throughout the year....So Maureen and I hung out and got caught up....then she left, as she'd already done her shopping...so off I went....

Across from Jessalu was "Going Gnome."  LOVED!!!

This little guy came home with me, along with a flower ring...

Then I wandered for quite awhile.....visited some sheep and some uncooperative alpacas..and some totally adorable baby Angora goats!

Look at the colors on those goats!
I saw some yarn and some spinning wheels and spindles...

And I didn't buy any yarn for the longest time.....but I kept going back to two booths...two vendors whose yarn I have used...Dirty Water Dyeworks....who had this sample hanging (and causing quite a commotion)

I love those colors!  It's the Catkin, which has been in my queue for awhile, but I think is beyond me right now....I did go back to Ball and Skein and ended up with three of her yarns....I just made my So Cazh socks with her Sophia yarn...so going to try some of her others....

So my haul?

T-shirt (to support the event), three Jessalu bags: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock; Gnomes, and Sugar Skulls (el dia de los muertos) and three skeins of Ball and Skein: Sierra Super Sock in Squash Blossom (a shawl), Glissade in Black Forest for Cedar Leaf Shawlette; and Super Sock 416 in Manise (not sure if I'm going to do socks or shawl)

I have 3 "shawls"  A blood red one made for me in a swap; a white, green and pink one I made...and then my Kathy Merrick scarf I use as a shawl.....and I decided I like them and need to make some....so I've had several queued and I have the yarn for several..it's about time I get cracking on them!

YOP: Week 17

Whenever I finish a big project, I take a couple days to rest....so after finishing Green Spring, I really didn't work on much....But I still needed some projects for this round of Nerd Wars....so I made a striped cotton baby hat and a daffodil....I also started another baby hat last night....but it needs some finishing....and I did another round of the Plum Pudding....I do not have project pages for these yet...or pictures of the daffodil..

The orange wrap I worked on last week is made of a thick cotton and hurty to the hands after awhile, so I need to work on that in small doses....a did another row during the week...

But I spent most of my week blogging and reading blogs for Knit and Crochet Blog Week...I have been a part of this since the beginning..and it's a ton of fun...
  
YTD Completed:
Crown for Natalie: 1/5/2013
Sparkie the Monster: 1/21/2013
Casseiopia Shawl:  2/9/13
Crikey Cowl: 2/10/13
Feet Blankets: 2/12/13 
Eros the Owl: 2/16/13
Ladder Up: 2/20/13
Chocolate Peep: 2/26/13
Czech Republic flag: 2/27/13
So Cazh Socks: 3/9/13
Deep Blue Seas 3/23/13
Spock bear  3/23/13
Stargate Keychain 3/24/13
Noodle Baby Hat 3/24/13
Bunnies, It Must Be Bunnies 3/30/13
Beaded Camo Sock 4/7/13 (technically done, but need some fixing)
Green Spring  Dissertation for T7  4/21/13
Daffodil 4/27/13
Cotton Baby Hat 4/25/13

WIPS:
Crochet:
Plum Pudding Round Ripple (started 2007?)
Mission Falls Poncho: (Started 2006)
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)
Aran Blanket: (Started 2009): two panels done
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done
Betty Shrug: I don’t know how long I’ve been working on this, but it only has an arm and a border to go.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done.
The Trellis Shawl (February 2013) - frogged 3/9/13
Orange wrap (started ?)
Citrus Hat (4/27/13)
 
Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Hermione's Everyday Socks (January 2013)
A Heart Full of Love: Johnny's Socks (January 2013)
Adele socks: (April 2012)

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Breath of Fresh Air Scarf: (April 2011)
Creekbed: (Feb 2012) - frogged

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in
Really Big Bag (2011): Stashbuster

Charity: 

Hats:

Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt

Gifts: 

Owl for Rose

Hats for Beckett

2 Stargate keychains 1 pair Stargate earrings

WIMs: Projects I have the yarn and the pattern
Sweaters:

Baroque Tabard Tunic

Test Pattern Sweater

Car Coat

Cowl Vest

Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 

Bedford Springs Shawl

Rockefeller

Wholehearted

The Age of Brass and Steam

West End Scarf 

Gathering Leaves

Alhambra

Petal Edge Scarf

Filippi Scarf 

Firefly Scarf

Fraxinus Danube Cowl
Simple City

Fire and Ice

Multnomah   Leylines 
Holden Shawlette

Hats and Mitts

Hermione Hearts Ron

Nehalm Hat

Felicity

Stellar

Cabled Headband

Fetching

Cayunga Hat and Mitts set Preposterous
Ruffled hat and mitts

Evergreen Gloves

Socks:

Memento Mori

Rubus

Siren Socks

Hey, Have I Ever Steered You Wrong?

Savory Lace Socks

Autumn Flame

Firebird

Rescue Me, Chin Boy and Show Me the Stars

Bags:

Sarape Shopper

Pleated Purse

Circular Felted Bag 

Knit and Crochet Blog Week - Day 7

Day Seven (Sunday April 28th): Looking Forward
One year from now, when the 5th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week rolls around, where do you hope your crafting will have taken you to? What new skills, projects and experiences do you hope you might have conquered or tried?

This could be anything from mastering a technique (broomstick lace, entrelac, etc), trying a new yarn or skill, or a long term wish to crochet only from your stash, or knit every stitch in one of the Harmony Guides. Maybe you have no desire or plans for your craft at all, no new element of knitting or crochet that you dream of mastering, in which case write about why that might be. In a year's time participants will be asked to look back to see if they achieved any goals, no matter how general, and see which house conquered the art of looking forward.

The first thing that jumped to mind was Tunisian crochet or Afghan Stitch.....I have toyed with it, but not really made anything with it....I would love to really work with this technique, as I think it makes a beautiful fabric.

(Image from Craftsy.com)

In knitting, I really want to get socks down...I have made several pair...and most have something wrong with them...

First time using beads, BUT one is too big and the other is too small....

Slightly loose at the cuff and bag a bit at the ankles...

Loose at the cuffs....

First toe-up, two-at-a-time....but could not find a bind-off that worked and the cuffs roll...

One is slightly short...loose at cuffs, baggy at ankles....

So I seem to have the same issues....but I keep trying to make them.....I have not really modified yet, as I don't feel I'm strong enough to modify knitting designs yet.....any suggestions?

I also want to needle felt.....look what I bought yesterday...how cute is that!  I want to make some...and I have plenty of kits...I just have not taken the time to sit down and do it...

So what do you want to make or improve on for next year?  Please type in 4KCBWDAY7 if you'd like to see what others are saying...

Knit and Crochet Blog Week - Day 6

Day Six (Saturday April 27th): A Tool To Covet
Write about your favourite knitting or crochet (or spinning, etc) tool. It can either be a tool directly involved in your craft (knitting needles or crochet hook) or something that makes your craft more pleasurable – be it a special lamp, or stitch markers.

Is it an item that you would recommend to others, and if so for which applications/tasks do you think it is most suited. Conversely, do you have a tool/accessory that you regret buying? Why does it not work for you?

Hmmm...a tool I use....well mainly a use a hook, needles  and some yarn...but beyond stitchmarkers, not much else....so I decided to share the one thing, besides the hook, needles or yarn, that I always grab to have with me...

It's my "Tool Kit" I bought the bag at a Jo-Ann's Fabrics a very long time ago...it is zippered and it holds...

Stitch markers (locking and split), sticky notes and pen, a sharp pair of scissors, a measuring tape, and two needles cases...the large robot one I bought at Stitches East a couple years back (and wish I had a bought a couple)..it holds large yarn needles...the small one with the purple top holds smaller needles and is magnetic...I don't go anywhere without this little bag....it also holds other items at various times...I usually have a nail file in it (must have used it) and sometimes other types of stitchmarkers, bits of yarn or other little do-dads...

I decided to show some of my other favorite things...

My "work-in-progess" bag...I bought it on clearance...it's all fabric...I love this bag...I have other, more expensive" project bags..(Namaste...I'm looking at you) but I have found this one to be the easiest to carry around...

At the moment it has two of these in it...

That would be a Jesslau box bag...love her box bags,,,(and she will be at The CT Sheep and Wool today...yeah!) I have many....
On top of the bag is a nifty tool that a local alpaca farm created....it is a WIP DPN holder...I own two of them....It is beautifully made in wood...and just gorgeous....

Last year at Stitches East, I was also looking for a bag to hold my wooden hooks...the wooden hooks tend to be longer than other hooks and they did not fit well in any case I found...until this..it's from here

And speaking of wooden hooks...my absolute favorite are the Lantern Moon ones....they are gorgeous, feel good in my hand...and make my crocheting "as smooth as butter!"

So those are a few of my favorite "tools."  Want to find out others favorite tools?  Type in 4KCBWDAY6 into your favorite search engine....

TA-DAH! Friday!

I have a Ta-Dah that could not wait until next week.....there has been a peek of it on this blog this week already...and you all have been following the creation of my Green Spring....I am wearing it today for the second time (as it's green day at school)....I have not done a thorough blocking of it yet....but have done some steam blocking.....I really love it....sorry for the crap pictures...the sun was in my eyes...

I do love it...there is some puckering by the sleeves, not sure if that was the way I was holding my arms....

If you want to see what others have done, please join up at Tami's Amis