Knitters Nook - Delray Beach, FL

So when I went to stay with my Aunt Kathy in Margate, FL, after my visit with my Mom (this is my father's older sister, and I hadn't seen her since my father was in the ICU in Corpus Cristi four years ago).  My Aunt Kathy is lovely, and she is loved by us all....and she was determined to find me a yarn store to visit.  Even my Uncle Bill, her husband, who just turned 80, was looking up yarn stores online.  Gotta love them...I realized after I left, that we forgot to take a picture, so I snagged one from her Facebook page..

That's my Aunt Kathy, Uncle Bill and their kids, Bill, Debby and Tracy..(and Debby just won the Georgia Female Vocalist award this year!)

So, what has this to do with yarn...well we eventually found a place open in Delray Beach, called Knitters Nook..and Aunt Kathy and I ventured forth...The owner Deborah was extremely friendly...

This beautiful sample was by the door...

I love the seating area.  The store had lots of nice yarn.  The picture second to last is their sale aisle..I love that it is dressed up...There was also a room, just peeking behind the red tissue paper, with a winder and swift..and a gentleman to wind your yarn...Lots of samples...lots to look at...I splurged and bought Lotus Yarn Mimi, which is100% mink.

I'm thinking a stripey kinda shawl, I only have 660 yards, so maybe more of a shawlette...

This is my latest in my LYS series...I blog about different LYS around the country..if traveling and interested, you can find my list here...or my list of Connecticut LYS

Wiping Wednesday

Reading:  I finished Horns by Joe Hill
                 Started reading SGA: Unascended by  Jo Graham and Amy Griswold.  This is the 8th (I believe) book in the Legacy series.  If you are a fan of Stargate Atlantis, they are good books.
                I also downloaded Outlander...I used to have a copy floating around, never got to reading it, so now am going to try to start it before the series starts in a couple of weeks. Very excited, Scotland, time travel, kilts, romance..why haven't I read this already???

Since I posted on Monday about all the sock projects..just a slight update...I worked on my Kai-Mei..and got two more repeats of the lace section done...yeah!

I'm also still working on Rainbow Wings, but don't think it'll be done for Friday....no new pics, as it looks the same...

That's about it for me....

Travel Tuesday - Bucket List

I have many, many places on my bucket list...but I'm going to stick with the North American continent for this one.....as it's more likely I'll actually visit these places....

1.  Visit all 50 states....this is something I'm working on...and as of last year, I have been to 39..the states still to visit?

- Alaska (probably in 2 years on our 25th)
- Washington (see above)
- Oregon
- Idaho
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Utah
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Hawaii

So it's mainly the southwest and the northwest.....

2.  Prince Edward Island

Ever since I saw the Anne of Green Gables mini-series..I have wanted to visit....and it really isn't that far from me..about a full days drive..now that the Hubs has a passport!

3.  Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico

I have a great-grandmother who was born in Mexico...and supposedly she was Mayan.  Either way, I'd love to visit the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan.

4. Vancouver, Canada

Okay this one has to do with Stargate, the tv series.  I was originally going to go to Vancouver in 2007...it's the reason I got my passport....but I ended up going to San Diego with a friend instead....but I'd still like to visit Vancouver..seems like a very cool city...

5. Puerto Rico

Technically not on the North American continent, but since it is part of the US...most of my students come from Puerto Rico..and many of the teachers that are my colleagues.  I hear about Puerto Rico all of the time..and it seems like a beautiful place to visit...


There are still so many!  Just here in the US, I could name a bunch of places I want to visit....never mind heading over to Europe...or Australia/New Zealand....

Stop Dead Socks

Okay so I pulled all of my socks out....and let's take a look at them...

What do we notice?  Heel flaps and gussets, that's where I stop......All of these are still first socks...
The top one is Faces in the Wallpaper..and I need to rip it back to the beginning of the heel flap, as I have way too many stitches...

The second is Kai-Mei....I was stymied on the lace bit..I now have a little more experience, so think I can get this one done...these were why I learned to knit..I wanted these socks so badly...

The third is a plain vanilla sock...and luckily, I found my notes, so I know what the heel flap is now, but I think I'm going to rip it our and do the Eye of Partridge heel....

The last is Hermione's Everyday socks...and again...I'm on the gusset....

Meanwhile, I started another pair of vanilla socks, these Vanilla Latte

I finished the heel flap today and ham working on the gussets....the first one looks short, but it fits nicely...

Then I have these...

These I bought at Stitches a couple years ago...the pattern was intricate, but simple to follow....but I quit working on them...I just ripped back to the last knit row.....

These are finished, but look at them...

One is WAY TOO big..and the other is about an inch too short....really want to wear these..so need to fix them....

Most of my socks are on Lantern Moon DPNs...they are my preferred ones..and I buy them whenever I see them on sale.....

I've completed a few pair, but really only one fits me correctly...and yes I am learning as I go along...but I am also making myself finish at least two pair, without starting another pair...

I am in awe of Minding My Own Stitches and her ability with socks....I hope to rise to at least half of her skill....

YOP: Week #30

This week I have been working on my Nerd Wars Dissertation, which is my Lanesplitter skirt.  The yarn is rough on the fingertips...but I'm at 30 inches of the circumference.  I am shooting for 48 inches.

I have also been working on my Rainbow Wings and my Vanilla Latte socks.  I think my Rainbow Wings will be done for FO Friday....woo-hoo!!!!  I am trying to finish some WIPs, cuz I have others waiting in the wings to begin!

The toilet got fixed, but then last night, the handle in the bathtub broke! GRRR!  You fix one thing...sheesh!  But the  Hubs and I made a list of things that need to get done...and we are working through it...he loves crossing things off a list....

I also have my list...the things here...so I am trying to work on this list too...

2014 Completed Projects:  Gift Cowl 1/3/2014
17/17 Hats for students (December/January 2014)
Chicago Mitts (1/15/14)
Take Two Cowl (1/11/14)
Take Three Cowl  (1/22/14)
Twin Cowl (1/23/14)  
It's a Flesh Wound cowl (2/3/14)
BOK BOK (2/23) Ravellenics
Rainbar (2/22) Ravellenics
Rainmitts (2/22) Ravellenics
Rainbow Pom (2/9) Ravellenics
Helmetbow (2/22) Ravellenics
Jasper Hat and Mitts (2/23)
Elegant Downton Hat for swap (3/16/14)
Leprechaun Tam and Beard (3/16/14)
Baby Jacob Hat (3/23/14)
Sockhead Hat (3/28/14)
Dr. Who Scarf (2/13/14)
Oliver's Hat (4/8/14)
Crochet Crown (4/6/14)
Crochet Mermaid Barrette (4/6/14)
Crochet Rose Barrette (4/6/14)
Bunny Hat (4/17/14)
Snake bookmark (4/28/14) 
Tutti-Frutti Cowl (5/11/14)
Fifth of November (5/22/14)
Apocalypse gloves - for a swap (6/8/14)
Swap Secret Sprock  - for a swap (6/28/14)
Out of Gas - for a swap (7/7/14) (sooper secret project)
Hop on the Bus, Gus (7/20/14) NW T11R2
2 Stargate keychains as prizes
Zelda Cloche (7/21/14)
Spring Gloves (7/20/2014) NW T11R2
Chiana Cuff (7/20/2014) NW T11R2

WIPS: Crochet:
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.Orange cotton wrap (started ?)
Tis the Season (11/10/13)
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14)
 
Knit:
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done
Knit the Sky (1/1/14)
Light in Shadows (1/14/14)
Colored Wings (2/8/14)
Fire and Blood (5/4/14)
Garter Path (6/1/14)
Lanesplitter (7/7/14) NW Diss

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012)
Faces in Wallpaper (Sept 2013)
Adele Socks (April 2013)
H's Everyday Socks (Jan 2013)  
Johnny's Socks (Jan 2013)

Vanilla Latte (June 1, 2014)  

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011)
Larry Stashbuster Scarf (2012)
Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in
Misc:
Sunflower: (August 2012) Need a back and to felt
Water Bottle Cozy
 
Gifts/Charity: 
Owl for Rose
Hats for friend's babies

WIMs: Projects I have the yarn and the pattern
Sweaters:
Test Pattern Sweater
Car Coat
Cowl Vest
 
Shawls/Scarves/Cowls 
Rockefeller
Wholehearted
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
Daybreak
Trellis Shawl
Bedford Springs Shawl   
 
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
Sheepy Cuffs
Twisted Rib Mitts and Hat
 
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
Twin peaks
 
Bags:
Sarape Shopper
Pleated Purse
Circular Felted Bag

Stash Saturday - the Irish Version

So I have a really good friend who travels to Ireland almost every year.....her grandparents (both sides) were from Ireland and she has been visiting since she was a child.

So her visit a couple years ago resulted in some yummy yarn for me...she went to a mill..and brought back this...

There were no labels...and they have been weighed..one is about 7 and the other 9 ounces....they look like they are single ply, but about a sport weight...

Deidre says Ireland smells like these skeins....

She also stopped at a store and got these for me...

This year, she and her husband went back for their 25th...(they took their youngest with them)

And she brought back yarn for me again!

and this awesome mug...

I have been told that although there are a lot of sheep seen in Ireland, it is sometimes difficult to actually find yarn...I appreciate the effort....she's such a fabulous friend! (I will add another friend tried to get me yarn in Italy, but the shops were always closed)

Some random photos...

See sheep!

or these sheep!

Here's a fun one...

And the beauty of the country in this one...

That's her new sweater she bought there....it's GORGEOUS!!!!

And here is a throwback shot of her previous trip, her daughter was dancing in the World's..I believe it was her last competition, as she retired...

I made her that cowl....she is very knit/crochet worthy..and has received MANY from me....

FO Friday

I spent yesterday trying to change a showerhead....it did not go well...our shower is still leaking...

Today I'm going to be trying to fix the toilet.....wish me luck....

But on to crafty news....I finished my Zelda Cloche which was in the Interweave Crochet Spring 2014 magazine....It came out a bit big....I've been having issues with my sizing lately....

The yarn I used was really splitty...but I love the color..and am calling my hat, Orchid....

It's too darn hot to wear hats right now...but I will be wearing it soon...

Linking up with Fiber Arts Friday and Creative Friday...

WIPing Wednesday and What I'm Reading

What I'm Reading:  Horns by Joe Hill.  Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King and has published a short story book and three novels.  This one is his second novel.   My husband has read them all and really likes his books.  I was skimming through our nook library and decided to try it.  Plus I'd seen a still of Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) from the movie being filmed now....I'm enjoying it....still not sure where it is going, but I want to keep reading it...

This week I am working on trying to finish some wips....I finished my Zelda cloche, I'm calling Orchid....that will be posted on Friday.

I'm still working on my Rainbow Wings, and can't wait till its done...I want to use it....I really love it...I'm on the 8th wedge now, which is usually the last one, but since I added a second skein...I may add one or two more wedges...

I'm also working on my Lanesplitter, my skirt for Rhinebeck...its at the 50% mark right now.....the yarn is rough on the fingers, so I have to work on it in smaller batches....but I'm loving the colors! I just added the next two skeins.....

I'm gonna take a look at my other wips, to see what else I can finish...think I can get a sock or two finished, too....I have so many pairs begun.....

Joining in with Ginny this week

Travel Tuesday - The Two Harry Potters

Let's clear up a bit of a misunderstanding..some people commented last week about going to the Harry Potter park I posted last week, a couple years ago.....well not that park!  That park, Harry Potter: Diagon Alley is at Universal Park Hollywood,  just opened this year, July 8, 2014...

There are TWO Harry Potter parks...the first one..The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is at Universal Park Islands of Adventure and opened back in 2010. I went there in 2012..I checked and I never did a post about it, so here goes.....

This park has Hogwarts and Hogsmeade....

I went with my Mom and niece, Allison...

The entrance to Hogsmeade....it is set in winter....

This was not a running train, and you couldn't get on it.

There were all the shops from around the village...and we had butterbeer, which I found disgusting..so sweet..yuck!

There is an Ollivander's Wand shop in both parks, this was the line at the park in 2012.


The best part was the ride....we did wait in line for about three hours for it...

But they have all kinds of cool stuff to see, once you get into the castle proper...

 I thought it was the best ride I had ever been on...my mom and niece were terrified....They took a picture on the ride....and my mom and niece are holding hands..and I am grinning like an idiot....

It was the BEST ride I have ever been on!

So, in order to see both parts of Harry Potter's world, you must buy tickets to two different parks...They have a park-to-park pass now, where you ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks...I'm gonna do that next time!