Black Friday at my LYS

So I have a couple of local yarn stores.  I mean I live in Connecticut, everything is pretty much within two hours.....but there are three yarn stores, actually four within an hour of me.  All are about 40 minutes away.(one is about 20 minutes away)....I stopped by my former very close local yarn store.  Seriously, she used to be 5 minutes up the road.....then I moved and she moved and now she is about 30 minutes away.  I stopped by yesterday for her Black Friday sale.....The store is New England Yarn and Spindle (I say Fiber in the video)...but we just call it Mary's store...

I went to the store for larger DPNs for the bulky hat KAL I am starting tomorrow.

I also picked up some WYS Cayenne Pepper, which was back ordered.  I'm going to use it for cuffs and heels.  I also bought this awesome Malabrigo Rasta for the KAL...and a ruler bracelet.  I've been waiting for her to get the smaller sizes back in...and of course the needles.

I also decided to head to another LYS, Stars Hollow, for some pompoms....I knew she had some good ones.  She had just put in an order, but I was able to find a grey one and a black and white one....

I also bought some Blue Sky Bulky to close up a hat....and three skeins of HiKoo Caribou for my gnome beards...and then a winter bag by Earl Grey Fiber Co.....

So these are the hats I have planned for the Put A Pom On It KAL with Nancy from Knit City...

Year of Projects: Year 6: Week 46

Good morning!  So yes, I finished that second pair of Christmas socks...At least these ones only took a year!

Pattern is Vanilla Latte, my go-to sock pattern.  Yarn is White Birch Fiber Arts in Santa Baby.  The red cuff and heel is, I believe from Two Sisters...I don't keep track of my minis as well as I do my full skeins.

I do have the Merry Knitmas socks still on the needles from Oink Pigments. It seems to be spiraling now, instead of one color on one side.

The cuff on this sock is Orion Slave Girl from Brazen Stitchery.  It was a free, surprise skein with an order.  I've used it for a couple of cuffs and heels now.  I don't tend to do a contrasting toe....

So a cute crochet gnome pattern popped up on Facebook and I had to try it...

Look HOW CUTE!!!!!  I will be making them for gifts.  I do need to stop to buy some little things to embellish them with....I have beads here, but small pompoms, etc.....They take less than an hour to make.  Some of the terminology she used was unfamiliar, but I've made so many toys/amiguramis that it was not difficult to figure out...the pattern is free at Mr. Micawber's Recipe for Happiness 

I have now a "gnome central"

I brought 4 more totes to the Homestead on Saturday.  Two are filled with "big-box" wool...Lion's Brand, Paton's, etc.  That is what I'm using.....the other two totes are yarn that is being gifted through the #getyouryarnwishesgranted.  Someone asked about that...it is winding down now, but it is on Instagram.

Also the mittens from last week are for my husband, so they need to be that big.  They actually fit him!

I also started Breeze.  A LYS named Marjis puts together awesome kits for her own patterns.  It's usually Kiougu yarn.  I picked this kit up on the last trip there....and cast on two weekends ago....it'll be quick, when I work on it....

So I think that is it....Have a great week...we have 2.5 days of school, then break...yeah!  Happy Thanksgiving to those American friends that celebrate....

2019 Finishes!!!!!

Muertos: 8/13/17-1/19/19
Who Socks: 10/7/18-1/22/19 (the Who socks were never on my list)
My Shelly Valentine: 2/10/16-2/9/19 (almost three years exactly!!!)
Alpaca Fun: 2/24/19-3/3/19
Green is the Best: 12/23/18-3/10/19
Willow Fields: 9/6.14-3/16/19
Lucy's Zebra 7/5-7/6/19
Black Widow Shawl 5/5/19-7/12/19
Lucy's Elephant Reserve 7/24/18-8/2/19
Shark Socks 7/28/19-8/12/19 
Swedish Block 8/20/19 - 8/24/19
Garter stitch block 8/24/19
Samples 8/28/19 finished

Throwback Poncho October 12, 2019

Mixed PomPom Hat October 13, 2019

Brainzzz - October 26, 2019

Bulky Cowl - Nov 9, 2019

Candy Cane socks - Nov 11, 2019

Santa Baby - Nov 20, 2019

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.Venetian Cowl (July 1, 2018)

Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Took it out, at the separation of arms, looks really big!
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18
Beekeeper Cardigan - 7/1/18
Knits4Comfort Advent Shawl: 12/13/18
Breeze 11/16/19

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

2017Games Socks- 2/15/18
Cloudy Rainbows - 5/11/18 

Sunny Skies - 5/12/18
Zombie Candy Corn - Oct 7, 2018Merry Xmas - Box O'Chocolates: 2/9/19, frogged 7/21/19
Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Merry Knitmas - 10/1/19

Rhinebeck Socks - 10/6/19

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out..


Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Year of Projects: Year 6, Week 45

Good afternoon!  So I skipped last week, I just didn't have anything to share....but I do this week!

I made a cowl out of Malabrigo Carocol.  I really love this yarn and the cowl was quick and easy (a couple of hours).  I bought some orangey color for myself.

The pattern is LYTC Super Bulky Cowl by Kelly Hechinger, a free pattern

I also finished a long standing pair of Christmas socks....

This is just a vanilla pattern, but it took two years!!!!  The yarn is by Mothy and the Squid.  The colorway is Candy Cane.  I love them now, but when I first started them I was disappointed by the stripes. June 2017 to November 2019

I also almost finished a hat, but.....

the Hubs says it looks like "an old lady hat" and it does.  I may try it as a cowl or just donate it.  I made a hat out of this yarn, but in white with colorful flowers and it looks better.....

I also have almost finished another pair of Christmas socks, these started last year...

I'm on the foot of the second sock...

I also pulled out the Hubs Malabrigo mittens.  I'm following Kate Atherly's Knit Accessories pattern

They are way too big for me, good thing they are for him...I had to rip them out three times before I realized I was measuring from the wrong place

To finish up...It is #getyouryarnwishesgranted time on Instagram.  I wished for some self stripe yarn and was sent this...

I did not ask for indie-dyed and I will use this yarn.  I think it is all Opal...there is only one ball band...but Opal wears well!  I also wished for donations for my Donor's Choose campaign, which has now been fully funded!!!!  I will be shipping out some wishes later this week....

So that's about it...I'm on a kick the WIPs in the butt tear right now....

Also I posted a video earlier in the week, if you have a few minutes, or wonder what I sound like......What's in the Tub?

2019 Finishes!!!!!

Muertos: 8/13/17-1/19/19
Who Socks: 10/7/18-1/22/19 (the Who socks were never on my list)
My Shelly Valentine: 2/10/16-2/9/19 (almost three years exactly!!!)
Alpaca Fun: 2/24/19-3/3/19
Green is the Best: 12/23/18-3/10/19
Willow Fields: 9/6.14-3/16/19
Lucy's Zebra 7/5-7/6/19
Black Widow Shawl 5/5/19-7/12/19
Lucy's Elephant Reserve 7/24/18-8/2/19
Shark Socks 7/28/19-8/12/19 
Swedish Block 8/20/19 - 8/24/19
Garter stitch block 8/24/19
Samples 8/28/19 finished

Throwback Poncho October 12, 2019

Mixed PomPom Hat October 13, 2019

Brainzzz - October 26, 2019

Bulky Cowl - Nov 9, 2019

Candy Cane socks - Nov 11, 2019

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.Venetian Cowl (July 1, 2018)

Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Took it out, at the separation of arms, looks really big!
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18
Beekeeper Cardigan - 7/1/18

Merry Knitmas - 10/1/19

Rhinebeck Socks - 10/6/19

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

2017Games Socks- 2/15/18
Cloudy Rainbows - 5/11/18 

Sunny Skies - 5/12/18
Merry Xmas - Box O'Chocolates: 2/9/19, frogged 7/21/19
Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

What's In The Tub?

If you've got 17 minutes, you can see what's in the tub.

I'll be posting on Sunday for my Year of Projects...I have two completed projects, wonder if I can finish another by then?  TTFN

Year of Projects: Year Six, Week 43

Good morning!  I really have no new crafting news....I have added some rows onto my Merry Knitmas socks...I spoke to Oink Pigments yesterday at Fiber Festival of New England...she is very surprised at how the sock is knitting up...no it is not self-stripe, but should be more of a variegated,,,

So, yes I went to the Fiber Festival of New England.  My friend, Danae went with me.  She is non-fibery, but had expressed an interest in attending an event.  She was surprised at the prices of things...LOL.....

I know a lot of the vendors, but unfortunately this is a very white event...there were no vendors that were diverse (that I saw)....with all the recent discussion in our community, you would think they had reached out to more diverse vendors.....I sent them a message and hopefully they will follow up...I know some other people also questioned this.....and at least one black attendee felt uncomfortable...vendors not greeting her, but greeting the person that walked in to the booth behind her, who happened to be white.  I'm still so surprised that this is happening in our community.  It's disappointing...

But I did make some purchases, not a lot, but enough...

The two skeins of yarn are from White Birch Fiber Arts, self stripe, of course....Squad Goals and We the People...the chicken yarn bowl is from Brown Bunny.  I also bought a smaller chicken bowl from her.  I also bought the festival sweatshirt, as I try to support them each year.   A new bag from Jessalu and then a small purse.  The purse is from a vendor that recycles men's suits.  I bought a much bigger purse from them a couple years ago at Rhinebeck... oh there is a very colorful pompom that you can't really see......that;s it...that;s all I bought.....Maureen and I are planning on going to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC in January..we go every couple of years.  Maureen wasn't able to go yesterday as she was campaigning for a local candidate.   Then Stitches United is back in Hartford this year...that's in March.....

Going to spend the day working on some socks...need to get past some heels!  Maybe I'll have a finish next week!

2019 Finishes!!!!!
Muertos: 8/13/17-1/19/19
Who Socks: 10/7/18-1/22/19 (the Who socks were never on my list)
My Shelly Valentine: 2/10/16-2/9/19 (almost three years exactly!!!)
Alpaca Fun: 2/24/19-3/3/19
Green is the Best: 12/23/18-3/10/19
Willow Fields: 9/6.14-3/16/19
Lucy's Zebra 7/5-7/6/19
Black Widow Shawl 5/5/19-7/12/19
Lucy's Elephant Reserve 7/24/18-8/2/19
Shark Socks 7/28/19-8/12/19 
Swedish Block 8/20/19 - 8/24/19
Garter stitch block 8/24/19
Samples 8/28/19 finished

Throwback Poncho October 12, 2019

Mixed PomPom Hat October 13, 2019

Brainzzz - October 26, 2019

Works In Progress:         
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden)-not sure he'd want this anymore, being a high school freshman and all, but I think I'll finish it for him. He is now a sophomore.
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I looked at this recently and I'm still liking it, so I'll keep it...maybe make it a baby blanket instead.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.Venetian Cowl (July 1, 2018)

Knit: 
Learn to Knit Afghan: (started 2010): 3 squares done, I put this in the giveaway yarn bags..not thrilled with colors....will use squares at school for water bottles..
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Think I'm going to frog and do different mitts or crochet them.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- still working on them, again cabling
Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much!  Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Took it out, at the separation of arms, looks really big!
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, mitered blanket
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18
Beekeeper Cardigan - 7/1/18

Merry Knitmas - 10/1/19

Rhinebeck Socks - 10/6/19

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Candy Cane June 21, 

2017Games Socks- 2/15/18
Cloudy Rainbows - 5/11/18 
Sunny Skies - 5/12/18
Merry Xmas - Box O'Chocolates: 2/9/19, frogged 7/21/19
Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Scarves/Shawls:
Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out.. 

Bags:
Beach Bag: (started May 2010)  Just needs lining sewn in, I used it this year without the lining...so may just call it a day on this.... 

 KAL/CALs: 
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14)  - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy