Stitch Along: Week 15

Damn!  Had the post almost done and it disappeared...and even though I saved it,  but it was gone....

So, mostly I've worked on the three projects that were completed last week.....but have also made a chemo hat for my friend...she requested a green hat with a big flower on it...

I also worked a bit on my Irish socks.....

but I was also like this for part of the day on Monday

I'm a little doped up on a muscle relaxer....I have whiplash from being rear-ended on the way to work yesterday morning!  The weather was all kinds of crappy, as were the roads....

He hit me so hard, he cracked the frame of my car.....I was stopped at a red light, he said he had stopped, but slid into me....This is the third time this car will need body work....I was rear-ended a few years ago (again because of crappy weather) and then when the garage fell on my car (again, weather related!)....I love my little Mazda...zoom-zoom!!!

Oh and I also wound most of the yarn for those two sweaters......

How about your week?  Please post and link back....not sure I'll keep this up, as I have so few people linking up...

Year of Projects: Week 15

Last week's goals:
This week, my goals are:
- to finish the Zombie Valentines
- finish or close to finish the Kiss Me, I'm Irish
- Finish the first sock on Hudson Bay
- figure out and work the Fish Kiss Lips heel on Keep Swimming
- wind the yarn for the two sweaters planned
- possible start moving yarn totes up to attic room, after logging what's in each tote

In addition, I have to make a poster for my friend, do the taxes (last year I can do the simple form on my own), clean the house.

I really liked having a weekly goals list, so think I might keep it up....So I finished the Zombie Valentines, and not only finished the first Hudson Bay, BUT finished the pair of Hudson Bays!  So I completed TWO pair of socks this week.  In addition, I also finished my Fortune's Shawlette...so a total of THREE projects this week!

I will be doing the taxes later today (remember that whole procrastinator thing I mentioned?) I also spent some time with friends (and got that poster finished) and spent time with the Hubs...was sick for about a day and a half....marathoned the tv show The Arrangement, did some shopping, yarn and other varieties....AND met Patricia Polacco!!!!!!!!

My finished post with the socks and shawlette is here, if interested...

Patricia Polacco has been my favorite children's author for years.  Meeting her was on my bucket list!! It was amazing hearing her speak and then meeting her....

I also stopped by Westport Yarns to browse...and picked up the new Knitscene and some yarn to make the Waves Tank..

So I am back to school tomorrow for the end of the year push...right now our final day is June 15 (was supposed to be June 6, damn snow days!) We have two state mandated tests coming up...one my students are used to taking, one is brand new....so I am brainstorming some ideas for behavior and this final push...

So this week's goals:
- work on Kiss Me, I'm Irish and get to heels (at least)
- do that FLK heel on my Keep Swimming socks
- swatch for the Waves Tank
- pull out The Meandering Top and see where I'm at (it's been hibernating)

I think that will be enough for the week.....and I still have the items from last week's goals

So my updated list:

2018 Finished Projects:
Millennial Slytherin Mitts - Jan 6, 2018 
KG AMi - Jan 10, 2018
Shamrock Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Snowflake Hat - Jan 20, 2018
Elephant Reserve - February 11, 2018
Bunny Hat - February 12, 2018
Blue Wave - February 12, 2018
Folding Chairs - March 4, 2018
Jessica Jones 2 - March 7, 2018
Chicken Scratch Sock (test knit) - March 8, 2018 (only one sock)
Zombie Latte Socks (Zombie Valentine) - April 8. 2018
Fortune's Shawlette - April 11, 2018
Hudson Bay Socks - April 12, 2018

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.
Throwback Poncho 2/19/17


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)- why I may crochet the others...have these and 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) - Totally forgot about this...could get it done to wear in spring...I think I was debating whether to do the bottom ruffle...it's not a good placement for me...
Multnomah (8/21/16)- stuck on feather and fan edging, have too many stitches, in timeout. Stitch count continues to be off.
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

Socks:
Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - has not changed, 
Carlos and Arne socks (July 3 2015)- using a 9" needle...keep losing stitches. 
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...
Just Keep Swimming - (6/16/16) 
Muertos - 8/13/17
Games Socks- 2/15/18
I'm Irish - 3/3/18

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.. 
Willow Fields (9/6/14) - ran out of yarn, waiting on yarn 
My Shelly Valentine (2/10/16) - should finish for this year's Valentine's Day, yeah, that did not happen


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

Sock Yarn Swap

So this new group I found is having a sock yarn swap.....I have received my swappee and have done some stalking....so now I need to give some ideas about myself....

I post a Saturday Stash Acquisition post many Saturdays, so by looking back on those posts, you get an idea of what I buy....also my stash page is pretty up to date on Ravelry, just the acquisitions in the past month are not up to date....

1. I love self striping....I'm on a huge self striping kick right now....
2. I do have acrylic, but would not want it for socks.
3.  I do buy "commercial yarn," but most of my sock yarn is from indie dyers. I really try to support the small and local when I can...so an indie dyer local to you would be all kinds of awesome.
4. My favorite colors are greens, all kinds, but particularly chartreuse.  I have been trying to collect all the shades of chartreuse.   Purples would be next, and I've actually been keeping my eyes out for a nice self striping purple or gradient for socks...Then autumn colors.....The only color I really don't wear is peach.  If I do pink, it tends to be either a rose pink or a fuchsia type pink....and I don't do pastels...I like brights....
5. Gradients and varigates are great too....I have plenty of them, just on a self-stripe kick right now...I'm seduced by those Gobstopper balls....I don't have much solid or semi-solid in sock yarn, not against it, just don't tend to buy it for socks.
6. I am a SUCKER for any yarn that is themed to one of my many nerddoms....just to list a few...Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, HUNGER GAMES, Harry Potter, there are so many!!!  Jane Austen, Little Women, The Secret Garden (favorite book of ALL time) Anne of Green Gables (there has been a lot of these lately and I've gotten none - scratch that...did get some at Stitches United for a shawl), ET, Stranger Things, Travelers,...I could go on..and on...Wizard of Oz was my first love....I'd love any A Wrinkle in Time color or Patricia Polacco...(I've not seen any, but I'm going to meet her tomorrow - Screeeeeeeee!!!!)
7. I am Graceysgoodies on Instagram, but TammyG on Ravelry.....
8. My blog pretty much lets you know about me and my likes and dislikes....

I think that is a lot....and should give you a good idea of what I like.....happy stalking!!!

Wrapup Friday

So it's been quite a while since I have posted about a finished object and this week I have THREE!!!!!

I have finished two pairs of socks....the Zombie Valentines

I love these so much!!!  The yarn is by Brazen Stitchery, My Zombie Valentine, and the spots are "zombie blood." The contrast heel is from Two Sisters....I am playing with the contrast heel concept, so trying new heels, but so far the heel flap fits me the best...I'm not normally a pink fan, but just love it in this color combination...the third color alternates between grey and a lilacy color depending on the light....
Started: June 21, 2017
Finished: April 8, 2018
Needle: Kollage square 9 inch circular/size 1(2.25 mm)
Pattern: Vanilla pattern with an Eye of Partridge heel
Aren't they so awesome???

The second pair are my Hudson Bay socks....I first saw this sock and yarn on Susan B. Anderson/s blog.  I ordered the yarn, and it was a long wait, as she was swamped after the blog post....I followed Susan's recipe for the sock and her basic pattern....The yarn is from Fishknits in Canadiana

Love these so much!  Question, what can I do to make sure the red doesn't bleed into the white?  I have always wanted a Hudson Bay Blanket Coat...this is the next best thing...
Started: June 21, 2017
Finished: April 12, 2018
Needles: Knitpicks 5" dpns size 1/2.25 mm
Pattern: Susan B. Anderson basic sock

And then I finished a shawl....

Not a great picture...that is my blocking setup at the moment...It's the living room floor of the upstairs apartment.  As soon as we rent the apartment, I'll have to move the setup to that third floor room.  I'm going to possibly buy blocking mats. 
Started: May 20, 2017
Finished: April 11, 2018
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK (bought on the I90 Sock Hop last year)
Pattern: Fortune's Shawlette (a crochet pattern)  This is the second time I've made this pattern
Hook: Clover soft handle 4.5mm..

I keep seeing this with a pair of jeans and a white button down shirt.....

So all of these were WIPs from 2017...the socks weren't actually started on the same day...I had done the cuff of one of the Hudson Bay socks, but hadn't set up the Ravelry page yet....so just put that date...I still have over 30 WIPs listed in my ravelry project pages....and since I finished two pairs of socks...I amy have to cast on another pair....sigh...

I'm going to throw up the link for anyone else who may have a finish.....also for my swap partner stalker...I'll have a post up later today or tomorrow with more specifics....

Stitch Along: Week 14

Well since I am on Spring Break, I have been busy....I think I may have my fastest sock done this week!

I finished the first one yesterday and immediately cast on the second...today I turned the heel!  So maybe get the foot done tomorrow...hmmm....

I also worked on my crochet shawl.....I am almost done with the third and final ball of yarn....

It's more blue than grey.....I took the pictures at night.....

Started on the chemo cap for my friend Deirdre.  She requested a specific hat.....I have crocheted a hat in awhile and I actually had to look up a pattern.....There will be a giant flower on it when it is done....

Of the six goals I gave myself on my YOP post on Sunday, I can cross off two of them!!!!!!

So what have you been doing?  Have you been busy this week?  Hook up with us...

Got Sock Stash? Wanna Swap?

Hello!!!  A quick post to let you know about an opportunity to swap some sock yarn stash...
Kat at FelinityKnits is hosting a sock yarn (stash) swap.  It's quick...signups close Wednesday, April 11 (my brother's birthday, because all my students tell me every relative's birthday, I'll also tell you mine!!!)

So pop on over, if you'd like to join up.....

It' Monday, what are you reading?

Skipped last week, but back in for this week....I'm going to share the last two picture books I read to my class......next week I'll have some chapter books, but I need to finish reading them....

We had a book fair this past week, always have one during parent conferences... It was a Buy One, Get One Free.....Good deal!  So I bought a book for each of my students!  They picked them out, they had to be less than $6 and it had to be a narrative book....check them out

They were very excited!  I bought a Superhero Manual to read to them, plus another picture book and a chapter book, but they are in my car at the moment...so don't remember the titles....

This is a book I bought last year at the book fair...(I try to buy books every year to help support) It's a fun book...the main character wants quiet, so he is going to make a wordless book...however his two friends haven't quite caught on to the concept yet.....It's a good book for discussing frustrations and the skill of listening....

and one of my favorite books...

I LOVE Molly Lou Melon!  There is a sequel called, Have Fun Molly Lou Melon.  I haven't read that one to my class yet.  Molly Lou is a very unique little girl, but she is supported by a grandma who gives her wise advice.  It's great for talking about differences and accepting them in each other...Molly Lou reminds me of Katie from The Recess Queen, which is another favorite.  Although that one is more centered on bullying....

I am trying to read that second knit book: A Knit Before Dying by Sadie Hartwell

But with sentences like this one, sometimes it's a slog to get through:

"Not that there had been any secret about that--the moving truck parked on Main Street had been as conspicuous as a rhinoceros at a tea party, even in Dorset Fall's moribund downtown, and it had been clearly visible from the general store, where most Dorset Fall-its congregated at some point or another."
That's a 53 word sentence!!!! 
And she says the same thing twice...all of Dorset Falls saw the moving truck.....And again I'm thrown off by the whole "she's from New York and this is a small town, that is not NYC"  The author mentions MANY times that the main character is from New York....so again, I want to like it...and I'm reading the second book, but I doubt I'll read any other things she might write.... 

If you'd like to join in...here are the people hosting:
Kathryn at The Book Date
Jen at Teachmentortexts
Kellee of Unleashingreaders