Sockapalooza 4!

I know I've mentioned earlier that I signed up for sockapalooza but I'm just so excited about it!
I dyed my sock yarn with pink lemonade kool-aid. It didn't turn out too even but I think it'll be soooo pretty anyway! I was researching some other patterns this morning. I wanted it to be lacy but not too lacy, kwim? Has anyone knit Embossed Leaves from IK? I read on another blog(I forget which) that it makes a very loose sock so I'm a little nervous.
I'm also sooo curious about the sockpal who is making my socks. I didn't put too much in my sock preferences because I didn't want to just dictate a style and then not be surprised at all.
I love every color-- except maybe puce or something but even still in the proper place, who knows?
I need to email my sock pal(since she doesn't have a blog) and see how she'd like lacy stuff. I'm not sure how much info to divulge.
This is sooo much fun!
Hopefully, I'll get some pictures up after Sheep and Wool this weekend!

No pics today, I had to give the camera back to my mom.
Its been an exhausting week. We just got back yesterday from a whirlwind trip to my Grandpa and Grandma's house. They needed some steps built off their back porch so they asked Dan to build those for them. We only had 3 days to get it done and Dan put the last balusters up at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday-- just in time!
Anyway, it was a nice enough visit. I got some knitting time in. The back is done on my Mom's sweater and almost one side is done. I think I'm going to run out of yarn. I knew it was coming but I just hope I can squeeze out the other front piece before I run out of yarn. I'm not sure if Kraemers still has that color(Fantasy Naturale navy blue/lt. blue mouline) I bought it 2 years ago so I'm not holding my breath. I think if I can find just the right navy I'll do the sleeves and button band in that.
The front of the baby dress is almost done. The stitches are a little wonky so hopefully a good blocking will help with that.
I'm working on my design for a tank . I want to wear it to the Sheep and Wool Festival next week so I hope I can get it done.
I finally got to my brother's to felt their slippers. They loved them! I've managed to make another pair for my sister in the time since I last posted!
Kind of a boring post without pictures so I'll leave it a that.

Thought I’d post quick while my dinner is cooking(we’re having fried chicken if you’re interested.)
Its been a pretty busy couple of weeks around here. Actually, it wasn’t too bad, but for me, busy.
I went to my favorite yarn store this week. If you’ve ever been to Kraemers you know how great they are—if not head on over to their website. I made a sweater out of their Naturally Nazareth and socks out of Tatamy Tweed DK. It is just really nice yarn. They recently added a few new ones to their lines and I couldn’t resist! They also started stocking a bit more variety and they have EXCELLENT prices on sock yarn.

Clockwise l-r: tan Tatamy Tweed, bare sock yarn "Jeannie", teal Tatamy Tweed
I got the bare sock yarn for my Sockapalooza pal even though I don’t know who it is yet! I just stocked up on kool-aid and read Eunny’s tutorial for dyeing self-striping yarn. I can’t wait to start. The yarn is super soft, too!
The Tatamy Tweed worsted was in their clearance bin! Yeah! I'm thinking a cute stripey summer tank.

So, I have a gazillion projects currently on the needles but here are the ones I’m really working on right.

clockwise l-r:Magic stripe socks, trekking socks, sweater for mom, cotton fleece baby dress

The blue one is actually from my original list of 2007 knits The pattern is in the newest Vogue Knitting(Pattern #19 if you must know). It was exactly what I was looking for!
I just can’t get into those Magic Stripe socks anymore. I only have like 7 more rows to go but. . . after the Trekking XXL, it is so nasty. The pink one is at the boring stage. 6 inches of stockinette,ho-hum. sorry its a little blurry

These are our first little plants--broccoli and lettuce. We planted them on Monday and they're already this big!

It's been a week since my last post. How do people blog everyday?

I did finish my felted slippers yesterday! They are so cute! I can't wait to felt my brother's slippers. He's going to love them(aren't you, Mike?)
Specs:
Pattern: Fibertrends Felt Clogs
Yarn: Patons Classic wool in Regency and Paprika with Woolpak 10ply dyed with orange koolaid for the first sole.
Size: 6
Supergreat pattern. This is the third time I've made it but first time I've felted it. And they were easy and fun! Highly recommend!


I went to Tangled Yarns in Bethlehem today. Its so nice in there! I got two skeins of Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece. I love LOVE this yarn. I'm making the Brittany jumper from Minnowknits. They had one done in the shop.Too cute!(Actually, they've had it in there for a while but I only just realized that I HAD to knit it:) I did an actual guage swatch(!) and I'm right on-- oh yeah!

I actually have a Finished object today. No, its not the good and plenty sock. Its not the turquoise sweater or anything from the list.

Its my green fleece jacket!

I made this last October(or was it September?) I tried it on before I sewed the buttons on and I thought it might be a little frou-frou with that ruffly thing on the bottom. Then I lost one of the buttons and it didn't turn up for a week or two. I decided to hang the jacket up in the closet and leave the button in the box. Last night, though, I decided I wanted to wear it. I sewed the button, cut some strings and threw it on! I still feel a little weird but I'm determined to wear it until I am comfortable in it. I like to sew but I get frustrated very easily. I demand instant gratification with that but I can knit for weeks and still be excited about my project. Weird, huh?

I am so excited about easter candy. I found the Sixlets while walking around Walmart yesterday. Only $1 a bag!I have wanted the peeps for weeks now and just decided to grab 'em!
I love sugar!

Of Socks and Bugs

Yeah!!! My Wee Tiny Sock is finally here!!!! Thank you so much, Sue! I love it!!! It was sent out a little bit late--- but its okay! It was worth the wait! Great idea, Emily! See ya next year!


That's about it for knitting news around here. The turquoise sweater is on hold as I really want to design it myself. I tried a new stitch pattern(Versailles border) a few nights ago. I picked one that I thought looked more difficult and it wasn't so bad, especially for a border. And its a French design .I'm soooo happy about that. I just have a thing for all things French!

These pictures sum up my frustration for the past few days.

Box-elder bugs. Huge clumps right outside my kitchen window. I did some research and found out that a mixture of soap and water will kill them. It doesn't work. Oh sure, a few dropped over, but not that many They don't contaminate food and they don't really get into anything. But they're coming into my house in droves. Hmmm. . .

I was going to wait to post until my wee tiny sock came in the mail so I would have some superfun pictures to post but I am tired of waiting. Since I've adopted that defeatist and slightly depressed attitude, it'll probably arrive tomorrow. Works every time.

I just got back from going out to dinner with my lovely husband. He's playing the piano in a restaurant tonight so we ate there first. He gets a free meal so its cheap. Just a good deal all around. Mom and Dad(and Adam) came tonight so I hitched a ride home with them. Last time I drove down the hill to St#$%*&ks and drank the world's crappiest mocha in the universe while I knitted on the good and plenty sock. Not a fan of that particular coffee joint. Yuck! Why pay $3.50 for a burned, greasy coffee? I guess I did, but not again. Back to the point, I'm so glad I got to come home and put my jammies on. I can knit in the comfort of my own home.

Here are some pictures of my turquoise yarn. I think I'm just going to knit a Honeymoon cami with it.(Of course I'll modify, what's the fun of keeping to the pattern?) Thicker straps, different stitch pattern on the bottom who knows? Time to swatch it doubled. I really wanted to design my own sweater but I'm just not inspired lately. Hum.

Knitpicks has fabulous(looking) new yarn out. A linen-cotton blend that I'm itching to get my hands on. I have 5 skeins of the red in my "stash" now so maybe I'll actually order(and the rest of my wants) soon.

I've applied for a super great job recently and I'm having a really hard time waiting to hear about it. I think because its a job I really want, not just one I have to get because I need money. I'm pretty optimistic but. . . still . . . . .

Well, since the post doesn't have any kind of central topic, I let you go(assuming you're still around reading all this drivel.) Have a great weekend!!

P.S: Is anyone else planning their sheep and wool trip yet?