Testing, testing...

Last night I started a test knit for my friend Lisa (www.lisaellisdesigns.com) and I LOVE it. It is a hat made with Mini Mochi in a mix of greens called "Fern". The colors are gorgeous and the pattern is wonderful, easy to remember but with enough interest to keep you knitting even though I'm using a size 2 needle. Can't wait to see it done in a worsted weight too.

At my knitting group today we heard all about Lisa's trip to TNNA and I can't wait to see all the new yarns, colors and patterns coming out this fall. I'll be posting a picture of my hat as soon as I can. It's a beauty! You can see a picture of Lisa's hat at www.lisaellisdesigns.blogspot.com.

Yorkshire Yarns...

Today I ventured out to Lakewood to see Yorkshire Yarns new shop and it is beautiful. It was great to see Sonja again and congratulate her on the new space. What a great space it is too, nice and open. I was also able to pick up the yarn I needed to finish a couple of projects so I'm excited about that, especially since I can now finish my own pair of flip flops.

I also made my first trip to Trader Joe's in University Place, I think I can get used to this store. I was getting bored with grocery shopping so it was nice to see some new stuff and to try out some new foods that will be healthier for us. Now... kids are settled in from school and eating their snacks so it's on to a little knitting for me, or maybe I should do some laundry. Ah, who needs clean underwear anyway, where are my knitting needles:)

World Wide Knit In Public Day...

Did you attend a WWKIP day event? I did... with two of my knittiing buddies, Sue and Kristen. Lisa was away at TNNA so she missed out. We decided to drive up to Renaissance Yarns at Kent Station, they were knitting outside in the center courtyard. It was a lot of fun, they were even filming a commercial while we were there. We started the day with shopping at their store, headed over for coffee (best white chocolate mocha I have ever had) and on to the courtyard for 3 hours of knitting. Topped the day off with another yummy lunch at the RAM... thanks Sue for sharing your BBQ pork pulled sliders, it was delicious. And, of course, we had to have the sweet potato fries again (I think I'm officially addicted to those suckers). It was a great "girls" day out! Sue and Kristen, you guys are the best. Thanks for the laughter and for always keeping a smile on my face!

I actually started working again on a pair of socks that I originally began in January (I think I had second sock syndrome with this pair). I'm now determined to finish them today (lol, but Quinton keeps on me about starting his slippers). I also purchased some more of the Punta merisoft space dyed yarn from Renaissance to make more gloves that will be added to my stash pile for gifts. I just love that yarn.

Well... whatever you did today I hope that you were able to get in some knitting. It was a beautiful day here in Washington, I hope it was in your neck of the woods too. Enjoy your Sunday!

Finished bag...

I finished my second bag and I love how it turned out. Hopefully it will hold up well. All the information is in my previous post, just wanted to show the finished piece. I think I will make one for myself now.

Busy, busy, busy...

It seems June crept up on me so fast and I have so much to do before the end of the school year. I'm working on several teacher projects, market/beach bags and I'm starting some test knitting for my dear friend Lisa Ellis. She's working on her new fall patterns and I can't wait to see them all (http://www.lisaellisdesigns.blogspot.com/, http://www.lisaellisdesigns.com/).

I'm using some yarns now I have never used before, Hempathy for my Medano Beach Bag ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/medano-beach) and Araucania Ulmo Multy for my market bag (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTeverlasting.html). I love both yarns but I really LOVE the Hempathy. It's actually nice to work with and I've heard it washes up really nice. Sure wish I was heading to TNNA with Lisa so I could see all the new yarns coming out. Should be a fun fall.

On a family note... the kids and I went and saw the new Disney movie yesterday, UP. It was a really fun movie, the kids loved it. I highly recommend it! Now on to my knitting...

Teacher gifts...

Well folks... it's that time of year again, the end of another school year. What to do for teacher gifts is usually on my mind all year but I never decide until it's almost too late. Did the same thing again this year... until a friend (Kristen) mentioned doing market bags. Then another friend (Lisa) suggested filling it with summer goodies so I came home and searched Ravelry for beach bags. This is what I found:

Medano Beach Bag found at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/medano-beach, I don't see that she has her own website. The yarn I used is Hempathy from Elsebeth Lavold that I bought at Linda's Knit'n Stitch in Silverdale.

I'm really loving this yarn so far, we will see how much it stretches and how it wears. The pattern calls for stripes but I couldn't find colors in stock that I liked together so I'm going with a solid green for one teacher and a solid purple for the other. I eventually plan to make one for myself with stripes when I find the right colors. The pattern is pretty simple, it is a lot of mindless knitting every row (made in the round) so if you get bored easily it might not be the project for you. If you just want a quick and easy project to take in the car, on a trip or out at summer events then this is perfect. I hope the teachers like them!

Memorial Day...

What a wonderful Memorial Day weekend it was, the sun was out, the weather was perfect and the margarita's were flowing... (a little too much last night!) Today I had to pick up my daughter in Lakewood, she had stayed the night at my sisters, so I decided to drop by Gottschalk (they are going out of business). Lisa(aka BFF) had told me they had dress forms for sale and we both have been wanting one for a long time now. I debated several weeks thinking "do I really need one" (my husband would be proud since that is his motto) but after today I couldn't resist... $10, yes for only $10 I got a wonderful form that I can now showcase sweaters on. What a steal... I may have to go back and get another one. I also picked up a display foot for my socks. Now that was a fun shopping trip. If you're interested in one they are closing next Saturday so make your way out there this week before the doors close for good. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

(Note: The picture in the middle is Hailey's sweater so it doesn't quite fit over the women's size dress form)