One Happy Ravenclaw

My package from Avada arrived today! Whee! She told me the other day that she was finishing much sooner than anticipated and should be mailing soon. She certainly spoiled me!

Super comfy House Socks, pretty stitch markers, Empress size 2 needles, Cascade fixation yarn, pedicure set, lotion, magnet, Harry notepad, dark chocolate (mmmm moose munch, won't last long...) & jam! I'm overwhelmed!

Not only were there yummy treats for me, but there were even goodies for Corrina. The greenie is already history and the freezer pops are being eagerly awaited. :)

Close up of stitch markers

Ravenclaw House Socks

The socks fit perfectly & are super comfy. They are warming the feets even as I type! :) Thanks so much for making this the most fun swap ever!

Muggle Post Comes Through

My fair Gryffindor's package arrived safely! Yippie! And she's loves it! XD

So, now I can talk about what I sent. First off, I want to show you the adorable stitch markers I got for her from Sunneshine's Etsy shop.

Aren't they friggin' adorable?! Sunneshine is a great seller too, they arrived within 2 days of me ordering them!

Ok, now for the socks.
I made her Fawkes socks using Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in Sugar Maple. Let me say, totally love that yarn! It's the first time I've used it but it won't be the last. Really, a super joy to knit with! So soft & warm, unfortunately it's not superwash, but it's worth the little extra care.

Pattern Notes: I used size 2 dpns for this pattern. Really easy lace pattern. Quickly memorized & very quickly knit. Unfortunately the flame pattern doesn't pop as much with the variegated yarn, but I think its lovely anyways. Will probably knit these again.

This was actually the 3rd pattern, as well as the 3rd yarn choice I had for this swap. I initially picked one of the simple house sock patterns, then the quidditch socks. I was unable to get proper sizing with either even though I was using the recommended needles & yarn (Lang's Jawoll), which is really crappy yarn & will never be purchased by me again. Seriously, bleck! I will mostly likely just bin the skeins I have.

So that's it for me with the swapping for now. Avada is about half-way done with my socks and will mostly likely be sending my package towards the end of October, which is the actual ship date. The Mystery Theme Swap I'm hosting has finished registration & I've got 54 people signed up! I'm just managing this, unless someone backs out. :)

Worky Work, Busy, Busy

Most of my free time lately has been spent getting the Mystery Theme Swap up & running. It's been a lot of work, but I'm enjoying it. I hope it comes off well.

Anywho. I'm just popping in here for a quick update until things settle down a bit. My package for the Hogwarts Sock Swap was sent off a month early, in typical Ravenclaw over-achiever fashion, and my Gryffindor pal, Avada, should be receiving it either today or Monday. I'm so excited. I hope she likes it!

Also, I have started on my Christmas knitting. A pair of socks is on the needles for one lucky recipient. And one very lucky person will be getting something made with this...
No details will be given at this time in case said person decides to read my blog. :)

So, now I'm off to do some knitting & a bit more organizing. It will probably be several days before I can post again, so I will leave you with a bit of Corrina cuteness.

"Stay away from my chicken if youse
knows whats good for youse"

Seattle Story

One of Seattle's pigs

I don't want to give a long, drawn out account of our trip. Frankly, we didn't do much. Our purpose was to hang out with family & friends and to finally meet little Declan. This we did, and we had a wonderful time. I'm just sorry our trip was so short.

Declan's feet in the socks I knit

The t-west contingency was very kind to put up with us for the weekend, we are such trying creatures. Honey's brother even made us homemade bagels on Saturday morning! Next time we will have to stay longer so we can have more time with everyone and maybe have time to hit the yarn shops. :)

BTW- with all of that time on planes (6+hrs each way), I was able to finish my Gryffindor socks! The package is almost ready to go, I just need to pick up some goodies...

If That's What You're Into

Finished the first Gryffindor sock! Whee! 4th time's the charm apparently. I'm very pleased with the pattern and the resulting sock. Seriously loving this yarn too. It's the first time I've knitted with this particular brand, but it definitely won't be the last. Yummy!

In Sockapalooza news, my downstream pal finally received her package! I was so worried that it was held up in customs or lost. Such a relief! And she appears to like her package! Yippie! My upstream pal contacted me last week to let me know that I'm not forgotten and that she is almost done. I hope to have my package within the next week or so.

In other news, Honey & I have been catching up on episodes of Flight of the Conchords On Demand, thanks to the encouragement of Joanne. OMG! This is my favorite show right now (aside from Dr. Who). So incredibly funny! And the song spoofs are brilliant! The stars are a comedy team from New Zealand, and the premise of the show is that they are a band from New Zealand trying to make it in New York City. Honey says that it shows everything about the music business that Spinal Tap missed. The "Bowie" episode is particularly great. Here's a little taste... (Psst, this isn't for the kiddies!)

The Owl Has Landed!

Hallelujah! The new sock yarn has arrived! My poor owl is getting quite a workout with all my indecision on this project! The red isn't as dark as I had hoped, and there is a little bit of orange in the yarn, but I think it will work perfectly with the pattern I have chosen. I just hope my fair Gryffindor pal will be pleased.

Off to knit...

Drats! Foiled Again!

Ok. These Gryffindor socks are out to get me! I worked the leg on both socks, turned the heel & started the foot on one. It was looking kinda small so I tried it on. Well... I attempted to try it on. I couldn't get the dang thing over my heel. Now, Avada's feet are a little smaller than mine but not much. If I can't get it over my heel, the likelihood is that she won't be able to either.

Now I have a dilemma. I really like this pattern...
but the number of stitches is not adaptable. The yarn I have needs to be knit on size 1 needles or smaller. In order to use this pattern I will need to find a different yarn that can work on size 2+ needles. I actually have some Lorna's Laces that would be perfect but they were picked out by Autumn especially to be knit into socks for her. I think she would hurt me if the yarn was misappropriated.

So, do I search for a different yarn? Or do I go on yet another pattern search in order to use the yarn I already have? Input is desired and the cats are no help!

UPDATE: I have just purchased yarn that I think will do quite nicely for this project and should allow me to up the needle size! Now I just need to wait for it to arrive! I guess I will just have to cast-on something else to knit in the meantime.

Oy!

Kris flew out to NY on Wednesday to do sound at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival for the Circus. He was supposed to fly home last night but his flights were canceled due to weather. They were supposed to get him out today. He just called, his flights were canceled AGAIN! Grr.. the best they can do is get him on stand-by for a 6am flight tomorrow morning, so he extended the rental on his car and is driving home. He should be home by early afternoon tomorrow at the latest. (sigh)

I did finally block the Not-Quite-Straight Scarf and I'm very pleased with the results...

before blocking

after
detail photo

As biased-knit scarves go I prefer the snowy triangle scarf, but this is still quite lovely and certainly very easy to do. I really like knitting on the bias with variegated yarns.

I'm also making good progress on the Wheat-Ear Cable Yoke sweater for Autumn. I've finished the front & back (up to the join)and am about 1/4 way through the sleeves (knitting both at the same time). Gotta get this finished by the 13th for her birthday!

And, the second batch of yarn arrived today for the Hogwarts Sock Swap. I went with the Scarlet that is stated in the books rather than the burgundy that was used in the movies and most used when knitting Gryffindor items.
Avada, what do you think? This is a pretty good representation of the color (on my screen at least; it's definitely scarlet). If it's too bright for you I have no problems sending it back and getting the darker color. :)

Oh! I also got my downstream pal's Sockapalooza package shipped off to Germany on Saturday! Domestic packages are supposed to go out this coming weekend, so I should receive my package sometime next week! Squee!

HP Swap Update

I just received the most adorable stitch-markers for my Gryffindor pal from an Etsy shop! Hee! Since this isn't a secret swap, I'm not going to show you yet. You will all have to be patient & wait until the swap is over!

I also received the first set of Gryffindor colored yarn I ordered, which is beautiful, but I think I'm going to hold that for my sister since there isn't enough to make tall socks with and I doubt I would get the same dye-lot if I ordered another skein. Therefore a new order has been sent off to Diagon Alley and I am eagerly awaiting my return owl so that I may get knitting!

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

I have joined another exchange. This one is great fun! You are sorted into a Hogwarts house and are assigned a secret pal based on what year you are in (I'm a first year). You then knit a pair of socks for your pal in their house colors! Hee! If you want to join in the fun, go to Hogwarts Sock Swap Two and follow the instructions. Sign-ups started on July 14th and will end once there are 150 participants!

Now here is my completed questionnaire...

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Ravenclaw!

2. Shoe size? 8 1/2

3. Foot Length? 9"

4. Foot Circumference? 8.5" at ball of foot

5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.

1. Brittany
2. Empress
3. Lantern Moon

I prefer longer rather than shorter needles. I'm most in need of size 0, 1 & 2 needles.

6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? I'm always up for new needles! I prefer wooden or bamboo, don't like the feel of plastic and metal needles tend to hurt my hands. As for specifics, surprise me!

7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference? I prefer the movie colors (blue & silver).

8. Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? No fiber & food allergies. I have cats & a dog, but my house is smoke free.

9. Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? I am in the US & am willing to have an international partner.