My Friday Night

Grant you, kinda boring & fuddy-duddy but more excitement than I usually have! So what are the little doughballs? Well, you may remember me writing of the fantastic bagels my bil made for us when we were out in Seattle. Honey tried to make them the weekend after we go back, but they didn't turn out quite right. I think its because he just scooped the flour into the batter with the measuring cup instead of measuring it properly. The dough was extremely stiff, but the bagels were still quite tasty. So last night I decided to give it a try myself!
This is what they looked like before being put into the frig overnight. And this is what they look like after being baked this morning...

Bagel with asiago cheese,
oregano & basil

OMG! I am the bagel master! XD Seriously, best bagels ever! The recipe is quite easy, it's just a bit time consuming what with waiting for the dough to rise and all, and the ingredients are what most people already have in their house except for the yeast and the malt powder, which we couldn't even find and used malt syrup instead. I'm so excited! All my previous attempts at any kind of bread making were disasterous (not counting quick breads which don't have yeast). I think I'll be making these for Christmas morning. :)

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"

Ravelry Summer Camp

My package arrived today! Yippie! (Click for big)

Contents: letter from home, pencils, pens, pencil sharpener,
Phoenix h&g mag., Russel Stover Chocolates, H&D cherries,
bracelet & Radiant Twist yarn

Close-up of yarn

Thanks so much Robyn, it's a wonderful package. I've already broken into the chocolate and can't wait to knit something with that gorgeous yarn... probably socks :)

I Must Be Crazy...

I've decided to host my very own swap! :) It's open to knitters & crocheters and is an international swap. The idea is that you will know who your partner is but the theme of your package will be a mystery. All skill levels are encouraged to participate. You won't have to make anything for your partner, just send them everything they need for a small project based on the theme you select for them. The swap will run from October 1st-November 2nd and I will accept sign-ups until Sept. 24th.

If you are interested, please see Mystery Theme Swap for details.

Happy Feet

That's what I've got since my Sockapalooza package arrived this afternoon! Wanna see?
This package was definitely worth the wait! Not only does it include one gorgeous pair of socks what fit perfectly, but it also contains a skein of Schaefer Anne, a skein of Austermann Step, and a mystery skein that I assume the fabulous Wendy dyed herself. There's a set of pretty blue stitch markers and a new chibi to boot! It also contains a ring pop, pop rocks & fruity mentos! I feel so spoiled! Below are a couple pics of the socks. The first shows of the the lace pattern well & the second shows the purty turned picot edge!
The pattern is Elfines by Anna Bell, which is such a lovely pattern I put it in my queue, and was knit using Crystal Palace's Panda Wool in Violets. The bamboo content gives this yarn such a lovely sheen that doesn't really come through in the picture.
Thank you thank you thank you! I absolutely love them! XD

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...