A visit to a LYS, and some pictures

Today I visited 2 Sisters and Ewe, a little yarn shop in La Mesa. While they didn't have the kind of yarn I was looking for, I did pick up something to make a Gryffindor scarf (or beanie, depending on my mood I guess). This shop is smaller than the Needlecraft Cottage in PB, but I think they hold more classes. They have Plymouth and Cascade 220 at good prices though, and they also had an adorable sample of a baby items that looked almost like the Mason-Dixon baby kimono. I liked the way the sample used snaps; I think I will "borrow" that idea.

And today at work our wonderful mailman brought me a package containing the yarn I ordered from Elann, I ordered it on Tuesday and it arrived today!

So here's all the yarn I'm coming home with today, good thing I cleaned out my knitting bag a bit so it should all fit in there and I won't have to answer any questions from DH:

LOL, the picture doesn't show it, but I actually have 4 of the Cinnabar and 2 of the Byzantium. The Cinnabar is the absolute perfect match to my son's school colors; I'll be making washcloths to put in a gift basket for his band director, who is getting married this summer. The Byzantium is a lovely color that I unfortunately have to part with, as it is a gift.

I know I let Picture Friday fall by the wayside, but these flowers are so pretty I just had to take a picture of them:

I wish I could grow things.

Another quickie update

Bad Michelle, for lagging on posting! It was quite a busy week, what with getting my son ready for his Spring Trip with the school band, plus his concert last Tuesday. I gave up on the April mid-month KAL; it needed more concentration than I was able to devote to it. However, I'm making rapid progress on an afghan for DH's aunt, who's been in the hospital this past month. I'm hoping to have in done by the next time we go up to visit her. Then it will be back to the baby kimonos and skull wristwarmers.

Just a quickie update

I think this is the longest I've gone between posts...a few things have been going on...I'm in my first SP round on the Knittyboard, it's called Spring Fling. I've been busy making something special for my Secret Pal, and I hope to get a quick package out on Monday. After that, it's back to the baby kimono, and once I have one finished I'll start working on the pirate wrist warmers for my friend Naomi. I'll be using the Skull Socks o' Fury pattern, but I won't be turning a heel or anything. It will be my first attempt at knitting in the round, and using DPNs.

My Knitpicks "stash"

I've been spending some quality time on the Knitpicks website the past couple of days, exploring and choosing different yarns for several Christmas and birthday gift items. It wasn't very hard to get up to the $45 level to qualify for free shipping, and I'm currently in negotiations with DH to be my funding source.

Here's what's currently in my stash (I love how Knitpicks calls the shopping cart the stash):

Swish Superwash in Black, Coast Grey and Copper to make 3 pairs of Fetching.
Andean Silk in Chocolate and Pitch, also for Fetching. All Fetchings are for Christmas gifts.
Twist in Cotton Candy and Daydream to make a Potato Chip Scarf (Either a Christmas or birthday present) and Textured Legwarmers (graduation present).
Merino Style in Hollyberry to make a scarf for the mother of a very good friend (Christmas present).

I also added in some sock yarn to supplement my short supply; I picked some nice colors to go with the Koigu. Sorry pixieriot, no red and blue socks this time.

Meanwhile, DH's Halfdome is almost finished. He tried it on last night (yes, I'm knitting it flat as the pattern says but he wrapped it around his head anyway) and likes how it feels. I will probably make several of these as Christmas gifts, since I can always find a good deal on the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. However, Wool of the Andes seems to be a good sub too...

Noob Goof Alert

As the title of my blog states, I am a newbie knitter. That means I am bound to make some goofs that only a noob like me can do. Hopefully in a few years I can look back to this and have a good laugh about my errors. Here's a good one for you, in the form of the yarn I bought from Knit Happens:


Do you see my goof?

I have only one skein of the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn. I also bought only one each of the Koigu Kersti, so I have no idea what to do with it. A kind lady on the Knittyboard told me I should have no problem finding another skein of the Lorna's Laces, but the Koigu dye lots can be noticeably different.

Ah, live and learn, right?

Flash Your Stash '07

I may just have the smallest stash of them all!


Some thoughts about my stash:
Stash began to collect itself in January 2007.
It all fits on my bed, with plenty of room to spare. In fact, it all fits in one basket and one plastic bin.
It's mostly acrylic and novelty yarn.
The blues are for a Diagonal Stripey Scarf, pattern found in Knitgrrl.
I probably haven't spent more than $200 for the whole lot.
There is some good stuff, note the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran over on the right. Plus, that nice seafoam green skein is some wool from my coworker.
This stash is missing my Knit Happens order and the 40 balls of dishcloth cotton I just ordered.

So there it is, a stash as defined by a newbie knitter!