Sock Class Day 2

I went to the second sock class on Sunday. As I stated earlier the instructor is Jessica and the class was held at my LYS Woolbearers. Again the time flew by. This portion of the class focused on picking up live stitches from the provisional cast on, then knitting in the round using magic loop. What a snap, I don't think I'll ever use dpn's again. I'm almost to the point where I'll begin the heel flap. I need to get moving with my knitting. Summer of Socks 2007 has begun and my goal is to get as many pairs of socks done during the three months that I can.

Runagogo Round Two

Yes, I crossed the finish line. Another completed. I actually finished awhile ago but I hadn't always been tracking my miles while walking. I go through pedometers like crazy.

But it feels good to be done and as a reward I treated myself to this luscious Cherry Tree Hill Lace Weight Yarn. What I'll make with it, I have no idea. I saw it, loved it and bought it. Okay I admit I bought it before completing the 100 miles. But I knew I'd finish and I did.

What a Weekend

Things have been busy again. I have to say the past few days have been wonderful. Friday I attended my cousin's wedding. It was held at Sinapi's Ceola Manor in Jefferson Valley, New York. We all stayed overnight at the Peekskill Inn in Peekskill NY. I am so happy for my cousin Shanay. She has been through a lot in her short lifetime. A few years ago after finishing law school she got real sick and was eventually diagnosed with Lupus. I remember when she took the bar exam she was on crutches. On a trip out of the country she injured her foot on the first day. That's just a few things that has happened all of the years. At the reception while dancing she popped her knee. They are supposed to be leaving today for the Bahamas. I know that she was seeing a doctor yesterday. Todd is in medical school and managed to get this week off. Anyway I wish Shanay and Todd the best of luck with their marriage and hope they have many years of happiness.

Here are a few pictures with my family:



My youngest son Thomas, my mom Ann, me and my oldest son Jamal.





My mom with her 4 of her 5 grandkids - my sons and my nieces Dashawn and Latreesha. My daughter Taneka didn't go to the wedding. She didn't have a babysitter. It was just as well because my grandkids went to a birthday party.






My sister Gail, my mom and me!

For more wedding pictures click here.








It was only a two hour drive up to the wedding and what made it really nice was that I drove my new car. I got it onThursday and I love it!





It's a 2007 Toyota Rav4. I've been wanting this vehicle for awhile. What I really like about it, is that it has third row seats, just perfect for Teon & Naseem.



Unfortunately though I have done basically no knitting or crocheting these past few days. But I'm about to head to Woolbearers for the 2nd toe up sock class.

Sock Class

As I mentioned yesterday, I signed up to take Jessica's toe up sock class today at Woolbearers. What a lot of fun it was. It was a pleasure meeting her and the other knitters. I can't believe how fast the time went. Today's class focused on creating a swatch, calculating how many stitches to cast on using the formula we were provided, using the provisional crochet cast on and doing a short row toe. Pretty easy. We did touch briefly on the magic loop technique of knitting with 1 circular needle, which is the method for these socks. Again, very easy. So I started my toe up sock using size 1 Addi Turbo circulars and some yummy Lorna's Laces shepherd sock yarn.

Here is a close up of my toe. I do need to practice a bit on short rows, my wraps and pick ups aren't as neat as I want them to be.


As much as I want to continue with these socks I got to get back to the shawlette, I'm almost there. But I will be ready to continue on at next week's class.

Rag Shop Closing

I just got an email that all Rag Shop Craft Stores are closing. I am totally bummed. There's one only a mile from me and I'm always there with my 40% off coupons buying baskets, candles, thread, etc. My youngest son was always giving me gift certificates and for my birthday and Christmas last year, I got a sewing machine with cover and some patterns and fabric (which I have yet to use BTW). But that's beside the point, the store is nearby and convenient. Oh well all good things come to an end. I will surely pop in there soon and stock up on some craft supplies. Hey maybe they will have some good deals on those Thomas the Tank Engine toys that I'm always buying for my grandson Teon.

Socks - FO's/WIPs

Trekking Socks
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Needles: Size 2 Addi Turbo 12" circulars, Size 2 Brittany dpn's
Pattern: Yarnharlot's Basic Sock Recipe

I saw the show on Knitty Gritty with guest Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka Yarn Harlot and decided to give it a go. This was a very easy pattern to do. I'm not crazy about the Trekking XXL yarn. The yarn is sort of rough. On the other hand these are really sturdy socks.


Saucy Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn, color 203 Seaside
Pattern: Cider Moon Saucy Pattern
Needles: Size 0 Addi Turbo 12" circulars, Size 1 Brittany dpn's

I love this yarn and will definitely use it again. I didn't get a good shot of the stitch definition. I'm still playing with my new camera and don't have the technique down yet. Please bear with me.


Next up: Tidal Wave Socks
Yarn: Soy Silk's TOFUtsies

I'm loving this yarn so far. I haven't done much work on them because I'm trying to get the shawlette done. Afterwards though I plan to knock these out.



I'm gearing up for Summer of Socks 2007 hosted by Jessica. While browsing her blog I came across these sock blockers that she got. So I hopped over to this site and ordered a pair. My spinning wheel blockers are fabulous.

I also noticed she's teaching a toe up sock class at Woolbearers. As I'm still new to sock knitting, I decided to take the class. I'm a horrible student so wish me luck!! Class begins tomorrow.

Clementine Shawl WIP

I started the Clementine Shawlette from Interweave Knits Spring 2007 magazine. I need to get it finished to wear to a wedding next Friday. I'm halfway there and hope to get it done this weekend.




Here's a picture of the the yarn I'm using. The name is S&M's Atelier Yarn a signature yarn of Woolbearers, my LYS. The yarn is a blend of silk, rayon, cotton and lurex. I'm thinking S&M stands for Suzie and Myra, the owners of Woolbearers.

Finished Objects

Okay I finally get in the mood to take pictures and update this blog. And I find my camera is acting up. It's taking really horrible pictures. I guess I'm going to have to go camera shopping. My camera is pretty old so it's time for a new one. Anyway here are some of my recent FO's.

I promised to take individual pictures and detail the projects as soon as I can. That will give me plenty of practice with the new camera.

Silk Clapotis

This makes my third Clapotis. I guess you can tell I love this pattern. I had finished this one awhile ago but am just now blocking it. And I'm blocking it because I'm going to give it to my mom this coming week when I see her. It's a belated Mother's Day gift. I haven't seen her in a month and I know she's expecting something handmade by me. I apologize for the pictures, I think my camera is on it's last leg.

Project: Knitty's Clapotis
Yarn: Raw Silk hand dyed by Woolbearers, 750 yards, color Caribbean
Needles: Knit Picks Options size 9
Modification: 10 repeats of the straight section vice 13