Too much fun

Ok, ok, there's been enough nagging going on around these parts that I will finally post. I've been just swamped at work, plus having camera issues, so I've just not been in the mood to blog. But I have been in the mood to knit!

Keeping with the theme of no UFOs, the following have been accomplished in the new year:
- Dad's birthday hat
- Steph's birthday surprise (shhhh)
- Pink Granite Socks That Rock for myself (ooooooh aaaaaaaaah)
- a single Pomatomus sock to make a pair!

And the current WIPs:
- wool peddler's shawl in alpaca/silk from Lisa using Sheila's beautiful glass needles
- Dad's birthday scarf (better finish that one soon!)
- Mars Quake socks in Lisa's new supertwist

This girl did have the opportunity to have some fun recently:

Starting in the back left and going clockwise, that's Barb, Sam, Sheila, Lisa and myself. It was so wonderful to see both Lisa and Sheila and their husbands at Stitches West. It was a pleasure to meet Tinkerbell in person, she is every bit as sweet and efficient as the name implies. I picked up her Twist and Lace scarf pattern. It is ever so beautiful and will be knit up in some of Lisa's sock. And the shopping, oh the shopping. I will reveal in small bits, just to keep you in suspense. Until next time...

The P Sock Challenge

Barb challenged me to knit the second P sock before Stitches West because Cookie will be there. I'm giving it my best.

Charmed

There's a new book on my Amazon wish list

I am sure this book will inspire some pre-HP new movie release knitting!
Congratulations, Alison, on the new book!

Green Hat

I've been super busy at work. So busy, that I haven't had the time to show you a WIP (work in progress) which is now a FO (Finished Object).

This is the start of a green hat knit from some handspun fiber purchased at MSW2005. The fiber came in a batt curled up into the cutest shape. I fell in love with all the shades of green, and this was one of the first things I spun from MD that year. The yarn has been sitting in my stash for some time, waiting for a purpose.

I was looking for a project that would require the use of lots of cute little sheep stitch markers. Aren't they sweet? My friend, Barb, made them for all fiber friends at Christmas. I'm such a lucky girl!
And someone who has a birthday coming up will have a nice, warm head this winter!

Socret Pal strikes again

You may recall that I joined the Sockret Pal exchange some months back. I lost the button on the blog upgrade, so I will have to make a point to get that added back to the sidebar.

My sockret pal must have super powers, because she(he?) somehow knew that it would snow again here in the PNW and I would need another pair of socks - TODAY! Aren't I the luckiest girl in the world? Two secret packages in two days!

The sockret pal exchange differs from the secret pal exchange in that in the sockret pal exchange, you have to knit your pal a pair of socks!

These are the bluebell rib socks from Sensational Knitted Socks in Shelridge Farm 3-ply, color Sand. Sockret Pal, I put these babies on my feet as soon as I opened the package! They are warm and squooshy and fit GREAT! Thank you so much!

And because us knitters like to pad those priority mail boxes with a little something extra, my pal included 2 batts from Spritely Goods in merino/firestar blends. These batts are so pretty and coordinate well. I'll have to ponder a bit to decide what to make with them. 4.4oz total may be enough for a pair of socks, if tightly spun, or maybe I will make myself a luxurious scarf? Hmmm, something to think about.

Did you notice the dark chocolate in the photo? And the yummy bar of soap? Mmmmm, it smells so nice! Into the kitchen it goes. (with 3 little kids in the house, we do A LOT of handwashing!) Sockret Pal also sent a historical fiction novel, Patrick, Son of Ireland. S/he's been reading my blog, and knew that I am a fan of the historial fiction. The book came from a used bookstore, which is fine by me. I am all for recycling and freecycling of good stuff like this! Thank you so much, Sockret Pal! What a lovely surprise!