Purls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Yarn P0RN Friday People!

Hi Folks,  I haven't showed you any pretty yarn in a while... Today I bring you pictures of some lovely yarn babies I received from the Knitting Ranch.   More Handmaiden in Camelspin in the Pewter coloray.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...  I agonized over getting this yarn  'cuz IDONOTNEEDANYMOREYARN!   As you can see, I do still trip from time to time...

 
Its amazing to me how after all these years pretty yarn can still intoxicate me, and dull my senses with color, texture. The yummy look and feel still gets me every time!  These next ones are Verb yarns: On the Left we have Alpaca Silk in Chartreuse's Sister and on the right: Metamorphosis in Jade.

Don't they look pretty together?  They are for two sister shawls that I itend to make. I have chosen The Arcadian shawl by Krisen Hanley Cardozo.  Available on Ravlelry here.   There is a version there made in these exact yarns and its abosultey gorgeous! This is what the fabric will look like:
Here is another pretty version:

 

and a shot of my newest yarn babies:  Just lovely:)

Also included in my package was the loveliest row counter which Suzi made.  Believe it or not, this is my very first row counter... I have for 7 years always used pen and paper...little tic marks...

This bracelet allows me to move the beads back and forth to count my rows.  It also doubles up as pretty jewlery... I LOVE jewlery:)  It makes me happy....

What do you think?  isn't pretty?  Feel free to add your comments/thoughts about the row counter. Do you use row counters?  What are your preferences and why?

And then... there was Virtual Knitting

Dear friends... First and foremost, the HAPPIEST of NEW YEARS to you all!  From the looks of it I have been keeping myself busy....  New goals, new spinning, new projects... yes... quite a few new projects in the works!  You'd think that after all that crazy, busy, stressful holiday knitting...I'd take a break. 

Nope. Not this time... from the looks of it, the Selfish knitting mindset has set inn and with a vengence... really seriously out of control....

As mentioned in my last post, on New Years Eve I was casting on for a Lacy Prairie Shawl designed by Cheryl Oberle.  I did just that and had a wonderful time.  I spent the evening with family and friends. Zipping champagne, munching on yummy food and delighting my senses with this decadent Handmaiden Camelspin yarn. The color is Smoke. Its is soo pretty:) 

 

If you are interested, you may find it here at my friend Suzi's shop: The Knitting Ranch "Where Suns Set & Dreams are Knit"

This is the type of project you can take and knit anywhere, or do anything... Straight forward garter stitch lace... Love these types of projects!

The following weekend after new years, Suzi launched the first of many more to come... Virtual KALs.  What a fun and inventive way to hook up with your knitting buddies across the country.  Many of us have met through ravelry, knitting conventions, retreats, blogging, etc.  We wish that we could live next to one another so that we could have a buddy to knit with..    Well my friends, through virtual knitting and tools like your computer, a simple web cam, and online apps like Webex...    The Knitting World is your Oyster:)  

The first Virtual KAL for the Knitting Ranch is Veyla by Ysolda Teague.. you know the ones... these pretty little things:

 

The pattern is very well written.  It is one of my first Ysolda patterns.... I had to pay attention at the beginning.  But then quickly got the hang of it. 

For these I am using yarn from A Verb for Keeping Warm. The color is Tidepools.  LOVE it!  I heart these so much, I am going for the gold and knitting two pairs out of the one skein of floating that I purchased--also from the Knitting Ranch. 

The cute buttons were found today at my LYS Imagiknit.  They had 16 buttons exactly. Yay!

You'd think these two projects were enough...  Nah....

The third project I cast on (also within the first week of 2012) is: Kristen Kapur's TTL Mystery Sock 2012. My dear friend Raquel sent me a little Christmas prezzie<3  

For this one I chose one of my pretty skeins of Bugga in: Sharpshooter Leaf Hopper. Very nice twisted stitch action going on with this one:)

 

Thank sooo much dear Rocky!  This is going to be an awesome pair of socks.. I think it may actually go quite nicely with my February Lady sweater from a few years back.

and lastly...  because a girl needs more than one shawl per year:)  when another Ravelry knitting buddy Knitwitch39 mentioned Susanna IC was also starting a  Mystery Shawl KAL... welll heck... I jumped on that band wagon too!

For this shawl I decided to steer away from my happy place.  Venture into another color way. Something reminiscent of spring. So stashdiving I went into my beloved Sundara stash.  In my Fingering Silky Merino stash i found some orange. Yes orange:) The color of Marigold. 

 
As you can see.  This one is still in the baby shawl stages.  I have some catching up to do this weekend:)

No more knitting on the Veylas....  I love those dearly, but must push forward and give all of these lovely knits the love and afection they deserve ha ha.....

So what's on your needles?  How is this fresh new year treating you so far?

Cheers and once again Happy New Year my friends!

 P.S.:  If you are interested in the virtual KAL and or the verb, or handmaiden yarn above contact Suzi at the Knitting Ranch.  She is awesome!  Not to mention all the amazing, luscious Offhand Design Knittng bags she carries... Yes as you know I do have... ahem.... shall we say a tiny bag problem:)

 

Goodbye 2011.... Welcome 2012!

As every year about this time, and many others.... I too am looking back at 2011 and recounting. The good, the bad and the ugly... yes there was some ugly in their too:)

What did I work on this year?  It seems that I was not as prolific as other years... Could it be the spinning? I suppose it takes longer starting from scratch.   Nonetheless, I know I enjoyed both knitting and spinning.   I also learned a great deal while at it.  This is always good. Learning and deepening your skills.

Also it seems that this year... I was more giving:)  70% of these projects were made for others, sample knits and gifts:)  This is good for a selfish knitter like me:)  Hmmm it looks like I am growing in a good way hee hee...

As for memories: I had the opportunity to partake in many fun events, and create lasting memories with friends and loved ones!  Knitting Retreats 2, Family Vacation 1 big one, Knitting Events 2 or 3... Including Sock Summit!   Lets see what else? Two 80s Parties!  Can you believe it?  Man those were a blast!

I do not know what 2012 holds for me.  I am waiting expentantly for GOOD Things. Much love, laughter, good health, fitness, and overall well being.  I am hoping that many of us will have good fortune. Make good decisions that will empower us to excel in those areas that we hold dear, and or want to improve in.

To all my family, Knitty friends, and acquaintances - I wish you all the Happiest of New Years!

Have a wonderful evening, have fun, and be Safe!

I will do the same.  I plan on visiting mom, sister and brother and having dinner there.  Later, I am staying home with the DH, taking in a couple of good movies, a champagne toast or two... and a put in a good start to the last cast on project of the year...  Lacy Prairie Shawl by Cheryl Oberle.

I will be spening some quality time with these babies: Hand Maiden Camel Spin in Smoke. Man is it decadent... So luxurious....

Happy, Happy New Year to All, and All the Best in 2012!

Chicken Soup for the Soul...

Now that the Earth has shifted and the cold weather is upon us more and more…  There are many of us that are a bit under the weather.  I do not have a cold or the Flu but did have a short few days of feeling icky back in October and November.  As I read some blogs here and there I noticed that others too are suffering from the pesky sniffles… 

With this in mind, I thought I’d share my Mommy’s Chicken Soup Recipe.  She is turning 80 today. December 14th!  I thought I would celebrate with all of my readers as well by passing this down....

This is a family recipe of course, passed down from my Mimi (Granny) and her Mother before her.  

 

Mamás Sopa de Pollo

 (Med Soup Pot)

1 whole chicken cut up plus more breast meat, if desired

2 to 3 juicy lemons

two Roma tomatoes (cut in quarters)

1 bag baby carrots (1lb)

5 red potatoes (halved or quartered)

2 Zucchini (cut in rounds)

1 Chayote (cut in lg pieces)

2 corn on the cob (halved)

Fresh mint (a few sprigs)

1 small squash (Kabocha or Acorn)

2 quiquisque peeled (whole)

1 maduros (cut in thick rounds)

1 handful of uncooked rice

2 to 3 tablespoons chicken broth granules (knorr)

1 head of garlic (peeled and sliced thin)

1 Medium onion (thin slices)

1/2 Goya flavor packet

Garlic powder (if needed)

Pepper

1)       In large soup pot fill half with water, add chicken, onion and garlic. Let boil until chicken is tender.

2)      Take chicken out and put aside. Flavor the broth with Knorr Chicken Broth granules, lemon juice, pepper and garlic powder, if needed.

3)      Add vegies that need longer cooking time first and add rice. Once those vegies are somewhat tender, add all other vegies.

4)      Add the chicken back in the pot, add Yerba Buena (Mint) and cilantro.

 Enjoy!

I cannot say enough about this soup… My favorite piece is the chicken breast (what can I say, I’m a white meat kinda of gal), all the veggies are pretty delish too…  try it and let me know what you think...

If you are feeling a bit under the weather, please take good care and have someone make you some Chicken Soup to help you get back on your feet sooner rather than later.  If not this recipe then another.

Here is a cool shot of a Woman making some chicken soup somewhere in Nicaragua:)

P.S.  If you do not find some of the items let me know perhaps you can substitute. Also, the spices, if not locally available and you really want to try the spices let me know and I can find them at the market here:)

This Little Piggy went to Market

November 12th after returning from the Knot Hysteria color retreat (sigh such a wonderful retreat.. more on this later) I had the opportunity to visit my favorite yarn shop: A Verb for Keepitng Warm!

Ysolda was in town and was teaching and doing a book signing:) for her ooooh so fabulous book: Little Red in the City. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is soo detailed. An excellent resource on how to take a pattern and customize it to fit you!   As a matter of a fact, the class that Ysolda taught that weekend at Verb was based on this. Customizing your patterns to fit....

Ysolda is so adorable!  She is so nice and gracious too.  Totally down to earth:)

Ysolda was in town to help celebrate Verb's annual anniversary of having opened their wonderful shop in Oakland. Earlier that week there were many festivities enjoyed by customers and the local kniteratti from the SF Bay Area...

I walked around the shop as usual. Exploring, oooohing and aaahing over all the maginificent yarn. Both from Indie Dyers and Kristine's very own handy work.

I for one go there for Kristine's yarn.. It is so gorgeous!

And her depth of color is TDF!  I can't wait to get my hands into the skeins above and this Magic Bean 50/50 below....

My visit was quite lovely... I sniffed and fondled the most amazing yarn and fiber.  I met new friends and hugged Kristine and Adrienne.  I met Ysolda again.

What can I say... This Little Piggy went... "Wee, wee, wee" all the way home!

(a shot of my Verb for Keeping Warm Fiber Collection) Magic Bean is on the bottom left most corner:)

Knitting from the stash.... Oh yeah!

 Finally,  I never thought I'd see the day when I would go back and knit, knit, knit from the stash.  I mean have little temptation for what is out there fresh and new stuff.. 

Thankfully, the day has come!  What changed?  It's the spinning.  It seems that when I took up spinning, the crazy burning desire to purchase, and fill my bins with yarn sort of dried up a bit!  Now I still love yarn, fresh new yarn. The smell, look, and feel of it (yes I sniff yarn).  I may trip from time to time...  More like fall hard shhhh...... 

But not like before:)  Lately, I have a new found desire to explore here... Stash dive and pick out  pretty skeins that have been waiting years to be be knit:)

Last weekend I purchased this adorable skirt from Zoe Chen on Etsy:

 

So darn cute and comfortable! Its like a second skin, soft and flowey...  I am getting ready for my Portland trip and am looking of course to build my wardrobe for the Sock Summit.  After trying it on and loving it! I realized I need a top to go with it.  

I quickly realized there was this sweater I had been wanting to knit for ages.  By Stefanie Japel (Ms. Stefanie herself in this photo):

I had the yarn in my stash for the Spicy Fitted V-Neck Tee from Fitted Knits.  Off to the Stash Room I went:).  I cast on last Saturday.  Turned out to be a quick knit.  I bound off the body today.  A few more hours should render the sleeves and neckline:)

 

 

The back is pretty sexy too!

 
a couple of cosmetic fixes and finishing touches and it should be good to go:)

Also, while diving, I came across these pretty skeins of Sundara ASM:

I have a couple of cool tank tops that need a little something.  Enter a second project --for when I'm on the road or bart... Nice easy knit: The Dream in color shrug. Here is a nice picture of one from Ravelry:

I managed to finish a sleeve and barely start the lace pattern over the weekend. We drove out to Moutain View twice... Trip to frys electronics, great pizza parlour Frankie, Johnny & Luigis, Tide House, and Golfland. 

 
To be continued on bart and or during the day when I can steal a few moments to knit.

During the evenings, my plan is to work with this pretty yarn for a top secret project:)

 
I don't think there is any harm in disclosing the yarn: BFL Sport from Blue Moon Fiber Arts in Briar Rose. Gorgeous!

 

 

 

Hit and Run!

I am working right now... really I am... Multi-tasking...

Not sure what made me go look at Tina's blog? 

ZOMG! She is having a Precious Rare Gem sale! 

Rare Gems

Rare Gems are one of a kind colorways created by over dyeing existing colorways. This process creates a many hued skein of color wonder. These are non repeatable colors. Because of this we have them grouped in four general color schemes that cover a broad spectrum and describe the predominant colors in that skein of yarn. Say you order from the Earth category you will see mostly brown type hues but not all. There also might be a pop in pink or green. That is the joy of these. Please read each one carefully before ordering.

There are no returns on Rare Gems for color selection. 

Rare Gems - Earth Tones

Rare Gems - Fire Tones

Rare Gems - Water Tones

 

I could not resits and purchased one earth and one fire.... I don't need anymore yarn!  Go check it here before they run out:)  Just sayin.....

Let's see what I get....

In other news, SHOE BIZ:   I had the great pleasure of meeting John Fluevog last Sunday for International Fluevog Day.  I walked and there he was just standing there by the Mens shoes area.  I looked at him intently and then realized it was him!  I said, Hey aren't you John Fluevog?  Why yes I am he said.   Wow! I am so happy to meet you:)

 
Really down to earth and nice... It was my best Fluevog experience ever:)

Of course I was there to score 15% off on these babies:

 
Love them!  I wore them to work yesterday:)  Had to wait unitl it stopped raining....

 
There may be one more pair I might have snuck in last minute.... they have not landed yet:)

As for knitting. There is a whole lot of knitting going on... Mostly I cannot talk about it. Some sample knitting, some test knitting, and some gift giving knitting in the works.... Soon, very soon, all should be revealed:)

Your Fluevog Word of the day is:

"Run your race with Pereseverence"

Can only think of one thing today: Registering for SockSummit!

In Living Color

Its all about the socks here lately... I can't seem to get enough! 

 
Color, color, more color...

 

...more color, the better I feel. I'm in my happy place....Sensory overload?  I don't think so:)

 

As you can see, I am also keeping up with the need for variety.  These two patterns could not be any more different. On the left you have Travelling Socks in Malabrigo Indiecita (pattern is a spin-off from the Travelling Woman Shawl). On the right you have January's Socks That Rock - Sock Club Pattern: Social Network by Lucy Neatby. Yarn colors 2 = Pinkie Swear and Aubergenius (more like Pinky and the Brain ha ha...)

No single sock syndrome so far....I have been alternating so as not to get bored:)

 

And because there is always a need for more color and more Socks That Rock... I called up BMFA and asked if they would hook me up?     And boy did they ever!!! 

 

A girl needs her color fix every now and then...

 

 

Riviera Maya how I heart Ewe...

 
 
Just got back from Cancun where we stayed at the Aventura Palace Resorts.  This hotel is so awesome!

 

A family vacay was loooooooong overdue.  We had a prepaid stay at Palace Resorts and well Spring break was upon us:)

We hung out quite a bit sunbating and swimming at the lovely pool above. Lots of pools and beach area in this cove in front of the hotel.

We also went on a few tours:  Explore where you can go on zip lines (big and small), jeep rides,  
 

 

 
swim and raft through the under ground cenotes:

\ 

 Or lounge around by the hammocks and rest areas:

 

We also went to the Ruins: Tulum (an extremely important Mayan archeological site)

 

soooo interesting and the most majestic beach I have ever seen:

 

Breathtaking:

 
We also visited Coba - Another archeological Pre-Columbian Maya Civilazation site:

 

Many interesting things to see.. including hyrogliphs and ball courts where they practiced human sacrifice. Below is a podium where they sacrificed human organ i.e., human hearts fresh from the victims [that were shown there beating hearts before (the heart) was thrown in the flames].

 

Women also ruled over Coba and determined the fate of all that lived there! : Thats what we were told reads below in a Stella of a Coba Mayan Queen

 

 Another well known Mayan Sport was the Honorable Ball Games where the played to the death (win or lose depending on the goals of the game). Die a most honorable death to be with your Gods... or die because you lost fighting for a lover etc...

 
The Yucatan peninsusal aka The Riviera Maya is absolutely magnificent. A truly wonderous place that we never get tired of visiting.  We just got back early Saturday. Gawd how I wish i could have stayed longer. Yesterday, after looking at the pictures and uploading them to flickr here I wanted to turn around and go  back... tomorrow would not be too soon.  But alas,  we will have to save for next year or the year after. 

If anyone is interested in Palace resorts, let me know. We are members there and I can happily provide more details and refer you if you would like to stay.

I am still in dreamland today Sunday.  Tomorrow, well tomorrow its back to the grind... I think I have over 450 emails to read upon my return! Re-entry is indeed a bxX!!h!

I have been knitting by the way.. I owe you all a big knitting blog post. Soon:)