SS09 Mini Socks: Progress Report

I am making good progress on knitting mini sample socks for The Crafts Meow, a vendor at the upcoming, now world known, and much anticipated, Sock Summit 2009.

I am using my wee tiny sock pattern on size 2s and trying a size 1 with more stitches on to get a large enough mini sock to make nice samples the can be seen and touched in her booth.

The needles I am using in these pictures are Harmony woods from Knit Picks in a size 1, 4-inch length. They are interesting to knit with, you have to keep your hands on them because they are so lightweight that if one slips away they are difficult to find. You may also want to sandpaper the ends of the occasionally.

The size 2s that I use are Bryspun double points that will be accepted on the plane. Unfortunately they do not make them in any smaller sizes and the ones I really like (Kollage square DPNS in 5-inch length) are metal and I don't dare test the TSA folks at security with those. So they will go in the checked bag and I will use the others for the plane.


She has lovely yarn both in feel and in colors. I am enjoying knitting with it and can hardly wait to see what new dye lots she brings to the show.

I hope you all have lots of color and softness in your lives!

Weekend Update: In Other Knitting News

The final kid cardi is done and will be on its way to Germany soon for the oldest niece's birthday. Mom did the majority of the knitting and I finished it. It is now back with mom for button placement and sleeve seaming. I think it was a wonderful collaborative effort.

I am not sure what is next on our knit for others knitalong list but I am sure we will come up with something.

I hope you are having fabulous fun with your projects!

Felted Clogs: The Saga Continues

We attended the second part of the felted clog class and learned how to pick up the cuff for the three needle bind off and how to attach the second sole and finish the bottom of the clogs.

I have one finished ready for felting and the other one almost to the cuff. I am setting up the second one so I can show Mom how to do the finish work this weekend when they are here for 4th of July festivities.

I thought I was being very smart and fast getting the second ready early and, believe it or not, ran out of purple within 4 rows of finished with that color. So now the clog is parked for the week until I can get to the LYS to pick up more yarn.

Note: if you are knitting these clogs from this pattern in anything larger than an women's size medium, you will need two skeins each of sole and foot color.

Blogging OTR

This morning, after my visit to the Farmer's Market, I took the Mini to Agia Sophia's in Old Colorado for coffee and a breakfast bite. After last week's failed attempt to connect with the wireless at Starbuck's I had called Dell Support to have them look at my connection settings to be sure I had all the right stuff enabled to connect while on the road (OTR).

I was assured that I did after he clicked one more thing. And, I guess it worked. Here I am, sipping good coffee and eating a cream cheese panini (yummy!)

I hope everyone is having a successful weekend!

Summer is Here: Farmer's Market Shopping

This is my favorite thing to do early on Saturday mornings in the summer. The smell of roasting chilis and fresh basil is the best aroma I can think of.

I like to go the one in Old Colorado at Bancroft Park around 7:30 a.m. It is not too crowded and everyone is chatting and comparing growing notes with each other.

Today I scored fresh, Colorado-grown cherries for Dad, fresh basil and squashes for me. I wanted Peaches and Cream corn but it is not out yet. Hopefully by next weekend someone will have some. I plan to do fresh marinara for this week's suppers and a squash medley.

This week there were several flower and herb vendors there. The flowers from Dawn's Creations were spectactular. She has orchids like I have never seen.

Then, on my way to the coffee shop to do this post OTR (on the road), I found something better than "Snakes on the Plane", I found "snakes in the yard". Old Colorado has some hidden treasures to be sure.

I hope everyone is discovering beauty and joy today!

PS. I am not a fan of snakes so have not seen the movie "Snakes on a Plane."

24-Hour Eviction Notice for the Ducks

It's quackers! My ducks are being forced to move for 24 hours.

Hopefully by this time tomorrow evening they will have be restored to their happy home in the bathroom with new linoleum and a freshly caulked bathtub.

Since they have to move for a while they got a bath and a sort through. All the flashing and quacking was quite entertaining while they waited on the counter drying.

And some decided that they had to show off their stuff by doing what pirate ducks do. They partied in the duck pond and caught a shark to show off to Pedro. He just thought it was a giant water bowl.

Have a great Friday!

SS09 Mini Socks: From This

Today in the mail I received a package of sock yarn from The Craft's Meow, one of the Sock Summit 2009 vendors.

I will be knitting mini sock samples for her booth between now and August. The yarn is yummy and it will be fun to see how they knit up for display. The plan is to make them big enough to be seen in the booth and touchable so folks know how fabulous this yarn feels.

She sent me a variety of fun colors in mini skeins and I think I will be able to do a couple of them with different color heels and toes for the fun, value-added look.

So, from this picture of "sock parts" to a finished product, I will update the progress once I get some knit up.

You should go over to her Etsy shop and see the wonderful colors she creates. After I visited there again I realized that she has named all her yarn colors after ice cream flavors. How fun is that?! I can hardly wait to them live at the "Big Show." :-)

I hope everyone is planning a great weekend!