A Not-So-Good Day Ends In A GREAT Day!

Okay - to start out with the not-so-good day, I went to Part II of my Toe-Up Sock Class at my LYS to learn how to do short-row heels. I think I'm thoroughly confused, but we'll see how it goes when I try it on my own socks. Today we just used scrap yarn and practiced. Seems very difficult to me - guess I'm kinda dense.

From the class I went to my local knitting meet-up group at Forza Coffee, had a great latte and sat back and enjoyed the conversation. I needed that "wind-down" from the tension of the fingers doing the short rows.

Then from there I went home and in my mailbox was my wonderful Sunshine Yarn from their latest update. I haven't decided what to knit with either of these for the Sunshine-A-Long starting tomorrow, August 1st. Probably will knit a pair of socks.
The top yarn is Sunshine Yarns Classic Superwash "Hunting Wildflowers", and the bottom color is "Over The Rainbow".

Great Give-A-Way

Over on Peacefully Knitting's blog, Tina is having a super give-a-way of a new book: Gifted by Mags Kandis, known for her colorful knitwear designs featuring gorgeous and very creative embellishments, features more than 30 knit and crochet designs that celebrate the pure joy of crafting. I know there's a ruffled scarf pattern in there that I would surely like to make. Be sure to go over and enter your name in the contest before it closes on Sunday, August 1st at 8:00pm PDT. Good luck!

Friday Wrap-Up

I've been working on my Toreador socks whenever I get a chance and I'm really pleased how they're coming along. They're about 6.5 inches along the foot and I'll have to stop soon, as my next class isn't until next week where I learn how to do the "short-row heel". Socks are fun and portable. I need to practice the Judy Magic Cast On so that I can get it right for the 2nd sock.

Leaving shortly to get a cortisone injection in my sacroiliac joint. This is still pain from the rear-end auto accident we were in on Halloween 2008. Getting tired of this!

We're supposed to have a week of no rain and beautiful sunshine with temperatures in the 70's and 80's. Looking forward to that!

Toe-Up Socks

Yesterday I took Part I of a Toe-Up Sock class at Yorkshire Yarns in Lakewood, Washington. This is my progress so far. I'm using the Magic Loop method of knitting. The yarn I'm using is Zen Yarn Garden Superwash Sock Yarn in the Toreador colorway. It is 60% merino wool, 30% bamboo and 10% nylon. I made a pair of worsted weight socks several years ago (top-down), so thought I'd give this method a try. So far, so good.

Picture Blanks

Don't know why there are a number of pictures missing on my previous blogs, but I apologize. I'll try to re-load them tomorrow. Took a "Toe-Up Sock" class this morning using the Judy Magic Cast-On. Looks nice and I'm anxious to knit some more on the socks tomorrow.

Aaaaah! More Jam, More Iced Mocha and Knitting

I don't know why, but I've been on a "jam kick" of late. My last post was the result of a half-flat of blackberries, and today I preserved a half-flat of raspberries. Here's the results, along with my favorite iced mocha. Hubby's golfing, so I'm now taking some computer time, then on with knitting!
From this: to this:
I also finally finished my two shawlettes and got them blocked for picture-taking: Wide-Eyed in Sunshine Yarns Classic Superwash Sock, colorway Peony and my Simple Things in MauiYarns Superwash Merino Fingering Weight Yarn, colorway West Maui Mountains.

Stocking the Freezer - 2010

This is what I spent part of my day doing. Bought 1/2 flat of blackberries from Spooner Farms and made 10 pints of yummy frozen blackberry jam. This is my favorite jam, and also that of my grandkids. When they come to visit this is what they want on their PBJ sandwiches, and on occasion I send a jar home with them.