sheep in the city

It's Monday to me...

...because my work week is just starting today!! I had a friend visiting me from out of town this past weekend, and boy was it fun! I took a couple days off to hang out with her. We were able to be lazy, watch movies, eat ice cream, hang out with other friends, knit (or she watched me knit:), and just enjoy hanging out. Do you have those type of friends that you can see once in a great while, but you're immediately at ease with? There is no awkward getting-to-know-you-all-over business. That's Julie. We laughed so much, at one point I got the hiccups so bad it was painful. It doesn't help that I was driving at the time...on the highway:) So...what was I knitting? Well, let me show you:

That would be felted clogs. I am proud to admit, I almost have the pattern memorized because this is the 14th pair that I have knit in the last 3 1/2 years. I do have to give props to my mom who helped me knit these up quickly over the last 2 days, she knit the soles while I knit the top. Then I sewed them together (which she hates doing) while she knit the second top. It was actually pretty fun! A few years ago I knit these clogs for a bunch of my friends, and Julie was the only one that didn't get hers. So, better late than never!! Here's another view of them at the airport right before Julie left this morning. These will forever be the Ninja Turtle/Kermit the Frog slippers. Thanks for visiting Jules!!! I had a ton of fun!!

**edited to add---The pattern I used was from Fiber Trends and it's just called 'Felted Clogs'. It is usually at most stores that carry Fiber Trends patterns. You can see a list by state of stores that carry these patterns, here. I have always used (in all 14 pairs) Brown Sheep yarns. I prefer using one strand of Bulky, but you can (and the pattern calls for) worsted weight yarn doubled. That equals bulky yarn in my books! If you use bulky than you need two skeins of the color that will be on the bottom, and one skein of the main shoe color. You'll only use about half of that second skein, so technically you can make two pairs of clogs with 5 skeins total.**

Also over the weekend I received another package from my secret pal! She rocks! I just realized that this whole time I've been thinking that she was from Arkansas...duh! She's from Alaska! The abbreviation for the state of Alaska is AK...the abbreviation for the state of Arkansas is AR...I need to go back to elementary school and learn my states apparently?! Wanna see what she sent me?

Oh...alright...check it out! Holy crap! Oh wait...you wanted to see inside the box?! Ha! Click on the picture above. That is 5 skeins of a Noro yarn that I've never seen before, but in the description on the tag it says love. I'll need to consult my Noro expert and see if she knows what kind of yarn it is. It reminds me of Silk Garden, but it's solid colored and a little bit scratchier. Then there was fun Halloween treats, some yummy citrus soap, gummy frogs, a fun card, and even some treats for Jesse!! (he loves the new catnip!!) Thanks so much for including the treats for him...awww, it means alot to me that you'd send him treats! Thank you secret pal...whoever you are?!

I'm working away on my Harry Potter scarf. I'm going to catch a break by way of going to Arizona next week. I'll have lots of time to work on it, and catch up on my blog reading and writing. Hey all you Arizona knitters...let me know if you want to get together and knit a little. I'll be staying in Scotsdale, and I'll be there for a week this time! Whoo hoo! I am determined to take a picture of the HiP scarf that my sister is knitting...it's so cute! Only a few more weeks until the movie!! I can't wait!