sheep in the city

Knitting friends are the best!

Last Friday night, Joanne brought me a little surprise! It's an Ultimate Storage Container in the latest color...Pink!! Thanks Joanne! After having such a rough week last week, I really appreciate it. Friends just have a way of lifting my spirit.

I had actually been thinking of ordering one of these containers to store some of my DPN's when I travel, but I never got around to it! Inside the tube is a little plastic divider that divides it into 4 sections. Cool, huh? Joanne and I share a love of all things gadgety! We both love little knitting gadgets, and go out of our way to get them. We know this about each other. It's kind of a sickness...I mean, who needs 5 chibis? I guess I do...because I want one in each color! It's sick, I know.

After a week of sporadic knitting...I'm back in the groove. That sure feels good. I'm making some progress, and I have an FO to tell you about! Whoo hoo! That will have to wait until Friday though!

**if you haven't seen Joanne's "Snake Socks"...go check them out! Today is the last day to get a free copy!**

Let the LACE begin!

In the last 9 months I have amassed quite the stash of lace yarn. This might not seem like much...but considering the only lace I've ever knit is my Charlotte's Web...believe me, this is a lot of lace yarn!(click to see a closeup of all that lace) I've gone back and forth on what to knit for the Amazing Lace this summer and one particular project keeps calling out to me from amidst the stash. I want the world to meet what I'm calling my Izzy Shawl. Seriously. It look's like Izzy, right? I mean seriously! (if you aren't a Grey's watcher you might not get it. If so, why aren't you watching it?!) I'm not sure where this obsession with lace came from...weather it's the yarn that I'm fascinated with (so light and delicate) or the open quality of the stitches, or the colors of the yarn that I've chosen? I'm not sure what the answer is, I just know that I need to knit some lace this summer!

Team Photo:

Amazing Lace Team Information:

Team Members:
Stacey and Izzy

Vital Statistics:
Stacey, knitter of 4 years who is just venturing into the world of lace knitting. Lives in Colorado and can see herself knitting lace by the pool all summer long!
Izzy, Karabella Cashmere Sunsports Shawl knit with Misti Alpaca laceweight.

Brief Bio:
Izzy and I met in March of '06 at Circles yarn shop in Boston. We hit it off right away after I noticed a little swatch knit up in this exact yarn, and I knew that I couldn't go home without her! I've been waiting for just the right occasion to start knitting this shawl...and this is it! I can't wait to get started!! We are going to kick some lace butt!

**there are just a few more days to join in on the fun over at the Amazing Lace blog. Hurry on over and sign up!!**

Back to the land of the living...

What a week. Yesterday I had to have an emergency root canal...and you all know how much I love the dentist. (or if you don't...just know that I do not enjoy it at all) For a week now the right side of my face has been hurting and giving me really bad headaches. I went to the dentist on Tuesday and he banged on all of my teeth and there weren't any problems. I had no tooth pain. Then Wednesday evening my back molar started throbbing, and my head felt like it was going to explode. It got to the point that I almost went to to the emergency room...but I decided not to. (the $200 co-pay kind of made me rethink that) So, I went back to my dentist on Thursday he numbed it up and sent me to the Endodontist for a root canal. Happy, happy, joy, joy. But, at least the pain is gone, and the only remaining pain will go away in a day or two. I'm so glad that I got this taken care of before the three day weekend! Now I can have a pain-free three days off from work.

On the knitting front, I haven't been knitting much this week. (due to the above mentioned aches and pains) I've continued knitting on Liam's blankie squares, my Koigu Clapotis, and I've cast on my project for the Amazing Lace!! (I'll introduce this project hopefully in the next day or two) This weekend I have lots of family in town, but I have a few things on my own agenda to get done. Sew buttons on my felted Mary Janes and take some pictures, and finish up my Back Tack 3 project! Must get some crafty stuff accomplished! I'll leave you with a super cute picture of Alice helping me with my clogs last week before the class! Have a great weekend everyone!

Whirlwind weekend!

I survived my first knitting class! It went off without a hitch...and I was able to relax and enjoy myself during the process. It was a little weird at first to be on the other side of a knitting class. They were looking to me for the answers?! What? But, I really did have fun. I had 5 ladies in my class, 2 of which I knew before the class. Julie, who is pictured above on the right, reads my blog on a regular basis (Hi Julie! Leave a comment already!!) and Nachaele I met through a knitting group and she's become a close friend.

After class I met up with some of my knitting buddies at Colorful Yarns and we knit until they closed at 5:30! That night while Tiffany and I were watching the 2-hour season finale of CSI (this was my second time watching it...this is what happens when I'm the local go-to TiVo girl for my friends who are busy on good TV nights!) I cast on for the baby Bolero from One Skein. It's so cute and tiny! I made some good progress that night and on Sunday afternoon while I was babysitting Alice (she was napping almost the whole time!) and watching a movie called "Something New". Check it out if you get the chance! This little Bolero will be done in the next day or so and I should have pictures of all the felted Mary Janes coming too!!

It's Friday already?

This was my favorite picture that I took on the trip to Arizona. We were delivered to the apartment in a limo because it's cheaper and much roomier than a cab. (so my Dad says)

This weekend is going to be busy, busy, busy! I teach my first class tomorrow at Highlands Ranch String! I'll be teaching at least 6 ladies how to make Felted Clogs and I'm a little bit nervous. Obviously, I know how to knit this pattern, I've done it about 17 times now...but this is the first class in a formal setting. I know two of the ladies taking the class already so that should help a little. My brother and his wife are coming into town tomorrow! Yea! I need to do some major work on my Back Tack 3 project for MK. I've been rummaging through my fabric and yarn stashes and I haven't found the perfect thing just yet. I need to get some receipes together for a little receipe swap I'm in with some ladies over at the Betty Crafter blog. AND I need to get some serious knitting in! Most stuff for my up-coming classes are at the point that I need them to be...so now I can knit on stuff for me!! Summer tops and cotton knits, here I come!

Knit-Bloggers Afghan Thursday!

So, I am a total slacker and didn't work on this project at all this week! Bad Stacey! But I did get some really cool yarn from Singapore a few weeks ago and then some from Iceland right before I left town! In the spirit of receiving yarn from overseas and around the country...I've decided to start a map keeping track of where all the yarn has come from! So...if you've sent some, go over and sign the map!!

If you were the one who sent me this yarn from Singapore...please email me! There was no name or return address on the package! I need to get your information!! I love this colorway...sherbet is such an appropriate name for this yarn!!

Baby, it's HOT oustside!

We've spent the last two afternoons at the pool, and can I just say that knitting and swimming don't really mix. My Mom almost had an accident that involved the pool and Koigu. It could have been tragic, but I yelled and got her attention just in time. Crisis averted. We did get up and around yesterday morning to run a few errands and hit the yarn shop down in Mesa called The Fiber Factory. Believe it or not... but I left the shop empty handed. What can I say, they had no Malabrigo yarn.

While we were in Mesa, I had to take Genia to the funky little coffee shop, Coffee Talk. I had been there with Amy when I was here in January and it's such a cool place. We all sat around drinking iced coffees and knitting on our Koigu-Clapotis'. Yes, you heard me, we are all knitting a Clapotis out of Koigu. This is Genia's first, my second, and my mom's THIRD! She is well and truly addicted to this pattern. She has one using Interlacements Texas (like mine), one out of SWTC Bamboo, and now one out of Koigu! Here's a shot of all three. I'd like to point out to everyone that mine is the biggest...not that it's a competition or anything!

So, about yesterday's post...of course I haven't given up the Koigu. There will be no mass distribution of my Koigu stash. I know that some of you were secretly hoping to get their hands on it, but I'm going to have to disappoint you. Sorry. I'm clearly just infatuated with this new yarn. I've had 2 skeins of it in my stash for months...but I had no idea that is was so fun to knit with. Here's a better shot of the colors I bought the other day, aren't they so springy/tulipy. I just love them all together!

It's so easy to be GREEN!

As I was knitting yesterday, I realized how much green I've been knitting with...and then it struck me! Hello Stacey! Green is this month's Project Spectrum color! I have my Mary Jane in chartruese green (finished but still not felted), my Koigu clapotis in various shades of green and other bright colors, and then a new project that I just couldn't resist after seeing Jessica knitting one at the shop. It's the stripey tote from One Skein using all that lovely Malabrgio yarn that I bought the other day. The whole base is knit with the darker green color. You guys...I can't stop knitting it. I only had Jessica wind one skein so that I wouldn't get too distracted by this project. But malabrigo is like knitting with butter (laced with crack). I think it's the softest yarn that I've ever knit with. I may never want to knit with anything else. Seriously. Koigu, who needs it if they can knit with Malabrigo? I think I may be addicted. I'm tempted to go get more as soon as they open on Wednesday. I may need an intervention.

In flight entertainment...

...was provided by the makers of Koigu, the designer of Clapotis and the authors of Mason-Dixon knitting.

First, let me just say, have you read Mason-Dixon knitting yet? If you haven't, please do yourself a favor and run out and get it! I love this book!! It reads just like their blog, which I love, plus there are tons of really cool patterns inside! Bonus! On to the second thing that I am so excited about, have you seen Cara's or Ann's square craziness? I think I'm in love! Ann's is filled with such tweedy richness...and Cara is just brillant with color. I'm keeping my eye on those two because I can't wait to see what the end result is going to look like!!

Now back to the trip...ahhh...things are so relaxed here. We all have very little agenda which makes for a nice time, not to mention more knitting time! I have already knit more hours since I've been here than I have in the previous two weeks at home. It sure feels nice to make progress on a project! I gave my mom her felted Mary Janes and she loved them!! Here they are unfelted:

Yarn: Tahki Baby in Pumpkin
Needles: Addi Turbos- size US 17's!!!
Pattern: Cozy Toe Slippers from the book Funky Knits.
Knit: In one day last week!! This project just flew off the needles! I started around 6:30pm and had them both done a few hours later! I love instant gratification projects!!

My mom liked them so much, she immediately cast on for a pair out of Brown Sheep Burly Spun so that she could see for herself how easy they are to knit! I cast on for a pair for myself out of Burly Spun as well...but mine are out of the color Limeade! The big felting session is going to take place today or tomorrow, and hopefully Illanna can come and felt her 6 pairs with us! It will be a felting party!!

As I mentioned before, we've already visited Jessica Knits. What I didn't mention is that all the yarn that we purchased is very telling about what kind of colors we are drawn to. Get ready, this is so funny to me. (by the way, Jessica Knits has Touch Me yarn on sale for $12 a ball!)

Mom:

5 skeins of "Touch Me" for a Vintage Velvet scarf, 2 skeins of Cherry Tree Hill in this gorgeous colorway!, and 1 skein of Blue Sky Cotton to make something from One Skein.

Genia:

5 skeins of "Touch Me" for a Vintage Velvet scarf, 1 skein of Cherry Tree Hill in a green colorway, and 1 skein of Blue Sky Cotton to make something from One Skein. Great minds think alike, huh?!

Me:

5 skeins of Malabrigo yarn to make the Stripey tote from One Skein and some childrens books (on sale no less!) that have knitting in them...and then on my second trip to Jessica Knits, I picked a little Koigu.

I need to go get ready to head to the pool...ta ta for now!

**If you were wondering who that third pair of feet belongs to...that's my friend Genia who came down here with us!**

And the winner is...

...Illanna, who just happens to live in Arizona and works at my favorite shop down here, Jessica Knits! How often do you get to hand deliver a blog prize in person?! It was so fun seeing her reaction! She was the second person to guess...and she got it exactly right! Down to the exact pattern and everything. She has knit at least 6 pair of these shoes herself, and I actually first saw these "clogs" on her blog. I decided to give her some of the same Tahki Baby that I made my Mom's Mary Janes out of since she hadn't tried that yet. (she's used Manos doubled, Blue Sky Bulky, Rowan Big Wool, Doubled Brown Sheep Bulky, and Brown Sheep Burly Spun!) Thanks for inspiring me to knit these Illanna! I can't wait to see what they look like all felted up!!

**I'll have pictures of my Mom with the Mary Janes and all of the pattern info in the next entry!!**

How much is too much?

As I was packing last night and this morning for my trip to Arizona, I was reminded that I am a very unrealistic packer. Both with clothing and with yarn. Does it look like I'm taking too much yarn with me? I can't decide what to cut out though. It's a problem, seriously.

Here's what I'm taking:

1. Felted Clogs: Because they are almost finished
2. Jamaica yarn: I can't wait even one more day to cast on! I'm bringing it on the plane with me! I'll be doing a little tubular cast on while in flight. (is it just me or does that sound a little bit wrong?)
3. Mystery Project 1 and 2 because as someone pointed out, it's the perfect time to work on them.
4. Rogue: Maybe I'll figure out my sizing/gauge problems (I was way too tight the first time!) Only 1 skein is going with me though.
5. Koigu Clapotis: For obvious reasons...must...have...the Koigu...at...all...times!
6. Bloggers afghan: I'm finely making some good progress, so I can't let the momentum stop!
7. Shop sample of My So Called Scarf...out of malabrigo...it's scrumptious!
8. Baby Bolero from One Skein: That baby is going to be here soon!!! I swapped out my yucky tan color that I bought first for this yummy orange one! Look at how it matches the clothes my sister bought! Soooo, cute!
9. Noro Shrug: This one is obvious. I knit with too many people who have already finished there versions ahead of me...it just needs to be done!

I told you I have a problem.

Knit-Bloggers Afghan Thursday!

Finally...an update about the afghan!! Yesterday over my lunch hour, I ran home and with the help of my mom and sister I organized all the yarn that I have for the afghan. I had assigned most of it to specific squares already, but not the stuff that has come in the mail recently. Take a look at all of it spread out. Crazy, huh?! Disregard the bright orange Post-it notes attached to most of the baggies...it's an organizational thing. Now that I think about it, I should have turned them all over so that you can actually see the yarn for the picture! Oops! So...can you spot your yarn?

Of course, my little furry helper is never too far away from the action. He would rather have been laying right in the middle of it all but I wouldn't let him. This is as close as he got. (click to view!)

Who sent it: Ruth, aka Woolyheaded

Yarn: Peace Fleece in the Moscow Magic Pink colorway.

Reason behind it: I met Ruth when I went to Boston in March. (read all about it here!) We were able to meet up at the yarn shop in Littleton, MA called The Woolpack. It was a great shop and I had fun finding lots of wooly treasures. While my mom, Ruth, and I were all shopping, my Dad was bonding with Ruth's son. It was hilarious to watch them together. Little did Ruth know when she sent me this yarn that I have looked at this colorway many times before and never bought any. So this was a treat for me to work with! I love all the little flecks of color! They just pop out of the light pink background. The yarn was leftover from a sweater that she made for her daughter, who I also got to meet. (she and her friends/siblings were playing hide and go seek at the yarn shop...what does that tell you about the size of the shop?! Impressive, huh!!) Thanks Ruth!

I am going to be taking this afghan on my trip to Arizona...so I should have multiple squares done next week...keep your fingers crossed!! Believe it or not, but I still have a few unclaimed squares on my afghan so if you have yarn for it...send it this way! Thanks everyone!! (oh, and hey Cynthia...where's my Paintbox?? Just kidding!)

Shhh...it's a secret?!

I knit a whole project last night, from start to finish...and I totally want to blog about it, but I can't! Because it's a secret!! Don't tell anyone...especially my mom. Ha! As if she doesn't read this...she told me the other day that it had been 5 days since I've written anything, and that even though she's been with me the majority of those days...she still wanted to read about it! Sheesh! Anywhoo, back to the FO. It will have to wait until after Mother's Day. I'll leave you with a little teaser picture though...and if anyone can guess what it is, correctly, than I'll send them a little something in the mail! (no guessing Whitney and Cassidy since you both know what it is!! And not you either Nachaele!)

Speaking of "secret" projects...do you know how many I have going on right now?! Three! That's way too many for a girl who has a hard time keeping stuff to herself that she's excited about. I'm never going to be able to make it. I may have to break down and talk about the one that I'm making for my nephew.

Tonight I'm going to start getting together the projects that I'm going to take with me to Arizona. What's a realistic number of projects to take on a 5 day trip where the majority of the time I'll be sitting around knitting? Here are some of the ideas, keep in mind that I like to have a lot of options!! This is not the final list...give me opinions people!! I need help!

1. Noro Shrug
2. Mystery Project #1
3. Mystery Project #2
4. Liam blankie squares
5. Koigu Clapotis
6. Felted Clogs for my class that is on the 20th! Yea!
7. Bloggers Afghan...it's still small enough that I can easily pack it in my bag.
8. Jamaica yarn because I'm desperate to start knitting with those colors!
9. Rogue??? Because it will be air-conditioned in the apartment, and I'll have a concentrated amount of time to figure out my guage/sizing problems.

Stacey got mail! Stacey got mail!

Lookee what came in the mail! I received my contest winning's from Cara! I won the Mason-Dixon Knitting book...signed even! (which is a good thing since I didn't end up getting to go to Kansas City (boo hoo!!) last weekend) I knew that she was going to include yarn for my afghan project when she sent the book, but imagine my surprise when I opened up the box and found all of this!

She sent me some PINK Euroflax yarn, since those crazy Mason-Dixon girls love it so much. She also sent some of her beautiful sheepy Photo Art Cards. These beautys are going to go up on the wall in my knitting loft! Now for the BIG unexpected part of the package...she gave me Socks That Rock for my afghan!! Can you believe it???!! It's Garnet Dreams, very appropriate from January One. (click for a close-up!!)It's almost too pretty to knit with, especially in an afghan...but I'm going to do it. It will forever remind me of Cara, and come on...when you think of her, what yarn do you think of? Socks that Rock of course! Thanks so much Cara, your generosity is overwhelming to me...thank you, thank you!

**Look who had to get in on the action!**

Long time...no post

I realized this morning that it has been almost a week since I've posted anything on my blog! I'm not sure why...but I just haven't felt like posting. I'm sure the fact that my camera is now in it's final moments of life has something to do with it. (for the last week it has worked maybe 1 out of 10 times) I've also been super busy. Lots of time spent hanging out at yarn shops around town, at knitting groups, cleaning my house, and hanging with the girls on Saturday. Which reminds me...my mom, sister, Alice, and I went to Kokoro on Saturday afternoon for lunch. This is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in town, and now apparently, it's Alice's favorite too! My mom told her it would be easier if she just drank the sauce instead of dipping her hand in it! I'm sure my sister really appreciates her giving Alice that kind of advice. It was so funny to watch though! Here's the sequence of events:

Project Spectrum May: Green

I've started off the month with green in mind. Since I'm on a felted clog kick...I cast on another pair yesterday. This is going to be the first class that I teach in a few weeks and I wanted to have some samples knit up...which means that I'm knitting like a mad woman. I'm turning the cuff on this first one...and I'm going to cast on for the second clog tonight! I just love how the mohair is striping...totally didn't know it would do that...bonus!

Yarn: Brown Sheep worsted in Kiwi for the soles. The top is 1 strand of Brown Sheep Chocolate Souffle held with one strand of Artful Yarns Broadway in color number 07.

Happy May Day and an FO!

My mom, as I've said before, is so thoughtful and good at giving little gifts. She gave me a little "shorn" sheep and some beautiful tulips for May Day. My mom is the best at giving me little "reminders" that she loves me! Awww! Thanks Mom!

I can't believe that it's already May! Where has the Spring gone...it's almost summer! I have a feeling that this month is going to fly by. I'm going to Arizona from the 12th-17th, my friend Megan is getting married on the 19th, I'm teaching 2 classes, my brother and his wife Jackee are coming for a week long visit (yeah!)...and before I know it, June will be here! June is a big month this year...and it's not just because June is my birthday month (which it is), but Liam is going to be born! A little baby boy! I can hardly stand it I'm so excited! Okay...I need to calm down with the exclaimation points. Sheesh.

(this is a super cute display at Colorful Yarns!!)
I had a ton of fun this weekend. I got to hang out with my Mom a bunch because my Dad was out of town. Saturday morning I had breakfast with Cynthia and Michelle and then we spent most of the afternoon at Colorful Yarns, in their new location. (the shop is in an identical building as before, but it's just directly West of the old shop in the southwest corner, on the first floor. Click the link for better directions!) The three of us girls took over the seating/book area and knit for a while. Of course we all did a little shopping too! Go check out Cynthia's blog to see some pictures of the inside of the shop!! Sunday, I slept in, and then met Genia and her sister for lunch and a little clothes shopping. I wasn't going to get anything...but then I did! I just love all the little bolero sweaters that Lane Bryant has out right now! And who can pass up jeans for $19.99? Not me! The weekend was finished off with a little bit of Grey's Anatomy. It was good.

Last...I caved on Sunday...and bought some Katia Jamaica yarn that I had my eye on since Colorful Yarns opened. Bonus that it was 50% off, with an additional 10% after that!! I see a fun summer top in my near future! It sounds like the perfect project to take to Arizona!

Finally...an FO to show you!!

Yarn: Mauch Chunky in Rubarb and Cotton Candy, and the novelty yarn is ?? (I'll fill this in later!)
Needles: Addi Turbos- size US 13, 24"
Knit: April 22-May 1

Aarrghh!

I've been trying to find my camera cord all weekend...and I can't find it! I have a post all written...about May Day and pictures taken...but the pictures can't be downloaded! Phooey. So, what do I do when there aren't new pictures available? Show you cute pictures of my niece, Alice!

Here she is in her pj's of choice that I'm proud to say, I gave her! She is all about Nemo lately. Totally can't get enough of Nemo! It's crazy to me how much that movie holds her attention...she will watch about 45 minutes of it without getting up. Those guys at Pixar really know what they are doing! Usually when I watch her on Saturday nights we make a huge pile of blankets and pillows and watch Nemo. It's a good thing I love that movie as much as she does!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the three of us taken a couple months ago. My sister has been craving Jamba Juice lately, and we learned that they will give us a tiny size cup with the leftovers from a large size. It's totally Alice-size! Before we learned this nifty trick she would drink at least half of our drinks! It's also handy that the Jamba Juice is located just down the street from String!

I finally got a picture of Alice's "surprise" face! Isn't it hilarious?! So funny! This was taken at Colorful Yarns right before the big move! (more on that when I can dowload pictures!) So, my May-Day post will just be delayed a bit...here's to hoping that I find that silly camera cord!!!