Down by the boardwalk….Down by the sea….. April 28, 2008

Today is hand spun Monday once again!!! YAY! I have something very fun to show you all today!

This is some wonderful roving that jumped into my basket at Knitch. I know, I know, I came back with tooooons of stuff you haven’t even seen yet! But this roving is GORGEOUS! it hails from Gale’s Art. It contains 4 oz. worth of blue facewool. The color way is Deep Blue Sea. It has been wonderful to work with! I spun it up one night and plied it the next!

Here is the label, just in case you don’t believe me.

I have no idea as to why it’s called “Deep Blue Sea.” Do you?

Mmmm…. ok ready to see how it spun up?

I’m still spinning a little “thick and thin” and a little overspun, but it is starting to even out quite a bit.

Soooo pretty! (can you see my little car down there in the background?)

And here we are all plied up. Again, I know it’s a bit overspun, but I am working on it!

And here she is all hanked up. After a good “Thwacking” she has evened out quite a bit!

I am not sure as to the yardage just yet, however I do have 10 WPI. So I have a good worsted weight yarn!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

It’s time to Enable an Enabler! April 25, 2008

Yes, I may finally have something that Cristi cannot resist. I know she is going to drool over this one y’all!

Ok, everyone, all together now…. OOOOoooooooooooooooo!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!

There’s a little hint… ya wanna know what it is????

Oh yes, it is Shibui. It is beautiful, and it was purchased on that fabulous trip to Knitch I had last week!

Here are some specs for you:

A little blurry I am sorry, but you can still read it!

I know they are not my usual colors, but really, who could resist them! And hey, there is nothing wrong with branching out once in a while! Enjoy everyone!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Thumping good Thursday! April 24, 2008

So Thursday seemed like a lack luster day surrounded by greats such as “WiP Wednesday” and “Yarn Pr0n Friday.” Well, poor Thursday usually gets ignored. Not anymore people! Thursday is going to be my day to show off something I find to be “thumping good!!” Now that can range from knitting gadgets, spinning gadgets, books, movies, whatever!!! This week just happens to be knitting gadget related!!

Let me just lure you in.

Let me tell you , that when I saw these little babies on Zonda’s blog, I knew I was not going to be able to resist!!! They are beautiful bamboo needle gauge, stitch gauge and WPI tool. All done custom for me by KaratStix. She has a wonderful Etsy shop and can do wonderful things!!

I asked for frogs and all my favorite colors and I got exactly that! They are so beautiful!

You should click on the above link to her shop and read how she does this. It is really amazing!

Some close ups for you to see the amazing details!

I love this little guy. Apparently he was the solid piece from one of the needle gauge holes. I need to decide which knitting bag he will go on!!

And no, there are no frogs on my WPI tool, but how could I resist not getting something with these oh so cute woolly ewe’s on it!!!!

“Baaaahhhh”

I hope you enjoyed the first of many installments of “Thumping Good Thursday!”

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

OOOoooo Lady I love your ways…. April 23, 2008

So, not all that long ago, in an LYS not far away, a dirty-rotten enabler whispered in my ear to buy the Noro Kochoran Color 53 Lot B. Why did I listen you may ask, and why did I buy EVERY skein in that color way you may ask? Because of this:

Pattern: Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style by Pam Allen

Yarn: Noro Kochoran Color 53 Lot No. B

Needles: 10 1/2

Dirty Rotten Enabler Responsible for this mess!!: Cristi

This is SUCH an amazing pattern. I have never done Entrelac before, but it couldn’t be easier!

This is a very long term project and I hope to get about halfway through it before the full force of summer hits us. Of course at the rate we are going Cristi and I may have this finished before then. Who knows!! Stay tuned for updates!

Lady E. is not the only thing making some progress around here!

Crystal’s scarf made some serious progress while I was in ATL. visiting some of my favorite people. You will get a post on them later this week!!

I may not work there anymore Crystal, but I haven’t forgotten about you!!!

This is going to be so pretty once it blocks out! I love those little leaves!

Well, that is all for Wip Wednesday people! Tune in next week, same time, same place for some more amazing updates!! Don’t ask me why I’m talking like an old radio announcer, it’s early in the morning and it is “hump day.”

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Busting Fat Tuesday April 22, 2008

I was going to originally call this post, just plain old “Fat Tuesday.” However, I thought since I didn’t really want to talk about how fat I was every Tuesday, and more about what I am doing to correct the situation, I thought “Busting Fat Tuesday” was more appropriate.

I know, I know, this has nothing to do with knitting. Well, in a way it does. It is through some of my closest knitting friends that I have found the endurance and the motivation to start and continue with the Weight Watchers program. It is through my husband that I stay motivated to continue eating right and riding my bike when I can. And now, I can have accountability through another group of fantastic people here on the web. Fitness-A-Long was started by a good friend I just haven’t actually met in person yet! (We shall remedy this sometime soon!!) Pam is fantastic and if you care to join us in our endeavors please contact her at Katydidknits@gmail.com.

No it is not the norm to post weights and sizes on the Internet, or even speak them out loud. But really I want you all to see the progress I am making in my life. I want someone to see what I am doing and realize that they can do the same thing. For me, it really makes it easier to start aggressively doing something about my weight if I can see some one who is a lot like me making an effort. So if I can inspire just a handful of people to join a program that works for them and get healthy, then I feel my outing my numbers is worth it. I know that miss Becca a friend of mine from my old job, saw me starting WW and joined up as well! I wish her the best and hope that she is doing well.

So for my conclusion, my numbers, which I will post every Tuesday from now on! And please check out a program that suits you, or push the button on my sidebar for the Fitness-A-Long!!

Starting numbers:

Weight: 253.4

Arms: 15″

Waist: 42.25″

Bust: 45.5″

Thighs: 30″

Hips: 50.75″

Current Numbers:

Weight: 230.8

Arms: 14″

Waist: 42″

Bust: 45.5

Thighs: 28.25″

Hips: 50.25″

Total Loss to Date:

Weight: -22.6 lbs.

Inches Total: 3.5″

Good luck to all of you who are starting your own weight loss adventure! It is hard in the beginning, but you will soon find that it really is life changing and will very quickly become routine!

Love, Stitches & Fitness,

C.M.S.S.

What goes up, must come down. Spinning wheel, got to go ’round. April 21, 2008

Good morning and Happy Monday people! You may ask, why the hell is she so excited on a Monday morning?!! Well, one, I am starting my new job today!!!! YAY!!!! And two, I am participating in “Hand spun Monday” for the second time. Why, you ask, is this such a big deal? Well, let me introduce you to the newest member of our family!!!

Isn’t he handsome! He is the Lendrum DT folding wheel, and he spins like a dream! The wonderful people at The Woolery packed me up a complete set, with a few other extras I ordered. I was very lucky in getting a wheel, because these little babies are on a three week waiting period. I did not have to wait! They are based here in NC so the wheel was shipped on Monday and got to me on Tuesday of last week! How cool is that!

DH had the boxes waiting for me when I got in from work on Tuesday night. The living room very quickly turned into a packing material mess as I ripped it open and started putting it together!

I had him set up and spinning in no time at all! A lot of that being thanks to this video. If you scroll down the page on that link a bit you will find two really great videos to help you get your Lendrum out of the box and start spinning!

And yes folks, I did actually manage to spin the Louet Grey Icelandic Top that was sent with the wheel! It got kind of ugly for a bit, but in the end, It turned out relatively well for my first spin!

It isn’t washed yet, and there are some over and under spun bits, but it is mine and I will find something cool to knit from it. Maybe even something I can show in public!

As for right now, I am just happy to be spinning along! I shall have something new on the wheel for you next Monday!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Littering and…. littering and…. littering and…. April 11, 2008

…Smokin’ the reefer. In honor of tonights Super Trooper showing, I thought it only fitting that today’s Yarn Pr0n be something related.

I have been waiting for my LYS to get in some kind of Hemp for knitting since at least Christmas now. So you can imagine my joy when I heard that Hempathy had finally arrived. It is a beautiful yarn that is very soft to the touch, probably owing to the cotton that is blended with it. No, it’s not for smoking or macrame.

I did end up with more than just my favorite shade of green.

They came out looking very gray in the picture. However, they are actually more of a celadon. It is very springy and I love it!

You can almost see the color in this picture.

So for my pot laced yarn, kidding, sort of, I am planning on the Everlasting Bagstopper. It is a continuation of me trying to do my part to help out the environment a bit. OH and I should probably also mention that if you are in the Charlotte area, you can pick up this fabulous stuff at Charlotte Yarn!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

And there were Knitters April 10, 2008

Knitters from different regions of the South East descended upon the Northlake Mall Borders Tuesday April 8, 2008. Why? Why would we do such a thing?

Two words…..

Yarn Harlot

It was such an incredible evening and it was so awesome to get to meet so many great people! The usual suspects from the Charlotte knitting groups were in attendance.

Cristi and I showed up a bit early to case the joint. We had to get our wristbands and had to make sure we would be early to see Stephanie. Yes, we are dorks and we know. It’s ok. Cristi patiently sat for a while getting her steak ready to cut. Yes, I said steak and yes I said cut. She was going to ask Stephanie to do it for her. And if you want to know the dramatic conclusion to that story… you must visit her post!!!!! I know that is kinda mean, but hey, it’s her story to tell!

We were having a great time as everyone was showing up! You would have thought we were at BaM the way we moved the chairs around and did whatever we wanted to.

The lovely lady sitting on the left of the picture is Niki (aka KnitNik on Ravelry). She came down from Winston-Salem wih Kim (aka Buggajam on Ravelry). Kim works at Knit Picky Yarns in Winston-Salem. It is my FAVORITE LYS to visit when I go see my parents in Lexington.

Kim is sitting there behind Cristi.

Erin (blogless I think, but is Perexiguus on Ravelry) joined us as well! She gets her own little photo shoot because she was sitting on my left hand side and unless I could fly over the rail behind me (which I can’t and refuse to try) I just couldn’t get everyone in the group shots!

May, Dani, and Aimee finally joined us in anticipation! Aimee’s bag is there in the shot… do ya see it? It’s obnoxiously pink… it’s ok honey I still love you even if you are pink!

HAHA!!! I caught you!!!

She is so cute y’all. She smile through anything. Her shoulder was killing her and she did have to go home early, but she was there and she experienced the Yarn Harlot! YAY DANI!

I’m going to mimick myself and what happened when I was suprised and saw her walk off the elevator on our way back upstairs. I’m going to shut up and let you all be star struck too:

I am a happy girl!

Love&Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

Here we go again… April 9, 2008

It is Wednesday again!! And we know that means that I am to show you updates on works in progress or just new WIP’s in general! Well, I have a few to show you. Hemlock ring hasn’t really made any progress since last week, so there is no picture update for you there. Well, if you really want to look at it then go back to last Wednesday’s post! So, anyway, this week I have a few new items for the list.

Much to Crystal’s delight, I have finally started working on her scarf. It is going beautifully! The pattern is Liesel by Mary Joy Gumayagay. It is a beautiful climbing leaf pattern that dear Crystal has been waiting very patiently for. The yarn is:

It was purchased from the Loopy Ewe and is like butter to work with. I am using size 6 needles as this is a fingering weight yarn. This is going to block out to be a gorgeous scarf!

What?

What are you pointing at???

OH THE BOWL!

You noticed… how nice!

Yes that is a yarn bowl and yes it is a KnitWitch yarn bowl too. Who loves me enough you ask??? Why Cristi does! She was sweet enough to find me a beautiful green yarn bowl. Here’s a few more shots of it for you:

Even felted on the bottom for no slippin’ while knittin’!!! Thank you so much Cristi!! I LURVE IT! (to borrow a bit from Stacey)

I also started on another pair of Toe up socks yesterday. My others are finished and I will have them pictured and posted later this week.

Whatcha think? Very pretty colors aren’t they! And I will tell you that the yarn is uber smooshy. It is Hill Country Yarns:

This was also ordered from the Loopy Ewe as part of my after Christmas yarn binge. So I had some Christmas $$. What would you have done with it???!!!

The pattern is a personal one and I’ll let you see what I do with it the farther along I go.

Oh! did I mention that the Yarn Harlot herself has touched these socks? Hehe… those pictures will come to you tomorrow.

Until then….

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.

“OOO What a Lucky Girl, She Was” April 4, 2008

For those of you familiar with Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, you understand that reference. For those of you who are not. Just know that it means I am one of the luckiest girls on the planet. I am privileged to have some extremely wonderful friends. And Dani, who I have gotten to know better over the last few months, I am sure is a sister from a previous life. Ask anyone who knows her and you will hear nothing but good, kind, warm hearted things said about her. On her last post, Dani expressed that she did not care for the March installment of STR. She mentioned, however, that she might know of someone who would like this colorway. Can anyone out there guess who she turned it over to? YUPPERS! ME ME ME! Something that was so unnecessary, but so appreciated. I have drooled over this yarn forever and now I have a chance to play with it! So, without further ado, or words, Lucky by Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rawk (100% Superwash Merino Medium Weight).

Dani, you Rawk my Socks!

Love & Stitches,

C.M.S.S.