I Dyed twice on Saturday the 22nd

On Saturday, September 22ND, some of the Sisters of the Wool went to Heritage Arts on the beautiful Beaumont Ranch to learn how to dye yarn. It was a quaint shop,the tables were set up up, the yarn had been soaking overnight in water, we were told to take a piece of foil, to put our skein on top of it and pick out our colors. The colors we chose were all individual as all of us. I had a slight idea as to what I was going to do with one but the other would have to come to me.
The first color I chose was of course purple, my next color was going to be what I thought was a dark forest green, based on the name on the jar was Spruce. To my surprise and wee bit of annoyance turned out more blueish than greenish. So I punted when it came to a third color. I kept adding the second color thinking what would I use for the third.

I punted and added Silver Gray and was somewhat surprised. Someone had made a comment that my colors were not weak. it did not bother me one bit. I it thought looked fine to me.

We were told that when we finished, we were to fold it into a burrito then into a cinnamon roll. So off our aluminium silver foil cinnamon rolls went to bake in the oven for half an hour. We waited, patiently, we went inside the chapel to cool off. We chatted, ate, knitted while we waited. Then suddenly someone came into the chapel and told us the first of the yarns were coming out. We all went and saw many of our skeins hanging on the dowel to drip dry. I did not come up with a name for my skein until I saw it there the silver twinkling at me in the Texas sun. Arora Borealis. I had dyed and named my first skein.

Each skein was rinsed out in cold water and hung up. Some of the rinse water dripped down onto the boards below.

After another half hour had gone by, the rest of the yarns came out. The next skein started with Crimson, it looked like a deep dark raspberry, followed by Scarlet, and then last was Fire Red. So I toyed with naming it Friday the 13th. Can you spot the skein below?

Here it is all by itself.

And now Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce from Mary's Little Lambs

Arora Borealis

Friday the 13th

I hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at dyeing. Now that I know how to do it. I may do it again for myself for special projects.

Still the same.

I am going to make a Red scarf this year for the red scarf program. I am using red as the main color and then adding odds and ends of leftover yarn and samples. I am going to use the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I made some more progress on my tank top, the very middle circle needs to be finished, then I can sew it up. Then the bottom half and 1/8 of it for the sleeve.

I am having issues with making a hat. I've tried two different hat patterns and they both were coming out wonkie. This is the third hat pattern that I am attempting. It is called Jewel Baby Hat pattern. I like the way it's starting out with the patterns in the yarn. Two of the girls at work saw it and hinted, I wear hats....

Progress on my sock, I've turned the heel. now only to knit it long enough to match the other and I am done. I have to finish it by 9/30/07 to be entered into the connect. I bought another skein of this yarn but in a nearly solid purple.

And now back to the boy friend sock for DH. Well, the last one took me six weeks of working on and off of it. I have found a little bit of a faster way to knit this one. I have put stitch markers every where I have to change stitches, that way all I have to keep track of is what row I am on. It seams to be going faster. I will see.

This weekend some of the Sisters of the Wool are driving out to a place called Heritage Arts and we will get to learn how to dye yarn. I am considering purchasing a student spindle. It might be time to learn how to spin. Maybe then I can have some more of the Sock Hop yarn for socks and not have to wait until the next update. Oh and don't get me started on shop updates. There is one that gives a select group of customers a heads up that new products or products in high demand are up for sale and leave the rest of us fending for ourselves. I will have some new yarn porn but I will post it in a day or two. Tomorrow is knit night.

It's Fall, well almost.

The weather in Texas has gotten more hospitable. It's been in the mid 80's during the day and 68 during the night. I had to get this kit from Natural Dye Studio, it came with a basic toe up sock pattern 5 double point Surina double points, and 2 skeins of luscious skeins of beautiful British Blue Faced Leicester wool the colorway is Orchid. The Natural Dye Studio is on Ebay Progress my sock well I almost ready to start the gussets I love, love love this yarn. The pattern is super easy and it's a quick knit, it s Lanas Puras Melosa-Fingering Weight and the pattern is The Lacy Mock Cable Socks pattern yes of course it is toe up, you can find it at One Yarn and Fiber.Com

Well sock two of the Boyfriend Sock pattern has been cast on. The first one took quite a while to work on only because I work on 3 or 4 different projects at the same time, I have to switch projects daily or I get bored. I have to start working on the red scarf for this years red scarf program .

I am working on the last full hexagon for this tank top, then all that is left is half of on at the bottom and on small section on the sleeve. I am going to add straps and a border around it to finish it. My next on is waiting in the wings I already have the yarn for it.

This baby hat is driving me batty. I tried one pattern and twice it came out wonkie, so I tried another pattern twice, it too is coming out wonkie. I am going to rip it out and find yet another hat pattern.

Mom's health is concerning me more and more, it is decorating more and more each day. The other day when I talked to her she was totally out of breath as if she had been running a marathon. It sounded like she was breathing through a harmonica. She said her legs are swollen from her crotch to her toes and that they were so swollen that she could not even put on her shoes. It's obvious the latest strongest diuretic they gave her is not working. Cousin D was going to go take her shopping for shoes today. I bet mom didn't take her diuretics today because she was going shopping. I can hear how tired she is on the phone. I can also hear her giving up. All I can do is to tell her I love her.

Secret Pal Strikes

Thursday I got home from work, it was another long day, I don't understand the logic of recruiters waiting to the last minute to get things done. I was sent 6 marriages with providers going to work in 24 hours and they all needed approval. They tried to make me stressed but I would not give into their hysteria. I didn't create the problem. I am going to do my best to get them all done but There will not be any wigging out over it.

When I got home, there was a pink envelope in the mail box, with a stamp, "Royal Mail" on it. I immediately scan over my package looking for any clue. Gingerly I squish the package.... it's yarn must be yarn. Then I see it the return address label, "Posh Yarns" Posh yarns?!? I believe we all as knitters have one yarn that we hold as if you will the "Holy Grail" of yarns. One more prized than all the rest. One that we try to obtain but it keeps eluding us time and time again. Posh was one of these for me. I could only imagine what color. Ripping open the tissue, there it was the glorious soft green yarn so soft so decant. Thank you so much to my secret pal!!! I love it.

One Sock Two Sock Red Sock Blue Sock

I finished 1 sock of the pair of socks for DH!!!! I've used one entire skein. Now all I have to do is start the second one. By the way if I haven't mentioned it before this is the Boyfriend Sock pattern.
I did see that the Knitting Zone had this yarn for sale so there is still some left for those that are looking for it. http://www.knittingzone.com/catalog/product_info.php?pName=fortissima-socka-stars-and-stripes-1776&cName=fingering-weight-super-fine-sockaAs if 1 sock wasn't enough I finished a second, not the pair to the BF socks but the 1st of my Lacy Mock Cable Socks made out of Lanas Puras Melosa, fingering weight, that I got from One Planet. I love the way this yarn feels. The pattern is easy peasy.

I also started on sock 2 for the pair. Gosh my foot looks soo little.

I've now made progress on this tank that it resembles a tank. All I have left is 1 whole hexagon, one half and one eight I didn't make enough for one of the sleeves so I am going to add it in. Then the arm straps and I think I am going to put a plain solid pink band around the bottom.

This is my first Baby Surprise jacket by Nancy Zimmerman. Made out of Cider Moon I believe in Glacier, and the colorway is Pandora Rose. I will be making a hat to go along with it, just have to find the right pattern.

Late but better than never

Ok here is the update from last week. I know I know but, it's better than never. This is my Lacy Mock Cable sock. I'm excited I've finished it and will be casting on the 2ND one. What I have to do is undo the bind off edge and go back and do a I believe it's called a sewn bind off. It will be allot looser. I wonder if I can add an edging to it at this point. This is the first sock of the DH's, I am finally on the RIBBING!!!!! Who knows I might finish the ribbing next week.

My BaSalt tank top is coming along so I am excited

But, all I have left to do on the Surprise jacket is to sew in the thread, and sew on the buttons and I'm done!!!!! Now I have almost a full skein of the beautiful Cider Moon yarn left I need to find a hat pattern and maybe booties for a boy.

I went shopping to Elann and got the yarn for my Surplice Lace Top by Gayle Bunn

Why do I knit with wool in 104 degree heat???

Why do I knit with wool in 104 degree heat??? Because I live in Texas and it's August. Summer finally made it to Texas with a vengeance. Last week went a little nuts,I didn't get as much knitting done as I wanted. The BaSalt tank is coming along. I am now on octagon 4. I am hoping to have it finished before September 1st. The DH's sock (The boyfriend sock pattern) keeps growing, but I am finally starting to decrease, soon now I will be working on the ribbing and binding off. He loves them. He's realized how much work goes into knitting a sock and how much more goes into knitting one.

The Baby Surprise Jacket. I'm so excited it's half done and I haven't even touched the second skein. Now I have started to look for the buttons. Anyone out there know of any good places for handmade buttons?

I had to start another pair of socks, I know it goes against what I said a few weeks ago about projects but I joined Sock Knitter's Anonymous and the Ravelry group is having a year long sock down challenge
Sockdown: Ravelry is a year-long personal knitting challenge that will begin on August 1, 2007 and end on September 30, 2008. Members of Sock Knitters Anonymous are NOT required to participate in the KAL. It is to help us challenge ourselves by knitting socks using different techniques. This first month we have a choice of either knitting a pattern by The Sock Bug or any lace pattern. Though I like the patterns by The Sock Bug, and will probably knit at least 1 or all of her sock patterns, I had to knit this one next. I bought the yarn and the pattern from One Planet Yarn and Fiber was made from the yarn. The yarn is from Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering and the pattern is Lacy Mock Cable Socks. The colorway is Golden Rose. My camera does not do it justice. But here it is, the pattern is so easy, I am already making the gussets. Yes, it's a toe up pattern. The yarn is so super soft.

Secret Pal 11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? Well for socks, I like using super wash 75/25 combo but I have used 100% merino for socks. I love Alpaca, merino, blue face Leicester, silk, I want to try sea silk, and camel. You know how some of us collect patterns also? Well... so do I but my favorite is fingerless gloves. I have only knit one pair but I love to knit them. Now as far as which yarn I use, in no particular order Yarn Pirate, Lorena's Laces, Woolly Boully (She's on Etsy ) Cider Moon , Lanas Puras and Koigu I am drooling over Briar Rose Fibers, Socks that rock, Alchemy Yarns, Hand Maiden, Fleece Artist, Beaded Rayon by Blue Heron yarns, Sock Hop yarn by Crown Mountain Farms.... I could go on but I will never respond to all the questions so I'll stop. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?I don't like mohair, no acrylic 2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?I use knit picks options mainly so I use their binder and their plastic sleeves, I could use some more of the 1 pocket page, I have enough of the 2 and 3 pocket page. 3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? It will be 2 yrs in December. Mom tried to teach me when I was 10 I hated it then, and I started again by what I remembered from what she taught me and Knitting for dummies. Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I think this year it would be safe to say intermediate. 4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes but remember only the knitting things on the Amazon list are mine the rest are gifts the DH wants. 5. What's your favorite scent? Crisp clean air, lavender, vanilla, 6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes Favorite candy?Chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate covered nuts, graham crackers, M & Ms with nuts and without. 7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?Surfing Ravelry. Do you spin? Not yet but hopefully in two years. 8. What kind of music do you like?I'll get back to you on that. Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?No (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)9. What's your favorite color(s)?Vibrant Greens, purples, Reds Any colors you just can't stand?Orange 10. What is your family situation? Married Do you have any pets?1 very spoiled welsh corgi and 2 spoiled cats. 11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?yes to Scarves, no to hats, yes to mittens and yes yes yes to ponchos. 12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?Its a toss up between fingerless gloves and socks. 13. What are you knitting right now?BaSalt tank from Knitting Nature, Boy Friend sock pattern socks for DH, Sup rise baby jacket and Lanas Puras pattern Lacy mock cable socks. 14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes 15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?Circular Bamboo, aluminum, plastic Knit picks, ebony and rosewood. ?16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Yes and Yes. 17. How old is your oldest UFO?1 year 18. What is your favorite holiday?Halloween 19. Is there anything that you collect?Yes, mice, dragons, faeries and pirate stuff. 20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Yes the new Cat Bordi sock book New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One,Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes and Stitch 'N Bitch Page-A-Day Calendar 2008 What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?Interweave Knits 21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?I am still working on cables this year, next year it's lace and fair isle 22. Are you a sock knitter? Yes What are your foot measurements?It's 10 inches long, not sure of the rest of them but if it helps I have a wide foot and have thicker calves 23. When is your birthday? 05/06 24. Are you on Ravelry? yes I am. If so, what's your ID? Look for Knitstress.Mary

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?My gauge ruler, I don't know how I used to measure gauge without it before I found it. Since I found it, it's been so easy.
2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? Of course. If so, how much and what type of project?At least 2 projects, because what would I do if I finish what I bring? It's whatever I have on my needles. I take my knitting with me every day there are at least 4 projects in the bag. 3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?The Blue Ridge Parkway, The outter banks of the Carolina's, Rocky Mt National Park. 4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes by Vicki Square and New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One by Cat Bordhi Do you own it?Sadly no not yet. 5. Do you listen to podcasts? I used to Which is your favorite(s)?I did not have any one that was a favorite.

Updated progress from last week.

I've been a little busy with .. ok I will admit, I got sucked into Ravelry. At least last week I stuck to the new plan. This is the new blanket square I have been working on. Only a little big more to go and then I can start on a new one. The DH's first sock. Still not done, he wants them to his knees so I have about 5 more inches to go. Now for cindybmw2004 who was kind enough to leave a comment. This yarn is
Fortissima Colori Socka:1776. I purchased it last year, at a yarn shop in Arlington Texas. It's a bit rougher than what I am used to but, I am told the roughness will go away with the first washing.

This is the progress on my BaSalt tank top. I have hexagons 1-3 finished, I have added half of a hexagon to the bottom of #1. I think that will give me the length I am looking for.

I started a baby surprise jacket! Surprise! I ripped it out after 30 rows.... There was one mistake in it that I could not live with so back to the drawing board. I hope baby Jaxon doesn't decide to surprise his parents and come before his ETA date of 10/26 . I have also found out I get to make 2 more of these. Surprise!!!

I have signed up for Secret Pal 11. With the pictures that I am going to post at the end of this week, there will be hard evidence I have faltered off the knitting plan of one new project, one sock project, one UFO. You will all soon see.

Aristocratic names

A Delightful ball of energy

July 19th we all gathered at Borders for a extra Thursday night knit night (Tuesday nights are knit nights except when there is a special reason). We all were patenting waiting. Her plan landed late because of a storm in Atlanta. We got a little antsy, The Pattern Whisperer was trying to whisper a pattern, Joyous was busy contemplating knitting of course. Then they were stuck in traffic, proceeded with the usual yarn porn, aka show and tell aka the blessing of the yarn. Shared new books, patterns or tools acquired since last week, congratulated the ones that had finished objects and yes knitted. All waiting for the arrival of our special guest, our Sister from across the pond.

Then she appeared in front of us. There was Jo. So happy and bubbly, so excited even though some of us just met her for the first time, she hugged each one of us individually. I don' know where she got all her energy she was up for 20 some odd hours when we saw her. She was almost in tears because she had waited for so long to be with us. Our time together passed so quickly. Jo was able to spend the next two days with Angluna for 2 days on her world wind journey to Texas. She flew home on Sunday morning, we know she will come back to be with us again some day. I finished another square. This is just all simple seed stitch. Not very pretty but it used up some more yarn that was leftover.
This one is a diagonal stitch. This got a little wonkie it kept growing and growing even when I was decreasing. I did slack off for a bit and didn't knit squares for a while. I am making an effort to knit 10 rows a night.

And this is the progress I have made on Tim's sock, only 10 more inches to go before I can add 2 inches of ribbing. He's really happy with the way it's turning out. I am impressed with myself on the way it's turning out. Next sock yarn for him will be out of a different yarn. I have several skeins of sock yarn and want to start knitting socks for me but Nope... have to finish these for him.

This is the 3rd hexagon for the BaSalt tank I am going to knit half of one to put in at the bottom of #1. We will see if it turns out the way I want.

I am still working on finishing the shrug for Rene, I am not sure if it is turning out the way I want, one sure way is to finish it and then I will see.

Tomorrow is knit night, the highlight of the day.

Waiting for a Sister

The Sisters of the Wool are excitedly awaiting a visit from one of our Sisters that usually does not make it on Tuesday nights. We are having a very special second meeting this week to welcome one of our Sisters from far far away. Travel safely Jo. We will all get to meet you soon.

It's here!!! It's here!!!! It's here!!!!

My invitation to Ravelry is finally here!!!!!!! To find me on Ravelry look for KnitstressMary

I caught Smudge in the bathroom window, with the sunlight streaming in, he just looked so regal, so Smudgley, upon his throne of books. That is one of his many thrones. Now onto Knitting!!!! First the update on the DH's socks. Foot is done heel is turned and now onto the leg. He would like these up over his calf so I am not 100% how long I have to make it but the good thing about toe up I can keep trying them on. The back of the sock will have the same cable design, I am going to be adding stitches to the sides to that it will allow for his bigger calves. first now not sure how many stitches, but again toe up will help so I can check them once a day. He is thrilled with them so far, he loves it that it fits so well. I am pretty amazed at how well it's fitting.

Next update my Basalt Tank, I kind of frelled up on the second hexagons, some of the knitting was on the wrong side but it's going to be like that.

Also this week I am working on fixing my niece's shrug. I need to add about 3 or 4 inches to both sides of the shrug. I also am working on a square for charity. I will take more photos of things this week

I am only 205 people away from my Ravelry invite. I should have it by knit night. I did want to mention that I ordered yarn from someone new to me Cider Moon I ordered on the 12th and by the 14th it's in my freezer. I saw the right purple for the Baby Surprise Sweater that I am going to be knitting for a firend. I haven't even gotten the pattern yet but I have the yarn. So with service like that I have to put them on my list of people I will use.

Ravelry wait time

Found you!
You signed up on May 28, 2007
You are #5738 on the list.
205 people are ahead of you in line.
10559 people are behind you in line.
33% of the list has been invited so far

DH's First socks

I promised the DH a pair of socks after I was satisfied with making a pair that fit me. Well I finally learned and now the DH is getting a pair of red white and blue socks. When I found a pattern called the Boyfriend socks pattern The pattern was designed by a lovely person called the Slipped Stitch. Well... it was a knitting disaster for at least 3 days,the socks had to go into time out. it was just coming out way big. The stitch count was fine while I was increasing, but as soon as I started the pattern it grew by a quarter of an inch. It was quite vexing. I had to finally go down to size 1 needles, and medium size and finally it was coming out right. Well except for now, I just noticed an error I made in the pattern. Now do I leave it as it and call it a pattern alteration or do I frog again??? I will decide that later. At least I have a safety line in where the toe decreases stop. I also thought I would try doing things in 3 so I started with the increases on the 3rd stitch and not the second as I typically do, by the 6th time of increasing the sock started looking too boxie so I did the increases on the second stitch.

Tomorrow is knit night and I am going to take Rene's shrug with me because I have to add at least 3 inches to it maybe even 4. I have a few questions for my Sisters in Wool.



Still no invitation to Ravelry, but I had an email from them yesterday, there are about 1000 people in front of me so I guesstimate somewhere within two weeks I should be getting my invitation.


I have been experimenting with doing a rag rolled effect in the bathroom. I think I like this We will see how it looks on a whole wall.

And presenting the new floor in the guest bedroom. It's beautiful, it took DH and a friend about six hours to do. Our bathroom is done except for the shower rod and a new liner. I think we will need a new shower curtain in the hall bath. I will see when we have finished painting.