tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12994452659791348162024-02-01T23:08:46.616-07:00Wee PleasuresAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-44736172211102879752015-08-20T19:44:00.002-06:002015-08-20T19:44:37.999-06:00AugustHi guys!!<br />
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Elephant in the room...I stopped blogging for a brief period because I felt like I was in a rut and it all felt too routine. There have also been two big technological changes in my everyday life that have hindered my posting: the biggest change being a smart phone with a very good camera that I take almost all my photos with, and the second, using a tablet more than this laptop. Blogging takes effort. Time to "style" the knitting (which for me generally means waiting for the right light and photographing [with a <i>real </i>camera] on my front steps), head space to put a meaningful post together on a laptop, and time to edit. Sometimes it takes me an hour or two for one post, and that feels like a really long time to me. Maybe that's a normal amount of time? I am interested in your thoughts, how you blog, your system. I am definitely not trying to judge or put anybody's blogging style down; everybody is different and I am still trying to figure out what works for me. During the time when I wasn't blogging, I felt a little sad because I like calling myself a blogger and don't want to lose that.<br />
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Ok, enough of that. Knitting. My latest finished object is a pair of socks.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/20091985243/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Huckleberry/June socks for Brie"><img alt="Huckleberry/June socks for Brie" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/672/20091985243_e2ecf5410d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Yarn</b>: Opal Smile<br />
<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm 64 stitches<br />
<b>Pattern</b>: Plain vanilla with a modified Eye of Partridge heel<br />
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Looooooooooooove Opal. Forever. <br />
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And I recently cast on another pair of purple socks:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/20736952382/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Arne and Carlos!!"><img alt="Arne and Carlos!!" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/581/20736952382_92ce92f8e5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This is the Arne and Carlos yarn from Regia!!! I was super excited when I realized my LYS had it! (I purchased three colorways). This colorway is Star Night and it's my favorite. Though this pair is for a friend, I bought enough yarn to knit myself a pair too. I'm knitting a contrast color for the heel (and will also use it for heel and toe); it's white. I absolutely love knitting this yarn; Regia is always great, and Arne & Carlos...duh.<br />
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I made pretty good progress on Scott's Crazy Zauberball socks:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/20736950902/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Scott's crazy zauberball socks"><img alt="Scott's crazy zauberball socks" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/582/20736950902_d99c9939c5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I'm planning to finish them for his birthday in mid-September. The colorway is called Riverbed and I felt it fitting for his outdoorsy self.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/20125343183/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Scott's crazy zauberball socks"><img alt="Scott's crazy zauberball socks" height="375" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/591/20125343183_31077f21b6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Massive sock. Scott decided he didn't want individual tomato cages, so he built one large wooden cage around the entire tomato raised bed. I tell him it works pretty good, but really.... ;) it definitely works well for showing off socks.<br />
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We are gearing up for our summer vacation which is in a few weeks! (after that, I told myself, I can start looking forward to fall stuff; pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, everything cozy) Until then, I'm excited for the Oregon coast, camping, yarn souvenirs, car knitting, and relaxing!!<br />
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I hope everybody has a good Friday and a happy weekend, and thank you so much for reading. xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-22692798207604226622015-08-03T10:11:00.001-06:002015-08-03T10:11:54.551-06:00Hi friends!! Just wanted to say a quick hello! I will hopefully be back this weekend for a regular knitting post :)<br />
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Thanks for reading xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-2981175870600132052015-04-26T21:42:00.000-06:002015-04-26T21:42:01.070-06:00XO socksHi friends! This weekend has been perfect for recuperation, there has been lots of knitting (crochet too, eek!) and reading. Today was especially cozy for staying indoors because it rained and was cloudy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16662140924" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8812/16662140924_1f9be6515e.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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This morning I finished a pair of socks that have been on the needles since February.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17093587299" title="XO / birthday socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="XO / birthday socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7680/17093587299_3c1f42ba2c.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/allons-y-5">Allons-y!!</a> by Jennifer Thomassian<br />
<b>Yarn:</b> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLittleMountYarnCo">The Little Mount Yarn Co</a> in Chocolate Covered Cherry<b> </b><br />
<b>Needles:</b> 2.25 mm<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17279787975" title="XO / birthday socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="XO / birthday socks" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8760/17279787975_1b9366aea0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I follow Madeline of The Little Mount Yarn Co on Instagram, and when she posted a photo of this yarn I snatched it right away! The yarn is gorgeous and was so nice to knit with!!<br />
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The pattern is by another Instagram friend, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/jennifer-thomassian">Jennifer</a>. The X O pattern might be a little lost in the yarn, and it especially doesn't photograph well, but I love the pairing! I love that this pair of socks reminds me of two crafty and inspiring friends :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17093585699" title="XO / birthday socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="XO / birthday socks" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8700/17093585699_984942c798.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I cast on two new pairs, one I will share next time because I'm not very far along yet! A photo of the yarn though:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17092249780" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grass stains!! best colorway name ever by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Grass stains!! best colorway name ever" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8741/17092249780_d87da8db26.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/afinefishyarns">A Fine Fish Yarns</a><u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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and the second pair:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17093582849" title="Stanley Shunpike :) by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Stanley Shunpike :)" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7701/17093582849_9126c45be0.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blueberry-waffle-socks">Blueberry Waffle Socks</a> by Sandy Turner<br />
<b>Yarn:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/brands/knit-and-fiber-creation"> </a></b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/brands/knit-and-fiber-creation">Knit and Fiber Creation</a> in colorway Stanley Shunpike (!!!!!)<br />
<b>Needles: </b>2.25 mm<br />
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This yarn came with a small skein of gray for contrast heels and toes, which I love. I have been seeing a lot of knitters creating contrast heels and I just love it! These pairs by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Mysistersknitter/provence">Andi </a>(she also convinced me to cast on a pair of Blueberry Waffles after a <a href="http://mysistersknitter.typepad.com/my-blog/2015/04/the-best-knitting-intentions.html">recent post</a>) and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/littlebobbins/atlantic-current-socks">Dani</a>, in particular!<br />
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Alright... I've done something recently that I haven't done in years. <br />
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Crochet.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17096836458" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7696/17096836458_9207104cd6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And it's all Dani's fault!!! I mean, just look at <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/littlebobbins/weekender-blanket">her project page.</a><br />
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/weekender-blanket">Weekender Blanket by Sandra Paul</a>. The designer used DK weight, but Dani is using sock scraps so I had to, too :) I love these teeny hexis!!! Utterly addictive. And they join as you go, which is such a time saver.<br />
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I hope everybody has a fabulous week!! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-82325749887938861772015-04-22T08:32:00.000-06:002015-04-22T08:32:06.601-06:00Good morning!Hi friends! I hope you all are having fantastic spring weather! We've been celebrating the season by planting flowers (marigolds, zinnias, gladiolas) and hiking. Maybe it was too early for this area to plant seeds directly outside, but it feels like this weather will last forever!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16543084863" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8817/16543084863_8984e8fb3f.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I finished two pairs of socks recently. The first pair: <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16536246744" title="Gnome Acre socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Gnome Acre socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7638/16536246744_4023d6917a.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: Basic 64 stitch vanilla pattern with modified eye of partridge heel <br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Gnome Acres in colorway Camping with Hippos<br />
<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17132732816" title="Gnome Acre socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Gnome Acre socks" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8764/17132732816_ea80f29b29.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This pair was incredibly enjoyable because the colors are so fun.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16951274297" title="Gnome Acre socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Gnome Acre socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7658/16951274297_f25363550a.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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The second pair was just as fun to knit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16592317334" title="Jaywalkers by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Jaywalkers" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8787/16592317334_5cdd6f2b9b.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern</b>:<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaywalker"> Jaywalkers by Grumperina</a><br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Regia and scrap Crazy Zauberball (for contrast cuff, heel, toe)<br />
<b>Needles</b>: 2.5 mm for the leg and heel, 2.25 mm for the foot and toe<br />
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This pair is crazy!! In the last post I mentioned how I didn't realize I had two different colorways, and therefore two different stripe patterns! <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17027238470" title="Jaywalkers by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Jaywalkers" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7693/17027238470_7b548bf063.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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This is a great pattern and I will knit another pair. If you haven't knit this pattern and are considering it, keep in mind that it makes a tight fabric. I went up <span style="color: #0000ee;"></span>one needle size than what I normally knit socks on.<br />
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Those were pairs six and seven for the year. My goal is eighteen pairs and I think I should be able to reach it without too much trouble :) <br />
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I cast on Meagheen Ryan's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tax-day-mystery-anklet">Tax Day Mystery Anklet</a> on April 15 because I felt it was the perfect treat for having taxes filed. And also because it's a mystery <i>anklet</i>... cute!! I finished the cuff and heel, and am just starting the patterning of the foot. They are going slower than I'd thought; I think it's the needles. The only 2.00 mm I have are Addi Lace needles, and there's something about brass needles I don't like...I'm going to pick up different 2.00 mm needles, and next time I'll share a photo of my anklets! Hopefully they'll be farther along by then. <br />
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Last week I found a<a href="http://www.montanabrewerypassport.com/"> Montana Brewery Passport</a> at a local book store, and we received our first stamp this weekend:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/17019966777" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8785/17019966777_323afc3f45.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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After we hiked, we stopped in Lolo for a beer :) it's funny, the brewery was built about a year ago at the base of the hill Scott grew up on! Missoula has quite a few breweries, we've been to most of them already, but it will be fun to go back and have our passport stamped. And it will be fun to take day trips to out-of-town breweries. What we really need now is an Oregon brewery passport...I think we've visited just as many in Oregon as we have here! (we're planning a trip there for September, eek!!!)<br />
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I hope everybody has a fabulous week! I just realized it's already Wednesday, holy smokes...<br />
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xx<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-59598793472650101852015-03-29T19:20:00.001-06:002015-03-29T19:20:22.761-06:00catch up!!! Oh my.<br />
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Holy Toledo.<br />
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I am so sorry for being absent for so long! It wasn't intentional, but life just got busy.<br />
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And also partly, I usually don't feel like blogging if I don't have nice photos to share. We've been having very typical spring weather; one day it's 60 degrees and sunny, and the next brings clouds and wind! I just wasn't in the photographing mood. But this weekend I've consciously been thinking about this post, and I snatched the opportunity this evening to photograph some finished socks.<br />
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First up, Scott has another pair for his little sock collection. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16971318822" title="Scott's socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's socks" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8751/16971318822_c318da223e.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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<b>Yarn</b>: Knit Picks Hawthorne in Mt. Tabor</div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thuja">Thuja by Bobby Ziegler</a></div>
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<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16352557353" title="Scott's socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16352557353_e72aa22fac.jpg" width="375" /></a> <br />
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Even Scott's socks receive a modified Eye of Partridge heel :) </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16785181260" title="Scott's socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's socks" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8725/16785181260_4228ee236b.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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The second pair I finished:</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16765261837" title="Crazy Zauberball!!! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Crazy Zauberball!!!" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8718/16765261837_8ac8bda2f4.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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a pretty pair of Crazy Zauberball socks for me!</div>
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<b>Yarn</b>: Crazy Zauberball</div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: just a simple 64 stitch vanilla</div>
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<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm </div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16352551983" title="Crazy Zauberball!!! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Crazy Zauberball!!!" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8743/16352551983_837d5c960d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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My friend, Dag, sent me this ball of yarn that she purchased in Germany! I know you can purchase Crazy Zauberball here, but it seems way more special that it was actually bought there, like local yarn :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16350286254" title="Crazy Zauberball!!! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Crazy Zauberball!!!" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7589/16350286254_1238cded55.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And just recently, I finished this pair for March:</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16350292054" title="March socks, Zwerger Garn Opal by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="March socks, Zwerger Garn Opal" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8684/16350292054_9293406798.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Yarn</b>: Zwerger Garn Opal</div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: simple 64 stitch vanilla</div>
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<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm</div>
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This pair totally knit itself!! Of course, it didn't hurt that I was also reading Harry Potter while knitting them!</div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16352559963" title="March socks, Zwerger Garn Opal by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="March socks, Zwerger Garn Opal" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/16352559963_67b8981ec3.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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And the socks in progress:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16956524022" title="So....the second ball of this yarn has way skinnier stripes! #mskstashdownkal by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="So....the second ball of this yarn has way skinnier stripes! #mskstashdownkal" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7635/16956524022_7239e3ba51.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This is my first pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaywalker">Jaywalkers</a>! (Pattern by Grumperina) I am <i>loooooooooving </i>this pattern with self-striping yarn! So much fun! I am also using contrasting yarn for cuff, heel, and toe. BUT look how teeny the stripes are in the second sock! I bought this yarn from a friend's destash, and one ball was a partial and didn't have a ball band. I assumed they were exactly the same yarn because the colors are the same. I would never have thought a yarn company would make two different sized stripe sequences, but that's what it looks like happened. So crazy, huh? But I really like them and will keep going. ....... ok..... the teeny tiny stripes kind of drive me nuts, mainly because they are only TWO rows wide!! It makes me manic! As a pair, I think they will be really cool though.<br />
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And the second pair on the needles:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16350280444" title="Gnome Acres in Camping with Hippos by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Gnome Acres in Camping with Hippos" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8722/16350280444_dd3af7f3c1.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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My first Gnome Acres skein! The colorway is called Camping with Hippos, hehe! I really like how it's pooling. These colors just make me really happy :) (they're a bit more vibrant in person)<br />
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All of these socks were/are knit from "old" stash! I'm trying to knit 2500 yards from stash for My Sister's Knitter Stash Down KAL. The main rule is that the yarn has to have been stashed prior to 2015. So some of this yarn was purchased towards the end of 2014, but some of it has been in my stash for a few years. It always feels fantastic to knit with old stash, to remember why you loved it enough to buy it. Right now, I've knit 1180 yards for the KAL. If I don't make it, that's ok :)<br />
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I've been meaning to post the books I've read so far! I just remembered because I'm currently listening to <i>As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride. </i>Anyone obsessed with the Princess Bride should definitely check out this book! It's mainly narrated by Cary Elwes (swoon) and many more who were involved speak also. It's just.... so good. I love behind-the-scenes and trivia about productions though. I mean, I watched all appendices multiplemultiplemultiple times of the Lord of the Rings films.<br />
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So, books. I will make another 2015 tab at the top of this blog (I did that one year) and list all of the books, but here are some of my favorites so far:<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Yes, Please</i> - Amy Poehler. This was an audio book; it was fabulous listening to her!</li>
<li><i>Stardust </i>and <i>The Ocean at the End of the Lane - </i>Neil Gaiman. You can never ever go wrong with Neil Gaiman; both audio books</li>
<li><i>The Silver Star -</i> Jeannette Walls. I didn't expect to like this one so much, but I really adore it</li>
<li><i>The Girl on the Train - </i>Paula Hawkins. READ this one!!! the hype is real</li>
<li><i>To All the Boys I Loved Before - </i>Jenny Han. A really, really sweet YA book</li>
<li><i>Rules of Prey - </i>John Sandford. Scary thriller! I couldn't put it down</li>
</ul>
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What are your favorite books read in 2015 so far? I would love to know. </div>
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ok!! That's all from me for now! Thank you so so much for reading. It does mean a lot to me. I hope everybody has a wonderful fabulous spectacular week!!! xx</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-90192457695962264012015-02-21T18:32:00.000-07:002015-02-21T18:32:00.567-07:00Germinate WIPHi friends!<br />
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I'm sorry for missing last weekend's post. It was Valentine's Day (<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Happy Valentine's Day!!</i></span>) and the weekend passed way too quickly! Scott and I went out to a movie, the first one in a long time, so that was kind of special. We saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2802144/">Kingsman </a>and it was highly entertaining. I recommend it if you like spy movies, Colin Firth, and a little cheese :) We also had frozen yogurt ♥ and made dinner.<br />
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Scott's gift to me was a gift certificate to a day spa and salon! He thought I might like to try a gel manicure, because I've mentioned it before. Well, I had them done this week, and I absolutely love them!! My biggest problems with nail polish are that it takes forever to dry, it chips much too easily, and it only looks good for a few days. That's too much effort for me! The gel manicure took about one hour from start to finish, and that included cleaning up my cuticles and shaping my nails...which took some time because I don't do much for my hands beside moisturize. My nails were instantly dry thanks to light curing, and they're so shiny!! (seriously, I still can't get over how shiny they are!) It's been three days since the mani and they still look perfect. This is going to be a bad obsession :)<br />
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Ok, knitting. I cast on a new shawl:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15984046753" title="Germinate....LOVING this knit!!! @havirland it appears I'm subconsciously wishing for Halloween too! #iloveagoodwip by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Germinate....LOVING this knit!!! @havirland it appears I'm subconsciously wishing for Halloween too! #iloveagoodwip" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8573/15984046753_38b508b07d.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/germinate-aka-ttl-mystery-shawl-2013">Germinate</a> by Kristen Kapur. It was originally a mystery KAL in 2013 and I fell in love as more Germinates popped up in my Instagram feed. I love the lace and stripes, and the zillions of possible color combos. My sweet friend Denica gifted me the pattern and it's taken me a long to decide on my color scheme. I really wanted to use stash yarn, but most of my fingering weight is heavily variegated or self-striping. In the end I only purchased one skein (orange) and used two from stash :) Green and purple are both Knit Picks Stroll Tonals and orange is Ella Rae Lace Merino.<br />
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When I was at the LYS I saw some beautiful sport weight (Frog Tree Pediboo), which would have made the ultimate squooshy shawl, but it would have cost over $80 for all the yardage. I almost justified it because my birthday is coming up, but I think in the end, I would have felt crummy for breaking my self-imposed-not-strictly-enforced yarn diet. And you know what? I feel great with my colors and am really glad I didn't splurge on yarn :)<br />
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I also cast on a new pair of socks:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16511190885" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/16511190885_a01b83e627.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The yarn is Crazy Zauberball from my dear friend, Dag! I love this purple colorway! This is my third pair of socks on the needles.... I just needed a vanilla one to take on errands! And it's shown me that I really do knit a lot while on the go, because I'm already on the heel (and I knit a seven inch leg). I tried knitting and reading a "real" book...it was hard! No matter what I do, the book won't stay open. If you're interested, I'm reading <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13486632-the-hundred-year-old-man-who-climbed-out-of-the-window-and-disappeared">The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared</a>. It is really kooky. Which is just up my alley :) The book jumps in time from current day, back to periods in the main character's life. It builds his character, but really, I think a lot of it should have been edited out. I think the present day storyline is funny enough to have held the book. We'll see how it evolves, I'm about halfway through.<br />
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If you've seen my Rav page for these socks, you'll see that I've named them All About that Space socks. That came from a really funny parody of Megan Trainor's song, All About that Bass.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kHy08ZPav88" width="560"></iframe><br />
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hehe :)<br />
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That's about it from me. This kitten cracks me up:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16343562079" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/16343562079_40e694b4ab.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div>
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He is so content laying in sun rays. But he totally zones out when he lays there!<br />
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I hope everybody has a fabulous weekend! Stay warm!!<br />
Jesse<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-8781238548806932742015-02-08T11:18:00.002-07:002015-02-08T11:18:40.812-07:00a post in which I get all the knits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16472585771" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Peppermint Trees by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Peppermint Trees" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/16472585771_bf34b5f1f3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Happy Weekend, friends! It has been a good weekend for recharge and knitting.<br />
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I finished the Evergreen socks:<br />
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<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evergreen-socks">Evergreen Socks </a>by Madeline Gannon<br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Cakewalk Yarns Footsie in Peppermint Bark, which is sadly discontinued<br />
<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm<br />
<b>Modifications</b>: I added a little length between finishing the chart and starting the heel, only because I like longer socks!<br />
This is my second finished pair this year! I am aiming for 18 pairs. <br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16286615988" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Peppermint Trees by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Peppermint Trees" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/16286615988_89d56a11aa.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modified eye of partridge heel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16474314115" title="Peppermint Trees by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Peppermint Trees" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/16474314115_282299d4da.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The pattern is very well written and includes both charts and written instructions for the lace trees, making it an excellent pattern for knitters new to lace and/or charts. I remember the first time I knit from a chart, I also used the written directions to double check that I was reading the chart keys correctly. It was very helpful and gave me confidence in chart reading (when I got it right, ha!)<br />
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Cakewalk Yarns is such a pleasure to knit with. It <i>is</i> sad the dyer is no longer dyeing yarn, but there are hundreds of indie dyers producing yarn everyday that deserve their work to be celebrated too.<br />
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I also finished a hat! For me!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16472589591" title="February Hat by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="February Hat" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/16472589591_89dccdc158.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brier-toque">Brier Toque</a> by Cecily Glowik MacDonald<br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Liberty's Yarn Sockingbird (also another discontinued yarn) in Montol<br />
<b>Needles</b>: US 2.5 for brim and US 5 for body<br />
Feb 1-Feb 7<br />
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I've owned this book for at least two years, I enthusiastically marked patterns I <i>must</i> knit, and yet this is the first hat I've knit from it. Story of my life! All of the patterns in Weekend Hats are beautiful and I'd really love to knit more of them...maybe even one a month?? <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16468146931" title="It needs a good blocking but my February hat is finished! Pattern is Brier Toque. #mskstashdownkal by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="It needs a good blocking but my February hat is finished! Pattern is Brier Toque. #mskstashdownkal" height="400" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/16468146931_4833b39171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This hat is my first entry for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/mysistersknitter-kal-cal">My Sister's Knitter Stash Down KAL</a>! Yahoo!! It feels awesome to have used stash and also knit myself a hat that I love. <br />
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It's a beautifully mindless knit. I cast on February 1st and finished last night. At one point when I had knit about three inches and was b o r e d to d e a t h of the vanillaness of it and wondering what the heck I got myself into, I opened a book. Sometimes vanilla knitting and watching tv is honestly not stimulating enough and I will get tired of knitting. But there's something different about reading and knitting that makes me want to knit and read and knit and read forever.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16286893420" title="February Hat by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="February Hat" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/16286893420_5effe6bb04.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I knit to the pattern, so the hat is ten inches from cast on edge to start of decreases. It does make for a long hat. Several Ravelers noted in their project pages that they just knit to eight inches. I might do the same when I knit this toque again. The pattern calls for Crazy Zauberball, and I'd really love to have a Crazy Zauberball hat :)<br />
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I cast on my Valentine's Day/Birthday socks!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16472581001" title="XO / birthday socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="XO / birthday socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/16472581001_4535d79c78.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div>
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/allons-y-5">Allons-y!!!</a> by Jennifer Thomassian and yarn is by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLittleMountYarnCo?ref=si_shop">The Little Mount Yarn Co</a> in Chocolate Covered Cherry. <br />
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I loooooooove these socks.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16288419197" title="XO / birthday socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="XO / birthday socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/16288419197_7d69365fa9.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I've knit almost exclusively on this sock and the February hat this week. Scott's socks have the beginning of a heel flap but it's almost impossible to pick them up when I have this lovely pink one on the needles too. It's like choosing between a bag of Skittles and boiled Swiss Chard... Duh.<br />
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It rained all week but today the sun is out!! I am going to take a walk while I can :) I hope everybody has a beautiful Sunday and a fabulous week xx Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-55129879982499922642015-01-31T17:08:00.003-07:002015-01-31T17:08:48.548-07:00socks and KALsHi friends! I hope everybody has been enjoying their weekend so far. Thank you for your reading recommendations in last post! I might be out of my reading slump! I finished Stardust and am close to finishing The Night Circus. And I have several other books lined up :) I also read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell-ebook/dp/B008SAZHLQ/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422748339&sr=1-1&keywords=eleanor+and+park">Eleanor and Park</a> by Rainbow Rowell -- which I think everyone has read but me, and I am still obsessed with it. Going to start Fan Girl soon :)<br />
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I made a bit of progress on Scott's socks:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16387553626" title="Scott's socks: Thuja in KP Hawthorne Mt. Tabor by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's socks: Thuja in KP Hawthorne Mt. Tabor" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/16387553626_5cbfffaa76.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I am not in love with these socks. I am not wild about the pooling. I am not crazy about the color. But the more I knit, the more I kind of like them. This is about five and a half inches, and I am not ripping it out! The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thuja">Thuja </a>and the yarn is Knit Picks Hawthorne in Mount Tabor colorway. <br />
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This is my first two at a time pair in a long time. Every once in awhile I stop and think, wow, this is taking forever! But then I look at the socks and I remember there are two, and then it feels fast :)<br />
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These are my first entry for My Sister's Knitter <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/mysistersknitter-kal-cal/3102670/1-25">Stash Down KAL</a>! It's not the oldest yarn I have but it counts! This is going to sound ridiculous, but my goal for this stash down KAL is to knit 2500 yards !!! It would feel good to knit that much stash yarn.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16387542066" title="Evergreen socks in Cakewalk Peppermint Bark by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Evergreen socks in Cakewalk Peppermint Bark" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/16387542066_fee63ac635.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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These Evergreen socks are getting so close! Just a few more inches before I start toe decreases. I'm going to try and finish them during the Superbowl tomorrow! Gah, I hope it's a good game and not like last year! I'll be cheering with <a href="http://calendarscarfkal20092010.blogspot.com/">Melissa </a>and the Seahawks!!! woooo!<br />
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My February socks are planned. I received this super pretty skein from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheLittleMountYarnCo?ref=search_shop_redirect">The Little Mount Yarn Co</a> this week and it's having a hard time staying skeined: <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15793486113" title="The Little Mount Yarn Co in Chocolate Covered Cherry ! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="The Little Mount Yarn Co in Chocolate Covered Cherry !" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/15793486113_a6cdb149e7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16225868478" title="The Little Mount Yarn Co in Chocolate Covered Cherry ! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="The Little Mount Yarn Co in Chocolate Covered Cherry !" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/16225868478_98e26d3c33.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The pattern I'll use is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/allons-y-5">Allons-y!!!</a> by Jennifer Thomassian because it has x and o cables. I have no idea what/who/where allons-y is, except that it's Dr. Who related ! Please don't hold that against me!! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16226115460" title="The Little Mount Yarn Co in Chocolate Covered Cherry ! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="The Little Mount Yarn Co in Chocolate Covered Cherry !" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/16226115460_6aa29eff09.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I also chose yarn for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/mysistersknitter-kal-cal/3101021/1-25#25">My Personal Mystery Sock Yarn Club 2015</a>! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16413531995" title="Personal Sock Yarn KAL by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Personal Sock Yarn KAL" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/16413531995_d3551c9be0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I went through my stash and pulled out skeins that I really want to knit this year. One was gifted to me. Two of them I won in contests! One started out as a shawl but was frogged later. My stash got a little out of control during 2014, where I was buying yarn left and right without any reason except that it was pretty and I loved it. Which is a good excuse!! But it left me with a lot of lovely yarn that have no project plans. They are all special, and all of them deserve to be knit up. <br />
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Like, can you believe this skein is still not socks???<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16227619067" title="Personal Sock Yarn KAL by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Personal Sock Yarn KAL" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/16227619067_596496c367.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It's going to be knit up while I finish rereading the HP series. Last year I left off on book five (is he even in that one??) <br />
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I'm still planning on knitting other sock yarn (obviously...I just bought Valentine yarn, bwahah). But it's my goal that each of these skeins be knit by the end of 2015!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15793491293" title="Personal Sock Yarn KAL by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Personal Sock Yarn KAL" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/15793491293_3a94b61746.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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That's it for me! Hopefully next time I'll have some finished socks to show! Happy weekend! xx Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-36663336978462395542015-01-23T22:30:00.000-07:002015-01-23T22:30:28.934-07:00Socks FO and book chatI'm spending this Friday night listening to Taylor Swift's 1989 (thanks Shari!) and writing a blog post... so wild :)<br />
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I want to share my first finished object for the year!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15722092923" title="Christmas socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas socks" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/15722092923_04c2a7a8f1.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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These were my Christmas socks I started in December. Even though they were started last year, I still count them towards my 2015 sock and yardage totals.<br />
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The pattern is a simple 64 stitch vanilla sock, with modified eye of partridge heel. The yarn is Red Heart and Sole in the Christmas colorway. I saw a blogger knit a pair in this colorway years ago, and ever since then, I've wanted to knit a pair too! I haven't worn them yet, but I think the yarn will hold up pretty well.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16316075306" title="Christmas socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas socks" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/16316075306_73c4215e18.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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These little stripes make me happy :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16154429328" title="Christmas socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas socks" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/16154429328_b38b52bb98.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16340270791" title="Christmas socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas socks" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/16340270791_9db673e850.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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My knitting goals this year are not really finalized yet, they might not ever be! I would like to knit eighteen pairs. I'd like one of those pairs to be my first Fair Isle pair! And like last year, I'm going to try and knit more from stash and from my library. (I'm not <i>ever</i> going to try a "stash diet" again because that totally had the opposite effect!!)<br />
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Last post I mentioned I was having a hard time finding interest in casting on new projects. Maybe it was more of a drive to finish WIPs and feeling weird about having a bunch of new projects at the start of the year. I mean, you don't get much more of clean slate than January 1st. Anyway, I did cast on something new! They're socks for Scott; I'll post a picture next time. They're not very far along!<br />
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There's been more Mrs. Weasley's knitting; it's living in my new bag from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/lovesockwool?ref=search_shop_redirect">Love Sock Wool</a>:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15668439103" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="My unicorn bag from @lovesockwool arrived today!! It is gorgeous, Sara, thank you so much! 💕 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="My unicorn bag from @lovesockwool arrived today!! It is gorgeous, Sara, thank you so much! 💕" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/15668439103_8ba92c8b83.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I <i>loooooooooooooove it!" </i>is an understatement!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
So I have also been having a hard time getting into books lately, it seems. I'm about one third of the way through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Fifteen-Lives-Harry-August/dp/0316399620/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422075372&sr=1-1&keywords=the+first+fifteen+lives+of+harry+august">The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August</a> and I just have a hard time with it. It involves time travel and lots and lots of philosophy; I really dislike philosophy. It's just not my cup of tea. My dilemma is there are parts in the book that I absolutely love, the dialogue, the prose, the characters, are all excellent. It's just the other part. And I think the deeper in the book I read, the more prominent philosophy and that type of writing will become. Ugh. I put it on hold to start <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sure-Signs-Crazy-Karen-Harrington/dp/0316210498/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422075704&sr=1-1&keywords=sure+signs+of+crazy">Sure Signs of Crazy</a>, which was on sale and seemed like it could be a sweet bildungsroman...... I just can't. It was discouraging to give up on two books, one after the other. I want to love everything I read, but it's also good to know when to stop a book that just isn't doing it for me.<br />
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<br />
I decided to purchase a few audiobooks that I've previously read and loved, but never listened to. <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Stardust-Audiobook/B0035GXQPC/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1422076300&sr=1-1">Stardust </a>and <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The-Night-Circus-Audiobook/B005HIR9VI/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1422076270&sr=1-1">The Night Circus</a> are going to get me through this slump! Stardust is written and narrated by Neil Gaiman, who is probably my favorite author. He is such a masterful storyteller, and it's the ultimate treat to hear his work. I used to buy his books because his words on the page are something to savor, but to hear him read...... just outstanding. And The Night Circus is a magical story, and read by Jim Dale, whom I adore! (Have you listened to his Harry Potter performances?!)<br />
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What are your favorite reads? or audiobooks? Are there books you read and reread when you don't know what else to read? <br />
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<br />
I wish everybody a very happy weekend!!<br />
<br />
Jesse xx<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-37336957096414077682015-01-11T14:40:00.001-07:002015-01-11T14:40:42.319-07:00Happy 2015Hi friends! I hope the new year finds you well. My new year started with some gorgeous handdyed yarn from Desert Vista Dyeworks:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16069722740" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="P1060418 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060418" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/16069722740_9ea1efcf4d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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Oooh!! The colorways are Zombody Lavender Decomp, You're a Mean One, and Zombody's Bobbin for Apples ♥ I can't wait to knit these into socks! I lust over the pairs I see on Instagram...can't wait!<br />
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Knitting after Christmas is kind of weird. I feel that I should be knitting for someone, and the prospect of casting on something new is daunting. Does anyone else feel this way? Right now I'm just focused on two pairs of lingering Christmas socks and both mitered square blankets.<br />
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I have <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evergreen-socks">Evergreen socks </a>by Madeline Gannon on the needles. I finished one sock and just need to cast on the second. I'm using a very special skein of Cakewalk in Peppermint Bark:
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16069567108" title="P1060406 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060406" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7526/16069567108_bb0dc98ce2.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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This is a super pattern. The small amount of lace is nice because it adds just enough to a simple sock and it's just the right amount for this yarn, which could definitely distract from the pattern were it an all-over pattern.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16257091395" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1060409 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060409" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/16257091395_4043199e7e.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these little trees! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And the second pair is a vanilla sock with Red Heart and Sole in colorway Christmas:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16069569568" title="P1060402 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060402" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/16069569568_5d31622edf.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I've always wanted to knit this colorway since seeing socks on someone's blog years ago... but then I couldn't find the yarn anymore. Just this year the local Joanns had it and I nabbed two skeins. It's a very nice, inexpensive yarn, and I feel that it will hold up well. It feels silly to still be knitting Christmas socks! Ah oh well!<br />
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I finished Sugar Plum Fairies awhile ago!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16256278352" title="P1060368 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060368" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/16256278352_66c2738740.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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Gaaaah! I love these socks so much!!! The yarn is handdyed by Lyani Yarns in Sugarplum Fairy colorway...with glitz!!! (which you can't really see in the photos..)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16231194666" title="P1060372 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060372" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/16231194666_f4957064a8.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
Modified Eye of Partridge is still my favorite heel<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15637221023" title="P1060364 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060364" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/15637221023_3dc5736290.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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They are so, so, SO pretty. And the socks are cushy and boingy. I wore them as inside socks for about a week, that's how nice they are ♥<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16256277432" title="P1060370 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060370" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/16256277432_386e108ed0.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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A progress photo of Mrs. Weasley's blanket:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16071242077" title="Mrs. Weasley's by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Mrs. Weasley's" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/16071242077_025be40afd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I'm getting there! This is the fourth quadrant; just four more rows after this then I'll seam the quadrants together and knit a border! I haven't really decided on how I'll knit the border. I might follow the directions from Hue Shift Afghan, or maybe i-cord. <br />
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Alright!! Hope everyone has a wonderful week! xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-48572588714823607832014-12-27T19:56:00.000-07:002014-12-27T19:56:14.135-07:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Happy Holidays, my friends!! I hope you are all well. <br />
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What a busy month! I am very pleased to say that I managed to finish everything that I planned on making and baking. And I say these two things every year too: 1. I'm not going to make gifts anymore and 2. I'm going to start making them earlier. haha! The gifts were all well received and that made me feel very good. Makes all that knitting worth it! The two major items I knit:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16105612535" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/16105612535_7f536f205c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Mom and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/antarktis">Antarktis</a><br />
Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne in Alameda (the pattern calls for just one skein, but since Hawthorne has 357 yards per skein, I dipped into a second skein...but overall used 418 yards)<br />
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This pattern was gifted to me by the so sweet <a href="http://mysistersknitter.typepad.com/">Andi</a>. I really enjoyed knitting this shawl, and would love to knit myself one! I really love the garter sections paired with lace. And after blocking, the shawl grew and has such a lovely drape! <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15919553069" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15919553069_2b6a660d6d.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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Aunt Karla and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nurmilintu">Nurmilintu </a><br />
Yarn: Madelinetosh Merino Light in Black Velvet (used about 377 yards)<br />
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This is another shawl I would love to knit myself! The lace sections tripped me up at first. This also has garter + lace ...hmm, I see a theme! I really like this shawl!! very pretty<br />
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I have been very busy at work. My co-worker has been on vacation since last Monday, until this coming Tuesday, so I have been working full days to cover her. Today was the first day I was able to pleasure knit!! Dani of <a href="http://www.littlebobbins.co.uk/">Little Bobbins blog and podcast</a> started a Christmas Eve Socks KAL and I've been so eager to cast on!! I decided to use Cakewalk Yarns in Peppermint Bark to knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evergreen-socks">Madeline Gannon's Evergreen Socks</a>. (The designer is also going to have an Evergreen Socks KAL on Instagram if you're interested!)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/16124221365" title="My yarn and project bag for #lbkchristmasevesocks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="My yarn and project bag for #lbkchristmasevesocks" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/16124221365_93df8dd2d9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
oh! I finished this little guy:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15346368664" title="⛄️❄️ #giftknitting by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="⛄️❄️ #giftknitting" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/15346368664_c339af096f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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little cutie :) he went to live with a friend in Canada :)<br />
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I also finished the Sugarplum Fairies socks, but I'll post about them next time! My sock total for the year is 24 pairs! Pretty happy about that!<br />
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Are you curious about how Berny and Bruce have been doing?? ;) It seemed like after that horrible week of thinking Bruce had feline leukemia and then hearing the good news, everything would be ok. And it is, sort of. Bruce has since met Berny. They are still adjusting to one another, Berny more so than Bruce. When we first met Bruce, he was so quiet and timid, we thought he would get along with Berny perfectly. As he's grown, his personality has emerged and he's one wild kitten! Very extroverted, LOVES stimulation of all kinds, and is incredibly food motivated (he actually gained too much weight and the vet said he was fat!! oh the horror!! We've been feeding him by dispersing his food in a muffin tin and it slows him down. Has worked wonders!). Berny is basically the complete opposite. She's also gotten accustomed to sleeping all day... <br />
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I was able to take this picture one day:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15414763704" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/15414763704_a5cd4889e9.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">If I d<span style="color: #0000ee;">on't have a chance to write again before <span style="color: #0000ee;">2015, Happy New Year!! Thank you all so <span style="color: #0000ee;">very much for reading my blog<span style="color: #0000ee;">, it <span style="color: #0000ee;">means an incredible amount to me. <span style="color: #0000ee;">May the new year bring you happiness, health, and many good times.<span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Love,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Jesse </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-79714296753845364282014-12-03T10:19:00.000-07:002014-12-03T10:19:19.041-07:00Bruce! Hi friends, <br />
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I just wanted to post a quick update on Bruce! Thanks for all of your thoughts and well wishes, we received his test results back, and they were negative ! ! ! yahooo! <br />
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<br />xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-76900283383719562162014-11-30T17:20:00.000-07:002014-11-30T17:20:16.821-07:00socks and a shawlHello lovely friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent it with our families over two days, ate <i>lots </i>of yummy food, and just felt thankful. Oh, and we also gave our attention to this little monkey:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15888887345" title="Bruce by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bruce" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7552/15888887345_b916482e8f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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His name is Bruce and he is the newest member of our family. We adopted him last Saturday because he just melted us. When I picked him up it was instant and nonstop purring ♥ unfortunately, at his vet visit he tested positive for feline leukemia, which he could pass to Berny. I am thankful my bosses are also my vets as I've been able to ask them all my questions. They recommended sending a further blood test out to a lab to double check. Sometimes the in-house snap tests can give false positives. So that is what I'm praying for. The results should be back anytime this week or next...<br />
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Anyway. I am trying to stay positive and accept the results whatever they are, but it is hard. I have been pretty depressed about it. Thanks for listening xx<br />
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<br />
Well, I have been knitting a lot. I've finished some socks:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15588839887" title="Fall socks are finished🍂 they don't seem quite so appropriate now that it's snowed though... These are off to their new home! Pair 21 #socksforfriends by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Fall socks are finished🍂 they don't seem quite so appropriate now that it's snowed though... These are off to their new home! Pair 21 #socksforfriends" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8557/15588839887_5001e1c2aa.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Yarn</b>: Knit Picks Felici in Maple Leaves<br />
<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm<br />
<b>Pattern</b>: 64 stitch vanilla with Fish Lips Kiss Heel<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15677099577" title="Heather's Yule socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Heather's Yule socks" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/15677099577_0ff6a3fb0a.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Liberty's Yarn Jabbersocky in Yule<br />
<b>Needles</b>: 2.25 mm<br />
<b>Pattern</b>: Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder<br />
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Pair 22! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15675535090" title="Heather's Yule socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Heather's Yule socks" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/15675535090_1028832dfe.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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This pair was part of a swap with an Instagram friend :) I love knitting socks for friends!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15676854019" title="Heather's Yule socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Heather's Yule socks" height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/15676854019_e26c5feaf2.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I also love the modified eye of partridge heel! It always looks so pretty.<br />
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Um....then I had NO socks on the needles! It was really weird! So I started my Christmas socks:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15683113548" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Hey @knitsomniacdesigns and @lynaiyarns 👋I started my Christmas socks! #operationsockdrawer by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Hey @knitsomniacdesigns and @lynaiyarns 👋I started my Christmas socks! #operationsockdrawer" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/15683113548_abb1631695.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">progress of first sock<u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15917290852" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sugar plum fairies by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Sugar plum fairies" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/15917290852_775729057c.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but now I'm on the second :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br />
It's Lynai Yarns in Sugarplum Fairy -- how pretty is this yarn?! It's hard to see, but there are sparkles :) very magical <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15732203357" title="Sugar plum fairies by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Sugar plum fairies" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/15732203357_9563b06663.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
I cast on 60 stitches and am knitting (of course) a modified eye of partridge heel :) sooo pretty. I am just turning the second heel now. These will definitely be finished before Christmas, so I might cast on another pair of Christmas socks .... :) I have another Christmassy yarn that I'd like to knit.<br />
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Oh!<br />
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Look at this bag from Dag:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15730630840" title="Sugar plum fairies by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Sugar plum fairies" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/15730630840_b10c484122.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
Grinch inside fabric! Too cute, I love it :) And it's holding my Sugarplum Fairies socks of course :)<br />
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This weekend I knit all the way to the last lace repeat of Nurmilintu:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15730477088" title="Nurmilintu by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Nurmilintu" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15730477088_8459918d96.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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This whole time I've been pretty nervous about running out of yarn, but now that I'm at the last section, I am sure I will have enough. I really like this pattern and will knit it again. The first lace section was difficult because I kept getting off count. But by the second lace repeat, it felt much easier and quicker.<br />
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I still need total silence for the lace parts though!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15917288432" title="Nurmilintu by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Nurmilintu" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/15917288432_c77333bcc3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Garter squish *lace* garter squish<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15732197407" title="Nurmilintu by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Nurmilintu" height="375" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8579/15732197407_6a9d68c13a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm knitting it in Madelinetosh Merino Light in Black Velvet... so pretty<br />
<br />
<br />
Those are the projects that I've been working on the most these past few weeks. What have you been up to? I hope everyone has a happy week; stay warm xxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-12623293762738544272014-11-01T16:46:00.002-06:002014-11-01T16:46:48.707-06:00Happy NovemberNovember 1st! I always like the first day of a new month. I like the literal turning of the calendar, and the idea of a whole month to look forward to is hopeful. I wish the months wouldn't go by so quickly though!<br />
<br />
Let's see... since that last time I blogged, I finished the Patronus socks:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15500201090" title="Patronus Socks! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus Socks!" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/15500201090_9bcf502884.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blender-socks">Blender Socks by Heather Sebastian</a> <b> </b><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> Knit Picks Hawthorne, sampler pack of all the colorways<br />
<b>Needles:</b> 2.25 mm 40" circular (magic loop)<br />
<br />
This is my 20th pair this year!!!! I met my goal and will hopefully finish a few more pairs before 2015! <br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15685012385" title="Patronus Socks! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus Socks!" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15685012385_35d6f7c3cd.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I used the Fish Lips Kiss Heel and knit the socks one at a time. I love them!! The colors are amazing and the yarn feels durable yet squishy. For the second sock I only juggled three colors once; I mainly stuck with alternating just two colors and it worked sooo much better. There was less, well, juggling :) <br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15685016705" title="Patronus Socks! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus Socks!" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15685016705_b233cd23f4.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15685010625" title="Patronus Socks! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus Socks!" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15685010625_e73c26fd29.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And I have a half-finished object:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15661299276" title="Just Thumbkin mitten by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Just Thumbkin mitten" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15661299276_8b26359c85.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.littlebobbins.co.uk/">Dani </a>of the Little Bobbins podcast started a mitten KAL that I couldn't pass up. The pattern I chose is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/just-thumbkin">Just Thumb</a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/just-thumbkin">kin by Diane Lyles</a>. It's a basic mitten pattern that has instructions for three sizes. This is the smallest size, and it's a bit narrow on the hand, even for me. I might have to keep them :) <u></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Progress was made on the following projects:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15481623219" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3941/15481623219_b90bc4eb2e.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall Socks </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15499618938" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Heather's Yule Socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Heather's Yule Socks" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15499618938_b57ff6e373.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yule Socks for Heather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15065643383" title="Nurmilintu by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Nurmilintu" height="500" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/15065643383_9275e1649e.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
And Nurmilintu -- I made it past the first lace section! (though it's pretty hard to tell in the photo).<br />
<br />
It's been so cold here! The mornings are usually in the low 30s and the highs during the day only reach about 50-60 degrees. Part of me is happy because I've been wearing handknit socks and shawls everyday, but the other part is dreading winter!! I opened my sock drawer and there's a huge gap of missing socks!! (I have about two weeks of unwashed handknit socks waiting for a soak...) <br />
<br />
I hope everyone has a fabulous and warm weekend :) xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-57099467376828573882014-10-17T11:09:00.002-06:002014-10-17T11:11:01.478-06:00Hello, hello, hello!!!<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15322306797" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15322306797_15dea1e179_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Fall!!</div>
<br />
Last weekend I had the good fortune to have Friday off and we spent the time out of town. In Spokane, Washington to be exact. It is only about three hours away; far enough to feel like you're getting away but close enough that you're not driving all day! I also like the time change :)<br />
<br />
We truly did not do much while in Spokane, which was awesome. On Saturday, we walked around Riverfront Park. It was so beautifu<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">l</span>. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15322154190" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15322154190_4abc542468.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A lot of the attractions were closed for the season, but we were able to take the Sky Ride...a gondola over the falls.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15371588510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="spokane weekend '14 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="spokane weekend '14" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15371588510_919475b0f1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top left clockwise: 1. Pavilion skeleton 2. LUNCH! 3. Scott on the Sky Ride 4. The view of the falls from the Sky Ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
I was able to knit a lot too :) I brought three projects (because that's what we knitters do...way over pack in case of emergency!) but mainly worked on a new sock that I'm calling Patronus:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15513059631" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="sock knitting and this book by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="sock knitting and this book" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15513059631_9714dc67ee.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and yes, I loved Throne of Glass!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br />
The yarn is Knit Picks Hawthorne and I'm using all of the colorways. When the yarn first came out, I had joined a co-op on Ravelry to receive a small sampling of the colors. It was really difficult to think of a pattern because I wanted to use all of the colorways. The balls are only about 4.5 grams, so just a little shy of what I need for my sock yarn blanket's squares. I decided on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blender-socks">Blender Socks</a> by Heather Sebastian. Here is where I'm at on them:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15556981205" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Patronus socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus socks" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15556981205_121715ef37.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One finished!<u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
It's a really fun knit! Sometimes I use two colors and alternate rows by
carrying the unused yarn up, and sometimes I juggle three colors. I
think three colors makes a more blended appearance, but it's a pain to
keep everything untangled! I admit that the OCD part of me hates this
project because the rows are pretty much random. Sometimes I will plan
it, like once I knit an inverse set: 1 row C1, 3 rows C2, 2 rows C1, 2
rows C2, 3 rows C1, 1 row C2. But for the most part I just grab a strand
and knit it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14936801503" title="Patronus socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus socks" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/14936801503_eb587e8b88.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I used a Fish Lips Kiss Heel in one solid color.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15371342160" title="Patronus socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Patronus socks" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/15371342160_22b071ff38.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<br />
Even though each yarn is carried up, there are still a lot of ends to weave in! I think there are twenty colorways, so each sock will have ten different colors...and twenty ends. Towards the end I started using a Russian join...I think the second sock will have many more Russian joins! (don't know what I was thinking)<br />
<br />
<br />
I also finished each sock from last post, Fall and the Crazy Zauberball:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15370371419" title="P1060190 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060190" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15370371419_88f6a96d90.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15557836252" title="P1060189 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060189" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15557836252_9749471091.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
Fall Socks received a FLK heel...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15370376219" title="P1060187 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060187" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3928/15370376219_2eb3631b9f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
while Crazy Zauberball received an afterthought heel. Now to finish their mates. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and I finished Brie's socks!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15458362541" title="A black and white photo of @littlecreatable's socks!!! Pattern is Faux Cables by Jen Lucas. Just need to find some treats to send with and then it will be mailed, Brie!!! It's killing me that I can't share the color!!!! Pair 18/20 #socksforfriends by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="A black and white photo of @littlecreatable's socks!!! Pattern is Faux Cables by Jen Lucas. Just need to find some treats to send with and then it will be mailed, Brie!!! It's killing me that I can't share the color!!!! Pair 18/20 #socksforfriends" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/15458362541_fdfb48df39.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm <i>dying </i>to show off the super amazing color, but I'm going to wait until she receives them. The pattern is Faux Cables by Jen Lucas. I've knit them once before, exactly per pattern, but this time I continued the faux cable pattern onto the back of the leg. I thought Brie might like that better.<br />
<br />
I think I mentioned last time that Brie and I have been making hand knits for each other. I already received the item she knit me and I absolutely love it!!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15263645679" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="400" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15263645679_4e0f95569a.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what pattern it is, but it has such amazing texture and patterning! It's been cool enough to wear it already :)<br />
<br />
<br />
This past week I knit a lot on <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nurmilintu">Nurmilint</a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nurmilintu">u </a>by Heidi Alander. I'm using Madelinetosh Merino Light in Black Velvet that I purchased while on summer vacation.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15533276206" title="Nurmiluntu shawl by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Nurmiluntu shawl" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15533276206_af1aacbd37.jpg" width="375" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
I am just about to start the first lace portion!! And I've ordered some yarn to make one for my mom :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That is it from me.<br />
<br />
Happy Friday!!! I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend that includes plenty of knitting x<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">Jesse </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-38447651418329321282014-09-28T21:57:00.000-06:002014-09-28T21:57:22.068-06:00weekend thingsIt's so hard to believe that another weekend has passed, and that another month is almost over! We had a few days last week that were in the high 80s-low 90s, and that did not feel very fall-like. But this weekend has been chilly and damp, and with the changing leaves, it's beginning to feel very much like autumn. So much so that I had to cast on some fall socks:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15362316786" title="P1060145 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060145" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/15362316786_362766ba2c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
The yarn is from Knit Picks Felici in the colorway Maple Leaves<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15198572809" title="P1060147 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060147" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/15198572809_5ddf39af60.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I wound each skein into pretty little balls that Susan B. Anderson calls <a href="http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2014/06/how-to-make-your-own-everlasting.html">Everlasting Gobstopper Yarn Balls</a>. It was fun to do! and I think they look really cute :)<br />
<br />
<br />
I've knit a lot on Brie's socks. The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/faux-cable-socks">Faux Cable Socks by Jen Lucas</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15198738068" title="P1060141 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060141" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/15198738068_75d31ecd6f.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
This is our second swap together! I'm keeping the photo in black and white so something will remain a mystery for her (I am really bad at keeping secrets!) :) it's so much fun knitting and putting together a package for a knitting friend! and it's equally fun to wear hand knit items from a friend; I cherish them.<br />
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<br />
This sock was finished during the weekend:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15198730038" title="P1060144 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060144" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/15198730038_95b06d0c1d.jpg" width="375" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
it's Crazy Zauberball in colorway 1701 Parrot. I decided to use an afterthought heel in order to not disrupt the color flow. My last pair of Crazy Zauberballs has a distinct line where the colors change after the heel, and it kind of drives me nuts! I got the idea from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/littlebobbins/fish-lips-kiss-heel-7">Dani</a> after she knit a pair of Crazy Zauberball socks the same way.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15382147691" title="P1060142 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060142" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/15382147691_f3e82c1351.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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This pair is part of another knitting swap! :)<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15362321556" title="P1060143 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060143" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/15362321556_e1c276322b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
and probably the most exciting thing that I finished is a super duper old WIP!<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15198747968" title="Round Ripple by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Round Ripple" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15198747968_c371b06660.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
Uhhhh, I started it in December 2011... haha!! It's been through at least one house move, saw me graduate from college, and it became insanely jealous when I abandoned it to learn how to knit! <br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15198777488" title="Round Ripple by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Round Ripple" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/15198777488_f167de9827.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />
Its purpose was to use up acrylic remnants because I had so. much. acrylic! Picking it up again after years of not crocheting was interesting, but it all came back to me pretty quickly. I am glad the pattern is simple! (it's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lyns-round-ripple-baby-afghan">Lyn's Round Ripple</a>). Ultimately I only added about five rounds before deciding it was finished because I had had enough! I would say it's an oversized lapghan, if such a thing exists :) I am going to gift it to my aunt for Christmas and I think she will like it.<br />
<br />
And the rest of the acrylic is going to be donated.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has a great week! xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-38563769932686475552014-09-13T09:06:00.003-06:002014-09-13T09:06:38.588-06:00Socks FO sho!Happy weekend, friends!<br />
<br />
I'm sipping a cup of coffee on the couch while I write this, Scott is playing his new game, Destiny, and Berny is snuggled between us. Today is his birthday! He's planned a game of golf and lunch with his parents, but I think if he could have it his way, he'd continue on playing Destiny all day ;) He is hooked. (I'll join them for lunch but not golf, because I don't play hehe)<br />
<br />
I have finished two pairs of socks recently. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15138434135" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/15138434135_bda75c07ce.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>Pattern: </b>64 stitch vanilla pattern with modified Eye of Partridge heel - OAAT<br />
<b>Yarn: </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stash/search#colorway=2104+Wintergeist&photo=yes&yarn-link=zwerger-garn-opal-hundertwasser">Zwerger Garn Opal Hundertwasser in Wintergeist </a><b> </b><br />
<b>Needles: </b>2.25 mm Hiya Hiya Sharps (looove) 32" circular<br />
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I knit on these a lot during our recent vacation, and then they were purse socks after that. I knit the second sock's foot a little longer on accident...it's because I keep changing where I want to start the toe decreases! Sometimes I wait until the sock is past my little toe, sometimes before... inconsistency!<br />
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I love Opal!! I've acquired a nice little stash of it and they will all become vanilla socks :)<br />
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The second pair I finished just in time for Scott's birthday! I had a heckuva time washing and drying them without him noticing though. I had to be really sneaky :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15198210636" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/15198210636_8936dffd0e.jpg" width="333" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern: </b>72 stitch vanilla pattern with Fish Lips Kiss Heel (toe up!) - TAAT<br />
<b>Yarn: </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stash/search#colorway=208+Edgewater&photo=yes&yarn-link=lornas-laces-shepherd-sock-multi">Lorna's Laces Shepherd Multi Sock in Edgewater</a><br />
<b>Needles: </b>2.25 mm Addi Sock Rockets 40" cable<br />
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I really, really, really enjoyed knitting with Lorna's Laces! The yarn itself is wonderful, but oh! then the colors!! They kept the interest going :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14985100248" title="Scott's birthday socks are finishedLorna's Laces is gorgeous, can't wait to knit with it again! 17/20 #burningsockdesire by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's birthday socks are finishedLorna's Laces is gorgeous, can't wait to knit with it again! 17/20 #burningsockdesire" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14985100248_3e52dc2bdf.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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That's it from me, I hope you all enjoy your weekend!! xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-89240575298564825962014-09-06T15:57:00.000-06:002014-09-06T15:57:36.408-06:00summertime madness! Holy moly, friends, I'm still here!!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14947281382" title="Enderts Beach, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Enderts Beach, CA" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/14947281382_cb10fb142f.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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We got back from vacation mid-August, but getting back into the groove of life was tough! ...I've been meaning to blog for weeks. We spent a little over two weeks camping through the Olympic National Forest, the Oregon coast and Redwoods, and visiting friends and family the entire way. It was a ton of driving but we had such a wonderful time and it really was relaxing. I'll consolidate this post into a Best Of, with lots of photos :) <br />
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One of the coolest campsites we stayed at was somewhere south of Tillamook, OR. We pitched the tent under this huge tree:<br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14947586262" title="Alder Glen campground, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Alder Glen campground, OR" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14947586262_37d8b2b339.jpg" width="375" /></a></u></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14947603482" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Alder Glen campground, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Alder Glen campground, OR" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/14947603482_ca62ab8977.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the tent under the tree</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14924962146" title="Alder Glen campground, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Alder Glen campground, OR" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/14924962146_b60047e105.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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And directly across camp was a waterfall!! It fed into a fast moving stream and was so loud that we didn't hear any other campers. This was one of the rare places that we stayed two nights in because it was so nice. Though, I will not forget that it's also where I peed in the bushes and came out with thorns in my butt! Horrible and embarrassing, it took half a day to realize it wasn't itchy from a rash but because of still embedded, teeny tiny thorns. Scott had to tweeze them out... not one of my finer moments! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15159397662" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="My creation by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/15159397662_a3020b00fc.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise: 1. I read <i>The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare </i>- it was very good! 2. Our MacGyver "glass" for drinking whiskey because we forgot to pack one (it's the bottom of a beer can) BTW best whiskey ever! 3. Scott's socks have heels 4. car knitting :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Two places I really enjoyed seeing were Enderts Beach in California and Devil's Punch Bowl in Oregon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14760973238" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Enderts Beach, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Enderts Beach, CA" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14760973238_03bf75d803.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exploring Enderts Beach<u><br /></u></td></tr>
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Enderts Beach is supposed to be a fantastic place for tide pools. Unfortunately we didn't hit the tide right, but we still walked the beach a little ways and found some cool things.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15156883411" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="My creation by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/15156883411_f94cf845fa.jpg" width="334" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise: 1. BEAR PRINTS!!! It was a little freaky to see them but still cool 2. a neat rock 3. another neat rock: I found a heart stone! 4. Scott 5. more little bear paws. It seemed like there was a mama bear with two cubs 6. starfish on the beach</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14761095787" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Enderts Beach, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Enderts Beach, CA" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14761095787_10eb6bb1eb.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was about a mile walk down to the beach, with flowers and blackberry bushes lining the sides</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14947279482" title="Enderts Beach, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Enderts Beach, CA" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14947279482_5814a1b9fb.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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The blackberries were everywhere! The morning that we went to Enderts Beach, we had just packed up camp without eating breakfast so the blackberries hit the spot! Until we saw a huge banana slug on the berry bush...and then counted thirty more!!!! If you know me well, you know I hate slugs of all kinds! So it's safe to say that I didn't eat anymore blackberries that day.<br />
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The Devil's Punchbowl was really neat! There's a small opening in the rock that you can walk through to reach the inside:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14761286437" title="Devil's Punch Bowl, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Devil's Punch Bowl, OR" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5591/14761286437_37ab7b6674.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14761146440" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Devil's Punch Bowl, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Devil's Punch Bowl, OR" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/14761146440_813b86017b.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Punchbowl</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/15156556291" title="P1050953 (2) by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050953 (2)" height="333" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15156556291_738e477a79.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14947841235" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Devil's Punch Bowl, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Devil's Punch Bowl, OR" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14947841235_50cf8407cb.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the Punchbowl from another side</td></tr>
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Of course, the Redwoods are always stunning:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14944656851" title="Redwoods, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Redwoods, CA" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14944656851_80bd320432.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14944618141" title="Redwoods, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Redwoods, CA" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14944618141_10e9f6ab4f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14760992890" title="Redwoods, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Redwoods, CA" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/14760992890_449e367fa6.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14761702128" title="Redwoods, CA by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Redwoods, CA" height="281" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14761702128_fc21699f81.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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We had great luck with the weather, it only rained on us once and the rest of the time it was sunny and warm. The only car trouble we had is still undetermined, but seems to have been a leak in the radiator which was solved by adding more coolant plus a gel that stops up leaks.<br />
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The scariest moment of the trip was the last night we camped, in eastern Oregon. We were somewhere between 4000-5000 feet up on a mountain when a storm decided to light up the night. It was close to one a.m. and I woke up to flashes through the tent, then the soft rumbles of thunder. It freaked me out for several reasons. There was lightening but no rain; we had passed through a large portion of forest earlier that day that had been ravaged by fire; I couldn't see the lightening because I was in a tent; and <i>we're on TOP of a mountain in a lightening storm. </i>So I ran to the car. I thought we might be driving for our lives, I was really that terrified. It passed a few hours later and then it poured - which was the first time camping I was ever thankful for rain! <br />
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One of the best parts was meeting friends! It was sheer luck that both Vanessa of <a href="http://lynaiyarns.com/">Lynai Yarns</a> and Scott and I were in Crescent City on the same day. Neither of us live there, she was visiting family and we were passing through to our next destination. It was also perfect timing that led Anna of <a href="http://www.the-willow-nest.com/">the willow nest</a> and I to meet! Both ladies have been very good friends to me on Instagram, and I feel like we've known one another for so long! It's sad that we all live so far away from each other, but I feel incredibly fortunate to have met each of them!! We also visited one of Scott's friends, my brother and his wife, and one of my best friends who moved out of state ♥<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14924941156" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pacific City, OR by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Pacific City, OR" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14924941156_0188698224.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haystack Rock</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14972957768" title="P1060059 (2) by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1060059 (2)" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14972957768_7db5c77e92.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading!! x Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-32379229537280598362014-07-27T10:39:00.002-06:002014-07-27T10:39:32.856-06:00Pebble BeachHi friends!<br />
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I have another finished object to share with you. It's Pebble Beach, and I love it. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14566348198" title="P1050768 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050768" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/14566348198_fc804b8718.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pebble-beach-shawlette">Pebble Beach Shawlette</a> by Helen Stewart <br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock in color Euphorbia and Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Inkwell<br />
<b>Needle</b>: US 7, 40" circular<br />
<b>Modifications: </b>I knew I would run out of yarn so I decided to use a contrast color for the edge. I ended up repeating the last four rows once more to have just enough purple in the shawl :)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14752671252" title="P1050788 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050788" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/14752671252_81db69cefe.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I greatly enjoyed knitting this shawl. I had read someone's comment that it's potato chip knitting, and I was like, what? no way! It's lace! But it really did become intuitive and, I don't want to say mindless or simple, but very relaxing. The lace rows were the rows to pay attention to, but they're followed by three rows of stockinette or garter stitch. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14749829581" title="P1050783 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050783" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/14749829581_e1f7771a6e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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A month or so ago, I came across Helen Stewart's podcast through another podcast. In one show she discusses her Pebble Beach Shawlette, and Unwind Brighton, and it made me so interested in the pattern. Then I kept seeing friends on Instagram who had been to Unwind Brighton and received the shawl pattern, knitting their Pebble Beaches and, well, you know how enabling goes!<br />
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Helen's podcast is called <a href="http://www.curioushandmade.com/category/podcast/">Curious Handmade</a> and if you haven't had a listen yet, consider trying it. I really enjoy her podcast! <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14566321290" title="P1050765 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050765" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3901/14566321290_7a68e370a6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Mine turned out fairly long. I didn't measure it but my wingspan is 64 inches, plus there's at least five inches extra on each side (the pattern measurements are 55 inches diameter). I did go up one needle size than the pattern calls for because the Hazel Knits Artisan Sock fabric just seemed too dense on US 6.<br />
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I am glad for a little extra length! It will wrap a few extra times under my jacket this fall :) <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14566321869" title="P1050797 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050797" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14566321869_07ecf763cc.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I hope you are all having a sunny but cool Sunday! Thanks for reading! x<br />
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(p.s. I connected my Blogger account to Google+ recently, but for some reason it left me unable to reply to certain comments. I disconnected from Google+ in the hopes that I can again reply directly to comments left here. We'll see! If I didn't reply to your comment in the last two posts it was because of this, but I did read your comments and greatly appreciate them!!) xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-36613011723397186532014-07-23T19:44:00.001-06:002014-07-23T19:46:32.507-06:00Echo Flower shawl<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14672423036" title="P1050743 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050743" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/14672423036_915497a546.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14695154622" title="P1050747 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050747" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14695154622_6d5e17e9c3.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14695458635" title="P1050734 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050734" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14695458635_d3389d3fd6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14693052734" title="P1050737 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050737" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14693052734_2459b28110.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14692278941" title="P1050732 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050732" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14692278941_ae1e209afe.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14508808199" title="P1050727 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050727" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3860/14508808199_824808917b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14695167872" title="P1050730 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050730" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/14695167872_1c25f581a1.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-42229194739451099662014-07-19T14:59:00.000-06:002014-07-19T14:59:26.691-06:00FOFOFO -- what the Santa of knitting says when you finish somethingHi friends! This has been an excellent week for turning WIPs into FOs! It feels incredibly awesome to have finished these projects. My unfinished object shelf was becoming a little stuffed!<br />
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The first FO is my dad's socks! I will post a photo and offer more details after I've given them to him and taken some photos. <br />
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The second FO is Echo Lace:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14692887162" title="P1050702 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050702" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/14692887162_9a9b873f62.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/echo-flower-shawl">Echo Lace </a>by Jenny Johnson Johnen<br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Zitron Filigran in the color light gray<br />
<b>Needles</b>: US 6<br />
<b>Modifications</b>: The pattern calls for 440-880 yards, I used 535 yards. The shawlette version calls for eight repeats and the shawl version calls for thirteen, but I was worried about running out of yarn so I knit ten repeats.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14506484070" title="P1050706 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050706" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14506484070_ef5f15fc71.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It was my first lace project in lace weight yarn and I think the most challenging aspect was that it commanded my full attention when knitting. I'm more likely to knit something with a simple enough pattern that I can also read or watch tv. Not with this pattern. There were a few times I had an extra (or one less) stitch in a row, and I'd just incorporate it in. I was scared the most that I'd drop a stitch and not be able to work it back up. Thankfully that never happened.<br />
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This pattern has nupps, 2into9, and 3into9, which was my first experience with all of them. They weren't too hard but they did take a few tries to get right and get the hang of them. There is an <a href="http://youtu.be/GSIzYLbasHY">awesome YouTube video</a> that shows how to use a crochet hook to work the nupps instead of your knitting needle that helped me immensely. I did try to work them with my knitting needle, and I made a few, but generally the crochet hook nupps looked neater. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14692882152" title="P1050705 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050705" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/14692882152_49109ea483.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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All in all, I love this shawl! It was a difficult project for me, but I am eager to knit one in heavier weight yarn! <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14506513649" title="P1050704 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050704" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5578/14506513649_9cdb5d0f49.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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My third FO is another pair of socks.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14692875422" title="P1050713 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050713" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14692875422_9b3450fcb0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunday-swing-socks">Sunday Swing</a> by Kristel Nyberg <br />
<b>Yarn</b>: Juno Fibre Arts Buffy in the color Lilac Pool<br />
<b>Needles</b>: US 0 <br />
<b>Modifications</b>: none<br />
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They make pair 15/20. <br />
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This pattern has been in my queue ever since I saw <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Mysistersknitter/sunday-swing-socks">Andi's pair</a>. Not much else to say, I love these socks!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14713024333" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050715 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050715" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14713024333_72ea831a0e.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">modified Eye of the Partridge heel </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14689979861" title="P1050712 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050712" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14689979861_47ffeb13f9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">T</span>he pattern is simple and easy to memorize. It's comprised of yarn overs and knit two together, and for that reason, it's also a good pattern to help you read your knitting. <br />
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yeah! finished objects! My dad's socks and Echo Lace were both projects I needed to finish before leaving for vacation, so I'm very relieved I made it. And now I can 100% focus on trip planning, eek! It's mainly going to be a hiking and camping adventure through Washington, Oregon, and into the Redwoods. I am wholly looking forward to new sights, new people, breweries, yarn souvenirs, and spending it all with Scott. We're not leaving for awhile, but you will definitely see all of the photos :)<br />
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Happy weekend and thanks so much for visiting me!! x Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-76919624823728363092014-07-12T20:56:00.002-06:002014-07-12T22:04:14.126-06:00Turkey precious and handspun Hello there! Is it hot everywhere else too? :) We're coping by waking up early enough to work on chores while it's still cool in the morning. We have fans running in two windows to help pull in cooler air (we are a/c-less). I have all but unplugged the oven ;) how do you guys keep cool?<br />
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It's Tour de Fleece right now! I am not participating as heavily this year due to several knits that must be finished soon. However, I did finish spinning this:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14433561268" title="Norm + mystery fiber by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Norm + mystery fiber" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14433561268_a27ba21d16.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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It's half Norma and half mystery fiber; both from Sheep on a Spring. I looove the colors!! I always love the colors that Dag uses to dye, very vibrant and cheerful.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14620167755" title="Norm + mystery fiber by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Norm + mystery fiber" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14620167755_b5ebc433a2.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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It's two ply and about 180 yards of sport weight. The yarn contains merino, alpaca, and "everything imaginable from angora to yak" (reads the fiber tag). I don't have plans for this skein yet! I would really like to knit a lot of Christmas gifts from handspun yarn! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14433571779" title="Norm + mystery fiber by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Norm + mystery fiber" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/14433571779_35fc8e44d7.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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There are a lot of Tour de Fleece tags on Instagram if anyone is interested in seeing what others are spinning, or looking for spinning inspiration. Among the tags I've seen are:<br />
<ul>
<li>#tdfleece2014 </li>
<li>#tdf </li>
<li>#tdf2014 </li>
<li>#tourdefleece </li>
</ul>
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This past week I placed my first order to Jimmy Beans Wool, and I am so freaking pleased! The yarn is gorgeous:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14639610295" title="first Jimmy Beans Wool purchase! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="first Jimmy Beans Wool purchase!" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3841/14639610295_3ef008b93f.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I ordered five Unicorn Tails to add to Mrs. Weasley's blanket and a skein of Lorna's Laces in color Edgewater for a long overdue pair of socks for Scott :) the last pair I was knitting for him I ended up frogging halfway through...so it's been over two years since he's received a new pair, yikes.<br />
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Everyone talks about how quickly they ship - I ordered on Sunday and had my yarn on Thursday! Of course I Instagrammed my purchase, and JBW reached out and commented. Instantly I loved them.<br />
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I can't help but compare JBW to Knit Picks because they are the only two large yarn online companies I've purchased from. While it's likely I'll order from Knit Picks in the future, their shortcomings are glaringly apparent when stacked next to JBW. Anyway.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14637448114" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="first Jimmy Beans Wool purchase! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="first Jimmy Beans Wool purchase!" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14637448114_d4845d0295.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madelinetosh Unicorn Tails !! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14639613655" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="first Jimmy Beans Wool purchase! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="first Jimmy Beans Wool purchase!" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14639613655_0b56406f7e.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my first skein of Lorna's Laces ♥</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I went back and forth on how I wanted to knit his socks. I've been dying to knit a vanilla sock one at a time just to keep in my purse. But I realized I might run out of yarn and was truly worried I might lose my steam after the first sock. I decided on toe up TAAT and I think it's the right decision. I'd like to make them as long as possible. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14639608995" title="Scott's socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's socks" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3908/14639608995_c06578dcae.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I <i>looooooove </i>the colors so much. If these fit me, I would have a hard time parting with them :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14616614996" title="Scott's socks by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Scott's socks" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14616614996_4ae20b17b0.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I've named them Turkey Precious and here's the story the best as I can retell it. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kCScchHXK_Y" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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Scott and I had been cracking up over the above video for weeks. Anytime one of us said "potato" in daily life we'd rap the song. So one time we were waiting for the bus to school and had been laughing about po-ta-toes. Then I said something about having turkey for dinner, and Scott honestly said, "What's turkey?" with 100% innocence. We still joke about "what's turkey, precious?" :)<br />
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<i>(if that was a horrible story I apologize!!! sometimes it's hard to explain inside jokes!) </i><br />
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Anyway! His socks are coming along very well. I love working with Lorna's Lace and will definitely purchase more. Uh yeah, I want a pair for myself too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14589715642" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Untitled by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="400" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/14589715642_0b3ae28d21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berny wishing for winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Enjoy your weekend and thanks for visiting me!! xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-27805777580082656732014-07-08T20:45:00.002-06:002014-07-08T20:48:14.894-06:00Hiking and Mrs. Weasley Hi friends! I wanted to share a few photos from our hike this weekend, and some new photos of Mrs. Weasley's blanket!<br />
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We drove down the Bitterroot on Sunday morning and hiked Bear Creek. It's an easy hike that follows alongside the creek.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14588146134" title="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/14588146134_73335e351b.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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We hiked it once before a few years ago. During that time, it started <i>pouring</i> as soon as we reached the falls. We wouldn't have been worried but we each had a camera (I can't remember if we had brought rain jackets). So we sped down the trail to the car, about 1.5 miles, taking cover under large pines every once in awhile. At one point I skinned my knee on a tree that had fallen over the path and by the time we were back at the trail head, we were soaked!<br />
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Thankfully, it was nothing but sunshine when we hiked this past weekend :) <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14588169604" title="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014" height="500" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14588169604_7ac8c13f20.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14403409909" title="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14403409909_8ed8fbfe0c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14589989985" title="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14589989985_0a97ba8edc.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14403435309" title="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14403435309_3eed57ea6a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I took a photo with my camera's self-timer and it worked great except I didn't see that little plant in front of the lens. Photo bombed! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14403427019" title="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Bear Creek, Bitterroot 2014" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/14403427019_8d95512041.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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And now, progress on Mrs. Weasley's blanket:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14586207396" title="P1050674 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050674" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14586207396_92d2638843.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Today I seamed two quadrants together. I had to YouTube how to seam (!!) and I found a superb video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9LKyaOL1d9A" width="560"></iframe><br />
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It really did make an invisible seam, which is important for me because my seaming yarn was a different color.<br />
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My invisible seam!!!: <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14608666782" title="P1050675 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050675" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14608666782_ab586e322b.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14422816627" title="P1050676 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050676" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/14422816627_46c21eed92.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14607174264" title="P1050679 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050679" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/14607174264_5fcfc95865.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14607181184" title="P1050673 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050673" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14607181184_16d9995896.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14422607718" title="P1050678 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050678" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14422607718_bdac9042f4.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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I love love love this blanket ♥ </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-73803956525575388332014-07-05T15:42:00.002-06:002014-07-05T15:42:38.475-06:00Whoop whoop! socks <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14395346597" title="P1050587 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050587" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14395346597_58359ae0a9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Socks! This pair felt especially super when I finished sewing in the ends; not only are they for a friend, but they are my thirteenth pair! I have reached my sock goal this year :) since I foresee more sock knitting, I'm increasing my goal to twenty pairs. That might be a little ambitious, especially with holiday knitting starting soon, but I'm going to try!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14395339927" title="P1050594 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050594" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14395339927_2d9b0f98f8.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14581012482" title="P1050591 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050591" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/14581012482_d3f2c1ef59.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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The yarn is hand dyed and I am so happy with how it knit up.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14578425561" title="P1050597 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050597" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14578425561_daaf8b57f5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14395162019" title="P1050589 by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="P1050589" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14395162019_e89efa6fc6.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekend :) We have been indulging in the Dead White and Blue marathon, eek! (the Walking Dead) I never ever liked zombies until I started this show. I still don't <i>like </i>them, but I can't stop watching.<br />
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Oh one last thing! If you are interested, I am co-hosting a KAL with Jessie from <a href="http://www.bigheartsmalltown.com/">Big Heart in a Small Town</a> - we will be knitting <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clinquant">Clinquant shawl </a>by Lisa Mutch. The KAL starts on August 1 and ends on September 23... there is plenty of time to find yarn! If you visit the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/instagram-along-ers/2964304/1-25#10">Ravelry thread</a> for this, you will also find a 50% off coupon code for the pattern! We would love to have you knit along with us :)<br />
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Enjoy your weekend!! xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1299445265979134816.post-81222136849996194302014-06-28T09:35:00.000-06:002014-06-28T09:35:10.173-06:00Book Club Baby ShowerLast week our book club gave a baby shower for not one, not two, but three of our expecting mamas! (that is almost half of our total membership!! Someone jokingly asked, What do you guys read??)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14504578442" title="Baby shower!! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby shower!!" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/14504578442_3551c25683.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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We spent the evening at a park eating, laughing, playing games. The weather held, though it sprinkled a little on us. <br />
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The super adorable cake Abbey made:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14319151999" title="Baby shower!! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby shower!!" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/14319151999_1a87d87583.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Since we are a book club, our gifts to the mamas were children's books!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58884018@N04/14502341821" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Baby shower!! by Jesse, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby shower!!" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14502341821_cf96ac156d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17653007565974130893noreply@blogger.com6