The poncho that never was

I wanted to make a poncho, but when it was brought up to knitting and non-knitting friends alike, I was taunted and teased. So with my tail tucked between my legs I put up the yarn, pattern and needles.

Fast forward 1 year. the Knitpicks Panache in Cloud was staring at me. Begging to be knit into something wonderful. So I decided to do something with it and give the yarn its day in the sun.

So out comes one of my pattern books, One Skein Wonders by Judith Durant. There was an adorable hat that was knit in 3 seperate directions called the Shepherd Bulky Rainbow Hat. It was a quick knit and looks adorable (if I do say so myself!). I even ventured to make some fingerless mittens to match from the same book. I'm stylin' in Wisconsin ridiculous winter!!

MAJOR Stash Enhancment

I'm so excited about all my new yarn!! A small LYS is closing it's doors and going strictly internet so she decided to sell what was in the store at 50% off!! Yep 50%off of EVERYTHING freakin' thing.


So on Saturday, in 4 below zero weather, Starbucks new Skinny Latte in hand, and a 3 month old wrapped up from head to toe, I headed to The Pepper Tree. She had some great yarn left that just screamed PROJECTS to me!!!

So here it goes:

Cascade Superwash for striped hat/mittens for S (2 in both Red and Black)

Berroco Touche for a striped sweater for E for Winter 2008/09 (3 Ivory, 6 blue)

Queensland Collection's Kathmandu Aran (4 balls) for a hat/gloves/scarf for DH:


A sweater for myself in Cascade 220 - Heathers (6 Hanks)

Now some random yarn-yummniess just because I loved the way this looked!!



Patagonia Nature Cotton (2 in blue)


Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky (2 pink, 1 mauve)


Elsebeth Lavold's Angora (2 in Misty Blue)



Cascade 220 (1skein)



All of this wonderful non-sock yarn for under $200!!! Close but under that amount!!! I can't believe what a deal. I'm glad I got good solid yarns b/c if it takes 3 years to knit up I'll still like the stuff. It won't be for just a fad I'm on!!!!



I also got 7 skeins of Blue Sky Dyed Cotton for DH's B-school buddy's baby. I'll be doign another Big Bad Baby Blanket. It's in the color Sky which is heavenly!!! Ordered it from WEBS. I've been very happy with them so far. The bulk discount ROCKS!!!

I also order Goshen from WEBS for the El Sol Pullover from Interweave Knits Winter edition! I'm boring and got VERY basic colors!! I wanted to do something a bit more adventureous, but couldn't do it.







































So that's it for a long time. STITCHES Midwest is in August and I can't wait. I'll be adding to my lovely collection in August!

I'm Angora

Angora – Soft and warm“Angora has a warmth that rivals cashmere and softness that rivals qiviut. Best of all, it comes from cute little bunnies that look for all the world like furry footstools with ears.” –The Knitter’s Book of Yarn

Angoras are eager to please and are highly sensitive. Flexibility and adaptability are your strengths and sometimes your weakness, as well. You are essentially a warm and feeling person, and little escapes your impressionable mind. You are generous with others and strive for harmony in your relationships.

What are you??? http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/pottercraftnews/fiberquiz/index.html

I'm one happy Monkey mama!!!

The Monkeys are finished and I've worn them all day today!! I love these socks and can't wait to start a new pair!! Pattern: Monkey Sock by Cookie A (from Knitty)

Yarn: BMFA - Socks that Rock - Lightweight

Colorway : SpaceDust

Needles: US Size 2 DPNs

So what's next?? I've joined 2 groups on Ravelry that I'm really hoping to get very involved with this year. First is the Sock a Month 5 KAL and next is the 2008 Mission Possible group. Both groups are going to help me decrese my stash before I hit Stitches Midwest this year. I need some room in my closet!!

The SAM5 KAL is really laid back and has 250 members. I need to post there today and show off my socks!!

The 2008 Mission Possible group is the brainchild of Jen-La. Basically, you pick 12 items you want to complete in 2008 w/ your current stash or UFOs. If on December 31st you haven't completed all of them, you need to donate the yarn. This'll help me get a few things of the needles that have been waiting patiently to be finished!

Next on the list is the Big Bad Baby Blanket for a friend of DHs. I'm going to use Blue Sky Dyed Cotton in Sky. I ordered from WEBS. I've been happy with them so far. I'm doing the Shepherd Bulky Hat from One Skein Wonders in Knitpicks Panache until the Blue Sky gets here. If I have time, I want to do mittens to match. I need to knit now that the baby is on a schedule, I hate sitting idle!!

Knitting will be a priority of mine in 2008. It makes me so relaxed to sit and watch my boys play together while I knit. They're the most peaceful times I have these days. As I type this S is reading E a picture book. E is laughing his head off. Truly a great time . . . .

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year! We stayed at home and went to bed at 10pm!!

I'm almost finished my Monkeys!!! It's such a kick-ass pattern! My DH said it looked complicated and he was very impressed. I also need to take pictures of The Beast in Felix. He looks so great in it. It fit so well on him. My camera is at my friend Kelly's house. Her daughter turned 3 last week and I wanted to document the tourture that S and Lauren inflict on each other. Of course, I forget it when we left.

So I usually try to think about everything I want to do in the new year. This year I'm going to go with the flow. I have no agendas, no yarn clubs, nothing. I'm going to knit what tickles my fancy and leave it at that. I did join the 2008 Sock of the Month KAL, but that is a low pressure thingy. DH on the other hand is all about hand knits for him this year. He's never really shown an interest . . . I have no idea what changed! He wants socks, a fancy alpaca sweater ( I bought the yarn at Stitches), a Felix ( of course in the same yarn which'll be over $100), and a felted bag for his golf shoes!!! He might be getting a how to knit book for his bday next month.

Anyway, pictures soon!!