Where does the time go???

Wow - sometimes I think I get stuck in a time warp. I can't believe it has been so long since I have been on the computer and written a post. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me - I can't begin to tell you how much it means to know that people care. Life does go on however hard it may be. I'm just trying to find those things that bring me joy and stick with them for a while. Let's see if I can give a relatively quick rundown on what's been happening.

I sent off the Bloomin' Feet package to my pal Leah. I got the most awesome email from her and am so relieved to say that she loved the socks and they fit. It's hard to make socks for someone when they can't try them on - I'm making socks for my Dad and had to rip out the heel twice to get them right after he tried them on. Now, I can't wait to get my socks in the mail.

Speaking of packages in the mail, Anne sent me such a wonderful thank you gift.

Three of her patterns and some luscious Fearless Fibers merino for the mitts. The fiber is soooo soft and I love the colors - can't wait to make them for ME!! The socks look like fun (I think Amanda made them recently) and the Starlight Wrap is amazing (although I will admit that I am a little intimidated by this one :))! Thank you, Anne, for reaching out to me.

And my newest love:

toe up socks in STR Lucy with a baby cable rib up the leg (pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks). These socks were really a lesson in pooling and gauge for me. I started out with my typical 72 stitches - the toe has nice stripes and then you can see the pooling that started in the lower sock. I tried the sock on and thought it was a bit loose. Since they were for me and they weren't that loose, I decided not to rip back, but to simply decrease by a few stitches. 4 to be exact. Look how the pattern changed - the stripes started to come back a bit. Then when I got to the leg and started the pattern, I was absolutely sure I would get stripes. Was I ever wrong! Instead I got those large blobs of color swirling up my leg. I LOVE these socks!

It's not fun to run out of yarn

This is a picture taken last night of the Bloomin' Feet socks. Was I wrong to be a little nervous!? The toes are now closed and after weaving in the yarn ends, I have 4 pieces of yarn left over - each about 6"-8" long. I am so glad I did not divide the skein in half as I would never have done it as closely as it needed to be divided. Instead, after winding the skein on the ball winder, I started one sock from the inside and one from the outside and knit both together. This is a fun pattern - it is Central Air from one of last year's STR club offerings. I'd definitely make it again, but maybe try it toe up so that I don't stress over running out of yarn.

Although, that does seem to be a common theme around here lately - check out this picture. Do you see what's wrong?

It's a bandanna and it's supposed to be a triangle. The pattern called for 1 skein of two different colors (one for the main color and one for a ruffly trim). I'm not quite sure what went wrong here (I even used the same yarn called for in the pattern), but I had to order another skein. It won't be the same dye lot, but hopefully it won't be too far off. Since I was placing an order anyway, I included one of the new Addi Lace circular needles - for this:

I decided I wanted my Moth to fly with large wings and after a discussion with my yarn consultant, we decided that I needed to go shopping for a yarn other than the Zephyr I was planning on using. This was also after deciding that there was absolutely nothing in the stash that would be appropriate. Carole did make a good point when she said how great this shawl is and that I really needed just the right yarn. I now have two choices - the Kid Silk Haze you see in the picture or Louet Kidlin Pixie (a linen/mohair yarn) in a cranberry color. I am leaning towards the orange because it makes me smile.