...52 weeks of happy (3/52)...

1.  Great friends.  (Susan & I)
2.  Hipster glasses and we don't care. (with Melanie)
3.  End of Stitches West.  (Man, are we tired.)

...two coasts, two hats, one brain...

Finally, I am done with my Lotus Blossom hat.  I finished the knitting last night and blocked it this morning. 

I really love how it turned out but I was a little bit afraid that it wasn't going to fit.  When Marcy and I started this project we were pretty excited.  As I said, we spotted the hat at Rhinebeck and knew that it had to be our bi-coastal KAL.  So we started it and after my rip out and re-start it was finally coming along.  But it was about half way through the hat that I started to think it looked a little small.

Marcy and I were on iChat one morning when I casually mentioned this.  Neither of us had done a gauge swatch because we were both sure of gauge.  I am always on gauge,  I never have to change needle size.  We talked about how it had to fit, we were using the right needles, and yarn called for in the pattern, right?  Uh-oh.  We were using the needle size called for and we were using Green Mountain Spinnery Simply Fine yarn (9 stitches to the inch).  The only problem with that is that the pattern calls for Green Mountain Spinnery Sock Art Meadow or Forest (7.5 stitches per inch).  Which I might add are completely different yarns with completely different gauges.  Yes, my gauge would have been perfect if we were supposed to use the Simply Fine, but that's not the yarn the pattern called for.  No wonder the hat looked small.  

We decided to keep knitting and if nothing else I said Paytan would be getting a new hat.  She's the only one I know with a head that small...

Marcy finished hers first and blocked it.  She sent me a text message that said, "All blocked, fits perfect!"  How could that be?  I'm not sure but now that mine is blocked it fits perfectly also.  Maybe the knitting gods were smiling down on us but for whatever reason, the thing does fit.  I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Lessons learned: 

1.   ALWAYS DO A GAUGE SWATCH, EVEN IF YOU ARE ALWAYS ON GAUGE.  Thank god this wasn't a sweater.

2.  ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY BUYING THE RIGHT YARN FOR THE PROJECT.  I think we were so excited that all we did was grab the yarn that was in the bin under the hat and figured it must be the right yarn.  (head slap)

Anyway, I love how the colorwork turned out.  I don't do a lot of colorwork but I can tell you that after this I will be doing more!

Marcy and I got together on iChat this morning to compare hats and we really do love them!  

We just need to make sure that we double check what we are doing.  As my day would say, "If we had a brain, we'd be dangerous....

...I call her my friend...

Anyone that knows anything about the knitting world knows who Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is.  She is the author of many knitting humor books, two of which made it on to the New York Times Best Seller list including her most recent book All Wound Up (#24).  Steph writes about everyday life things and told by anyone else I'm sure would not be half as funny.  She can take an ordinary situation and find great humor in it, and she leaves me in stitches every time.

I first met Steph about 6 years ago at Madrona where she was speaking.  As I sat there listening to her speak I thought, I think I could be good friends with this woman.  Our paths crossed many more times in the next few years and in 2009 I had the good fortune to work for her and Tina on both Sock Summit 2009 and 2011.  It was a pretty great experience.

I caught up with Steph briefly at Rhinebeck, which was the beginning of her book tour for All Wound Up.  She was swamped with knitters waiting to speak with her and get their books signed.  We exchanged a quick "Hi" and agreed that we would see each other at the other end of the tour when she got to Portland for her last book signing.

I met up with Steph before her signing at Powell's in Portland.  We caught up and it was great to spend time with her before she headed home to Toronto.  I'm not sure when I will see Steph again, but I know that when I do it will be like no time has passed.  That's the mark of a good friendship.

Congrats, Steph, on the success of the new book.  Well done, my friend.  Now get some rest....

...bi-coastal...

While with Marcy on my east coast adventure we decided to do a bi-coastal knit-a-long. We found a darling hat called the Lotus Blossom Hat from Green Mountain Spinnery.  It's from the book "99 Yarns and Counting".  We spied the sample in their booth at Rhinebeck and fell in love.  After many trips back and forth to better lighting we settled on a skein of their natural and a skein of hand painted Simply Fine Yarn.  

Fast forward to Marcy's house and us sitting down to cast on our hats.  One crochet provisional cast-on and 9 rows later I discovered that while Marcy was knitting along in fine shape  I was, however, merrily creating a beautiful mobius hat band, which you may know is impossible to get on your head.  At first there was denial on my part.  I kept looking at it and thinking this is bad, no this is okay, no this is bad.....

After coming to my senses that it wasn't going to fix itself, I ripped back the 9 rows of 160 stitches each and cast on one more time.  By this time I was sweaty, my blood pressure was elevated and I was more than a little pissed.  (There may have been some language involved.  Thank goodness her kids were in bed.)

I got three rows done and put it away for the night.  I headed to Stitches East the next day thinking, "I'll have time work on this hat and I'll be caught up to Marcy in no time."  Right.

Stitches came and went and I settled down in my hotel room on the eve of my flight home, ready to knit on the hat.  This is when I discovered that the hat was in the box.......that I shipped home.  It wasn't in my suitcase, it wasn't in my knitting bag, it was no where in my hotel room or luggage.  (There may have been more language at this point.)

I flew home and watched and waited until a week later when the UPS man came up the driveway.  I ran out and met him in the driveway.  There was the box.  He said, "You must really have something special in here."  I said, "You have no idea..."

So now I am caught up with Marcy (I threatened asked her to wait for me so we could work together on them).  We are knitting along, bi-coastally, as if we are sitting side by side on her couch.  We show each other how we are coming along during our daily iChat sessions.  We have a finishing target date of November 18.  I'm sure I can finish by then, after all I only have to make one hat band...

...NaBloPoMo...(I think I can, I think I can)

So, my friend Carrie gave me a push to try this.  I have been such a slacker remiss in the blogging area and it's been in the back of my mind to ramp up my postings.  So this seemed like the perfect fix!  Write a blog post every day in November.  Sounds pretty easy, right?  It should be.  If you know me you know that I can talk non-stop.  I should be able to pound out a blog post a day for a month.

Well, look at me.....one day behind already.  The only excuse I can come up with is that I just read Carrie's post, thought it would be a good idea and jumped in.  Never mind that it's November 2.

So here's what I'm  going to do.  Two posts today.  Then I'll be caught up, right?  Right.

So really this post is just the pre-post for the real post that is coming later today.  Okay?  Okay!   Jump in with me and let's get this blog party started!  How hard can this be?

...east coast adventure, part 1

I just have time for a quick post before I head here to finish setting up the Blue Moon Booth.  I just finished up the best 5 days ever.  First up Rhinebeck.  What an event!

The fiber, the food, the animals....so much to see.  It's like no other festival I have been to.  I bought a few things (more later on that).  We started the morning on what Knittinggolfer like to call the "magic bus"which left from WEBS.  It was great being with all of those knitters for the ride.  There were goody bags for all and door prizes.  The best part was that we were dropped off at the entrance, given a ticket for admission and away we went.

We got to see Steph briefly.  She had a huge line of knitters waiting to get her new book signed.

 I ran into Anne and got to show her my Rhinebeck sweater.  So exciting! 

 There was fried dough....

We finally got back on the magic bus at 4:00 and headed back to Webs.  What a day!!

From there I head to Knittinggolfers house for some rest before Stitches East.  It was so much fun to finally meet her family in person.  Her husband was great and her kiddos.....so much fun!  

Needless to say with 4 of them Marcy stays really busy.  There is always someone coming or going from that house.  In one day we were in the car no less than 7 times.  While I was there I got to see Emily and Nicole play soccer,

 Zac play baseball (coming into home!)

 and Erin do cartwheels.

  The kids even made me a welcome sign.

It was so great to be with such a wonderful family.  Thanks Marcy and Rick for your hospitality!

Now I am in Hartford getting ready for the opening night of the Stitches East Marketplace.  It's going to be a great show.  If you are in the neighborhood, stop by booth #805 and see me!  

...on the road again...

Finally, after weeks of waiting and preparation I am leaving on a jet plane in the morning for my east coast trip.  First stop, Rhinebeck, NY and the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival.  And if you know anything about Rhinebeck you know that you've got to have a new sweater just to make an appearance.  Enter Bel Air.

 

Yup, this is the sweater I started back in August when I was in San Francisco at A Verb for Keeping Warm with my pals Stephen and Carrie.  We were lucky to be taking class from the master herself, Anne Hanson!  And this is the result of that fantastic class.  Let me tell you, Anne was right.  If you take your measurements and knit to them.....the sweater fits!  I love this sweater beyond belief.  If you see me wearing it at Rhinebeck I'll probably make you listen as I describe all that is lovely about it! Humor me.....

I'll be taking in  everything with my best pal, Marcy.  This trip is going to be one to remember!  We start by getting on what Marcy likes to call "the magic bus" at Webs  and riding from the shop to Rhinebeck with a bunch of knitters!  Who could as for anything more?

We'll be making stops to see Miss Babs and then to The Fold.  Speaking of The Fold, if you love
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock (and who doesn't?) get on over there!   Not only will they have a great selection of STR, but they also will have Silk Hankies!  Rumor has it there is a cowl pattern (free) that will be showing up there that can be knit from one hankie!

We'll be stopping by to see Steph at her book signing that kicks off the tour for her new book.  Can't wait to see her!

Once Rhinebeck is over Marcy and I will travel back to her house for a few days of rest before heading to Stitches East in Hartford.  I'll be hosted by our pals at Webs and will have a bunch of great Blue Moon yarns.  Tina has sent some beautiful garment yarns along with Socks That Rock so the booth will be packed with loveliness!  Please stop by and say hello if you get to Stitches.  I'd love to see you!

Well, as they say let's get this show on the road!

...the time of our lives...

I know that I owe you a huge post on Sock Summit but I am madly packing my bags to head to Oakland and A Verb for Keeping Warm. I am taking a class from one of my favorite people on the planet, Anne Hanson! She is teaching a Sweater Fitness Class and I can't wait. It's been a long time since I've had the chance to take a class and I know this one is going to be great. the weekend starts with a gathering at the shop on Friday night with both Anne and Cookie A, who is also teaching there this weekend. I know I will have a bunch to report on when I get home! Rest assured that you will be getting the blow by blow on this and Sock Summit next week!

In the meantime, I leave you with what undoubtedly will be the best memory I have from Sock Summit 2011. Thank you Stephen! It really was the time of our lives!

video credit: Clara Parkes

...contest...

While I was designing Knit Night it brought to mind all of the great times I have had with my knit night friends. We have been together for about 7 years and even though some members have come and gone, the core group has remained constant. Our members differ in many ways; age, backgrounds, marital status, family dynamics, where we are in the different phases in life.

Our conversations will range from family issues, books we are reading, movies we've seen, world events and everything (and I do mean everything) in between. Our group has quite a few strong personalities and so our discussions are pretty lively. There are agreements and "friendly" disagreements. We are a mixed bag of tricks!

But what we ALL have in common is our love for the world of fiber. Anytime anyone buys a new skein of yarn or finds a new pattern it's show and tell time. If someone needs help with a technique or has a questions about the interpretation in a pattern, there is always someone in our group that can help. I love my knit night group!

Now here's the contest! How would you like to win a copy of Knit Night AND a skein of Bling (the yarn used for the design)? Lorajean of the Knitted Wit and I would love to hear about your knit night.

Do you have a knit night (day, or afternoon) group? I would love to here about yours. What is your favorite knit night memory? How did your group come to be? What do you talk about?

Leave your memories in the comment section below between now and Sunday midnight (pacific time) and we will choose 2 winners! First prize is a skein of Bling and a copy of the pattern, the runner up will receive the pattern! We will post the winners on Monday! Can't wait to hear all about you!

...knit night...

When I started designing things I knew I wanted to include something for my knit night friends. Being with these people is really great! Over the years we have become knotted together in many ways. Meeting each week, we share a bit about our lives, admire each others' knitting and laugh.....a whole lot. I love each and every one of them. And so I give you...

~ Knit Night ~

Knit Night is a one skein shawl with a pretty knotted stitch throughout the body,

a bit of lattice

that transitions into a charming knitted on lace edging.

It's the perfect project for that special single skein of luxury yarn in your stash and knits up very quickly.

Thank you knit night friends for being a special part of my life.

~ Knit Night ~

Yarn:

~ Knitted Wit - Bling Sock Yarn [65% Merino/20%/15% Nylon, 3.53 oz/100g, 420 yards/384 m], colorway: Two Roads.

~ Alpha B - Sexy B [70% Baby Alpaca/20% Silk/ 10% Cashmere, 3.65 oz/100g, 437yards/399 m], colorway: Two Olives, Please.

Supplies:

~ 32" circular needles size US 4/3.5 mm or size needed to obtain gauge.

~ markers

~ yarn needle

Gauge:

~ 7 stitches per inche over Stockinette Stitch.

Finished Measurements:

~ wingspan - 44 inches

~ length - 22 inches.

Please visit Knitted Wit and Alpha B to see their lovely selections of yarn!

...the water's fine...

I have something new on the design table. It's coming together nicely and I'm excited about releasing it. What I need, to make this happen, is some help. I'm looking to add to my list of test knitters. I have a really great group that has been testing my patterns as they come along. These knitters are wonderful and I owe them a huge thanks, so here goes....

Thank you Marcy, for your wisdom and humor (you know what I mean). Thank you Linda, for jumping in and helping even though you've only met me once! Thank you Mary Ann, for testing, listening and guiding, even from long distance! Thank you Leianne, for your quiet confidence in me, it means the world. And last, but never least, thank you Susan, for your testing, frogging, testing some more, cheering, muttering, note taking, phone calls, car rides and gabfests (complete with wine). I could not do any of this with out each and every one of you.

That said, I would like to add to this fantastic pool of test knitters. If you are interested in jumping into to the murky waters of my test knitter pool leave a comment in the comment section or email me at thestitchesofmylifedesigns@gmail.com. Come on in, the water's fine.....

...and the winner is...

In my post on Tuesday, I posed the question as to what I had to do that day along with this photo~

I got some pretty funny and clever answers! The actual correct question was:

"What do you use to repair a broken piece on your jumbo flyer and a broken elastic band on your scotch tension?" Both of these things happened when I dropped the flyer on the floor and broke off a piece, glued it back together with the gorilla glue only to discover that the elastic band was broken too. Of course I surely had a rubber band hanging around the house that I could use to fix it, right? Guess again....

A trip to Staples and $4.99 later I was the proud owner of not one or one hundred rubber bands but a bag of a 1000. They don't sell them in smaller amounts. Now I can rest easy knowing that when this rubber band breaks I have 999 more to take it's place. By the way, every spinner should have a tube of this in their spinning bag.....

...notice it's the"IMPACT TOUGH" formula.

Anyhow, after reading and re-reading the questions posted I have decided that the winner is.....drum roll please........ (remember, I didn't say the correct question, I said the best)....

Katharine and the securing of a honey badger, etc. Congrats Katharine! Email me at thestitchesofmylifedesigns@gmail.com and I'll send you the pattern of your choice!

Thanks for playing everyone!

knit on~

...honey badger....

So apparently honey badger does care.....

This was a gift from Knitspot when we were at camp. Thank you Ann!

knit on honey badgers~

p.s. The bobbin behind the honey badger is a super secret gift I'm working on. More on that later......

...sock camp...

Just recovered unpacked from Sock Camp. As usual it was best of times, it was the craziest of times. The theme this year was Alice in Wonderland and boy what a rabbit hole we all fell into!

The campers were amazing as always. Fantastic talents at the Talent Show (dancers, puppet masters, singers, quilters, magicians, poetry reciters, story tellers..... you get the idea). I love the Talent Show and I am continually amazed and impressed by the multitude of things these people can do!

And then there was the homework. With each and every presentation we were blown away. The imagination is unbelievable.

The teachers/classes were wonderful. JC and Anne were rock stars, as usual. I heard so many great things about what the campers learned from them. I would love to take a class from each of them sometime. Hmm.....road trip.......

I got to be a class room aide to Steph. That was pretty cool! In her class the campers learned the fine art of darning. It was awesome!

I was able to slip away from Steph's class one morning and had the opportunity to dye with Tina. It was pretty great. Here is what I came away with.

I've already got several new designs in my head that will feature these lovelies!

Getting to spend time with Anna Zilboorg was especially nice. She is one smart cookie!

The best part of Sock Camp for me is getting meet new campers and being able to welcome back repeat offenders returning campers. Some of my closest friends have come from Sock Camp. Some of these people I only get to see once a year but I will tell you when we get together it's like we just saw each other yesterday. I love that!

Marcy, Carrie and I.

I got to spend a great deal of time with Stephen, a.k.a. hizKNITS. We shared the job as camp counselors. That definitely was a high point for me. Stephen is a pretty cool dude and loves to laugh as much as I do. I think we might be a deadly combination. He's also the one that turned me onto Honey Badger. You can thank him for that........

As always, I am thankful for the opportunity to be at Sock Camp. Thank you, Tina. I loved it.

...the city that never sleeps....

Boy they are not kidding when they say the New York is the city that never sleeps. I didn't get much myself on my recent trip there. But it was a blast and I am definitely going back, and soon!

I was there for Vogue Knitting Live working in the Blue Moon Fiber Arts booth. It was the first year for the show and there were a few bumps in the road, but overall it was a great show.

Let's start at the very beginning.....

Susan and I landed in NYC and were greeted with this.

even with the "do not enter" sign we managed to get through the airport and into a shuttle which we quickly named "Mr. Toads Wild Ride" for obvious reasons. Man, everybody there drives like their car is on fire.

Our original plan was to get to the hotel, unpack have a little something to eat, maybe a glass of wine and hit the hay. Until we got a glimpse of Times Square from the shuttle. When we realized we were only 3 blocks (New York Blocks) from Times Square all bets were off. We dumped our stuff in our room, grabbed a quick bite and head out to see the night lights of NYC.

Time Square...

The next morning we headed over to Rockefeller Center and the Today Show. Susan had made a cute sign and carried it in her suitcase!

From there we ventured to the Tiffany's, the Empire State Building and the on to Penn Station to pick up Marcy. She had taken the train down from her home in Massachusetts to help us with the show. It was great to see her again and she was a rockstar in the booth!

The three of us headed to Central Park for some photo ops and it was beautiful! Susan loved the horse drawn carriages, especially the horse part.

Here's Marcy. She's wearing one of her new designs called Bluster- Proof. Cabled headband and mitts. Adorable!

We needed to get warm so back to the hotel we went. We had a something quick to eat and the took a cab to the Westside Theatre to see the play "Love, Loss and What I Wore". It was pretty great.

The next day was set-up day for the show. We spent the better part of the day getting ready for the preview that took place from 5:00-7:00 that evening. The booth looked fantastic and we were swamped!

By the end of the show on Sunday we had very little to pack up and ship home and before we knew it, it was time to pack up our own stuff and head home.

It was a great trip and as always, I am thankful that Tina lets us represent her beautiful yarn at these venues. We are pretty lucky.

I leave you with a view from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.

New York is quite a city. I can't wait to go back.