Introducing...Envy!

I’ve finally done it!  I’ve finally published my first sock pattern!  I’m excited, relieved, and terrified all at the same time!  

Introducing…Envy.

I’ve knit this pattern at least 4 times now and I have enjoyed it every time.  I may even have to cast on another pair since I’m on a sock kick anyway.

A special thanks to Deanne K. for test knitting the pattern and to Melissa B. for reviewing the pattern for inconsistencies and errors and stuff I left out!  You ladies rock!

The pattern is available on Ravelry here.

Enjoy!

Lisa

xoxoxo

Good News All Around!

It’s a lazy, partly cloudy Saturday here in Coastal Mississippi and the temperatures are finally behaving they way they should for this time of year.  We’re to reach a balmy 80 degrees this afternoon and I couldn’t be more thankful.  The winter clothing is tucked away and my summer things are out and in use.  I have big plans for doing very little today and I’ve put on my grungiest “don’t-even-think-about-asking-me-to-go-anywhere-unless-you’re-buying-me-food” clothes that communicate the theme of the day to The Husband.  

I have lots of good news to share, so let’s get started:

• It is Saturday and I have no headache. See my last post on why this is a big deal.

• There is actually some grass growing in the vast wasteland that is our un-sodded yard!  See this post to see why this is a big deal. Here’s proof:

We're getting there!

• I finished my Wyeth except for blocking which will happen as soon as my scented wool wash gets here.  Pictures to come after said blocking.

• I also finished a pair of socks for my daughter.  Pattern is Nutkin by Beth LaPensee, although I changed the cuff, the heel and the toe.  So er…yeah.  The yarn my daughter picked  was Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in color Whiskey Barrel.  Unlike the sweater that didn’t work out, I know she’ll actually be able to wear these.

The other sock is still drying.  Don't ask.
The pic is lousy too but I'm too lazy to retake one.
*See the opening paragraph.

• I’ll be starting another selfish knitting project today.  More socks!  I’m going to cast on a pair of Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes using some Knit Picks Stroll hand painted.  I fell in love with the color Coffee Shop.

• On the non-selfish knitting front, someone in my family is getting something yummy made from a skein of Cascade Yarns Eco Duo, color Storm.  Even though I’m not keeping this item, have you ever felt this yarn??  Seriously.  I get happy just thinking about it’s awesome squishy-ness.

• Finally, later today I am planning to release my long-time-coming sock pattern!  I actually took the day off work yesterday and spent a good deal of time working on the final editing and managed to get some decent photos of my test socks.  Woo hoo!!

How about you?  Give me some good news from your end!

Lisa

xoxoxo

Weekend Traditions

The weekend is here and I have to say, this one was especially welcome.  I came down with a nasty bug on Monday, missed work that day, then spent the rest of the week at work with what was left of the nasty bug.  It was not a pleasant week.  So when quittin’ time rolled around yesterday afternoon, I was more than ready to make my way home.  Thankfully, most of the crud I had is gone.  Unfortunately, as happens quite often lately, I managed to wake up with a fierce tension headache.  It’s becoming a Saturday tradition.  Someone pass me the Advil.  Boo…

Another weekend tradition that seems to be forming has to do with the weather.  During the past week, we had beautifully warm temperatures and gorgeous sunshine.  Look, here’s proof:

Hildy found her sweet spot

And today and we have this:

Bleh...

I believe this is the third or fourth weekend in a row where the week has been fabulous and the weekend has been a weather misery.  We are supposed to get quite a bit of rain later today.  We are once again under a flash flood watch.  The Husband did manage to get the yard re-seeded and covered with straw so at least we may actually keep some of the grass seed from washing into the lake.  

So what’s a girl to do on a dreary weekend like this?  Knit, of course!

Now that I’ve finished most (but not all) of the knitting I planned to do for others for Christmas (yes, I’m THAT behind), I’ve decided to go on sort of a selfish knitting kick and make some things for myself that I’ve had my eye on.  I’ve already been on a sock kick and I just finished a pair of Hermione’s Everyday Socks in Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer, color Peacock.  

I wanted to try a sparkly yarn but didn’t want to make a huge investment until I knew whether I’d like them so Stroll was a good yarn to test it out on.  I’ve decided I really like a bit of shimmer and for my next sparkly project I’m going to order some Cosmic Blue Label Fingering from Tanis Fiber Arts.  Tanis Lavallee’s yarns are the perfect mix of squishy goodness in gorgeous colors.  I already have some Red Label Cashmere/Silk and some Pink Label Lace Weight in my stash.  Her designs are some of my favorites too.

Another selfish knitting project I started this past week is Wyeth by Alicia Plummer.  I’ve been wanting a good, toasty sweater to wear both at home and at work that was basic but with some nice detailing and I think Wyeth fits the bill.  I’m using Cascade 220 in Tan that I got on sale at my LYS.  I’ve seen and heard of Cascade 220 over and over but this is the first time I’ve used it and I have to say, I love it.  It is soft enough to the touch but is clearly sturdy enough to endure every day use which is exactly what I wanted in this sweater.  Can’t wait to see how this turns out!

What’s on your needles this weekend?

Lisa

xoxoxo