Stephanie Cake

So this weekend I went yarn store touring w/ mi mamacita. We went to The Yarn Lounge in Richmond (located in Carytown beside Luxor Vintage Clothing). I bought some Malabrigo there and a couple of pate d'verre buttons. They had a lot of Rowan yarns and I kept fondling the Cashcotton (soooooo soooooooft!)... I decided against buying any, and of course now I reeeaaaallly want some.

Our next stop was Holly Spring Homespun in Powhatan (approx 1/2 hour from Richmond). Here, we found lots of wonderful stuff including their own line of handpainted yarn. I bought some handpainted merino and handpainted silk/merino blend.

Dinner was Thai food back in The Burg and then we stopped by A.C. Moore for some beads (mom bought a beaded scarf pattern from The Yarn Lounge). I scored some Paton's Brilliant in lavender. After knitting those beaded bracelets, I'm really anxious to knit something bigger w/ beads. I also got a $10 Vera Bradley knock-off bag to use as a knitting bag (like I don't already have 12 or 35 "knitting bags").

Back home, I squeezed and fondled my new purchases and then pilaged mama's yarn stash and snagged some Knit Picks merino she'd bought awhile ago. She graciously gave up 2 skeins in the colorway "Geranium". Then I spent the evening winding my skeins and casting on the beaded evening bag w/ the Paton's Brilliant. And did I mention that I squeezed and fondled my yarn?

It was a great weekend with my mom. There's nothing like loving yarn with someone you love. :o)

See my Sexy, Sexy Yarn set on Flickr.

Top row, L to R: Crystal Palace Panda Cotton ("Red Cinnamon"), Scarlet Fleece Silk & Ivory ("Poodle Skirt"), WIP using Paton's Brilliant

Middle row, L to R: Scarlet Fleece Handpainted Merino ("Horizen"), a big hot yarn orgy, Malabrigo Kettle Dyed Merino ("Stonechat")

Bottom row, L to R: Blue Sky Alpaca Socks that Rock ("Foo Foo", "Fire on the Mountain" & "G-Rocks"), Socks that Rock closeup, Louisa Harding Kimono Angora

Labels: knitting

Not sure if its kosher to post pictures of what I sent my secret pal.... especially since all of our blogs are available for perusing. However, there are something like 600 blogs so something tells me the chance of her looking at mine and seeing what I sent her are slim to none!

So I posted some goodness to her today. I hope she likes it all!!! I have a bunch of other stuff planned - she seems like a really interesting person so I'm having fun thinking of fun stuff for her.

Well, off to PP. I'm taking the hoodie to work on.

Labels: knitting, swaps

So my SP 10 hostess has asked us, for fun, to post what we are currently working on. As luck would have it, I was already preparing such a post!

I've gone nuts lately. But of course we all know that knitting is more addictive than drugs PLUS all the new spring magazines are out so who can blame me, right? I just finished 3 projects - the pirate baby sweater, a pair of fingerless gloves and 2 beaded/knit bracelets. So, those successes have forced me to cast on 3 more projects - Connor's hoodie, a sweater from the Spring issue of IK and a baby hat.

Connor's Hoodie.... aka Kangaroo Duo from The Knitting Experience: Book Two (The Purl Stitch). This will be a test of stamina. There isn't much to this project other than the knit-in front pocket and the hood. Otherwise its just gobs of reverse stockinette. But this will be great for working on in front of the TV since I don't actually have to look at it to knit it! Hopefully I'll have it done before he starts college.




The Cable Down Raglan Sweater... from the Spring issue of Interweave Knits. This is a beautiful sweater. I cheaped out on the yarn since its my first "complicated" sweater... at least from my perspective... its still made out of wool but I decided not to invest in the Louet Gems Topaz that the pattern called for. I originally intended to get orange, coral or pink yarn for it but impatience forced me to go for what they had enough of! Its got a pretty diamond cable pattern and shaping that I think will be flattering on me.



The Upside Down Daisy Hat... from the Spring issue of BH&G's Knit It! This is totally an instant gratification thing. I just took the picture of the cast-on this afternoon and I'm almost done with it. I'm hoping to give it to my bro-in-law and his girl for their baby which is due in June. They are certain they are having a girl. I hope they're right or I'm gonna have to find another baby to give it to!



Along with these 3 projects are a couple of UFO's... 2 pairs of socks (1 of them ALMOST done.... really, I swear!) and a scarf that needs to be frogged so the yarn can be recycled.

Next on my drawing board are:

A shawl (a simple lace pattern in Spring IK that I'm hoping will help me actually get over my lace obstacles) - I have some perfect stash yarn for it.

A pair of socks for my SP 10 secret pal. She likes red and I got some Crystal Palace Panda Cotton (bamboo/cotton blend) in Cinnamon. Its got a little elastic in it so hopefully it will be nice for some summer socks.

A pair of fingerless gloves for my friend. She loves the ones I made back in the fall and I have enough Noro Silver Thaw yarn left over to make her a pair. Of course the relevance of the fact that its almost spring and she lives in Sacramento aren't lost on me... but who cares?! :o)

This is all so ambitious, no? I've been known to dream very big and accomplish very little. I've also been known to eschew food, showering, sleep and work in order to knit. I have confidence in my abilities. LOL!!!!!

Labels: knitting, on the needles, projects

I got my SP 10 partner... SO EXCITED for this one!!!!! My hostess (there are like 10 of them I think) is really on top of things, I wasn't expecting to hear from her so soon. Names are supposed to be out by this Friday... and they have 600+ participants. Holy Moly!!!

For my partner.... I created a link over there to the questionnaire ===>
Look at the top/right side beside the picture of little moi. I also have another questionnaire posted because I'm participating in another exchange. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! :o)

Labels: knitting, swaps

Whee! I love swaps and exchanges!

1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
I seriously heart plain old superwash merino. Cashmere blends, of course, are also very nice. I love hand painted yarns because it is fun to see how the colors knit up.


2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
I recently found that I really don’t like to knit acrylic, after knitting a baby sweater – it splits and looks crappy. 100% cotton has given me grief too. But to be honest, I love any kind of yarn that is pretty and would give just about anything a chance!


3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Squeeze and fondle the cashmere and angora blends. Or else run to the first bright color that catches my eye. Then touch everything else. THEN remember why I went there in the first place.


4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
I love to sew (total fabric whore!) and make jewelry (I’m a classically trained silversmith). I make mixed media art quilts and mixed media silver jewelry. I also love collage, assemblage and photography.


5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Somerset Studio, Art Jewelry, ReadyMade, Bust


6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:Knitting / Crochet / Other Craft / Food / Home / Fashion / Celebrity Gossip / Garden
1.) Other craft / Knitting
2.) Food / Home(Only buy these when something really catches my eye)
3.) Fashion / Celeb / Garden (I don’t really read or buy these)


7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
I’ll try just about anything! My current WIP’s include: a knitted hoodie for my son, a baby sweater, a couple of pairs of socks, some free form stuff to use in an assemblage and a pair of hand warmers for a friend.
I also like to knit stuff to be felted – purses, etc. I’m not a big crocheter but I made a few amigurumi around the holidays and would love to find some interesting patterns for more of those.


8. Are you allergic to anything?
Nuts. (walnuts, hazelnuts (filberts) & pecans especially)


9. What do you like to smell of?
Citrus scents (grapefruit, bergamot, tangerine) and English lavender.


10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Napping and reading… and, although I know it sounds clichéd… knitting. When I’m super stressed out I knit a few rows on my least demanding work in progress.


11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
Oh gosh. That would be a very difficult choice – I’m certain I could find something wonderful in all those places. Probably the old fashioned bakery.


12. What do you come out with?
Brownies, fudge and cupcakes with thick buttercream frosting (or anything chocolate-y and nut-free for that matter!). Yum!


13. Where do you go next?
The Italian café, or course. What goes better with brownies and cupcakes than espresso??? Altho… a cuppa Earl Grey from the tea room might be nice too…


14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
I have no idea what to put here. I love surprises and I love swaps (it’s all about the joy of getting mail!!). This is only my 2nd knitting related swap but I’ve participated in a lot of other craft/mail/art swaps. I’m eternally grateful to swap partners who put a lot of thought into what they send – handmade items, regional treats, a little piece of themselves, etc. Several of my swap partners have become friends. :o)

Labels: knitting, swaps

Yay! A new swap op! (hardeeharhar) My mom sent me the link to the Knitters Treat Exchange - a one time secret pal swap. Based on the swaps I've seen thus far, knitters are far better swappers than some of the other exchanges I've been involved in so I'm excited about this one.

Its the small things in life that make the difference. A thoughtful piece of mail from a stranger can really make your day.

Labels: knitting, swaps

Today has been a day of shitty movie watching. I have about 100 things I want to do and about 800 things I NEED to do but alas....

I also hate the fact that day light savings time is here. I love it in the summer when the sun is up until 8:30 at night but its a rough adjustment in the spring. And especially this year since its 3 weeks early and its not even officially spring yet and we got snow last week. UGH.

I am looking forward to the Secret Pal 10 names being distributed this week and not having to go to PP. And its St. Patty's Day next Saturday. Maybe something fun will happen.

I did take some pictures of myself today. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my hair looked really good. Courtesy of getting dressed up to go out last night and then not going.

So I went out with my friend Thurs night (@ PP). We hadn't done anything together in a long time and we had a great time, altho it was brief because we had to work in the morning. We made plans, along with some other ppl, for him to come up to Baltimore and go out tonight.

I called him yesterday on my drive home and confirmed since he is notorious for flaking. He assured me all was a go, he had rented a car to come up and everything and he would be here by 9 and he would call me on the way up. So I'm all excited today, I got things squared away with Connor and I was dressed all pretty....

And then he didn't call. So I called him. No answer. So I waited an hour and called again. No answer. So I waited another hour and called again. No answer. Finally I called a mutual friend @ PP who tells me that he decided not to go because he wasn't feeling well.... and didn't he call me this morning when he told everyone else??

So I called his room. He finally answered and simply wasn't apologetic enough. Ordinarily I would have felt bad for waking him up when he is sick. Not this time. I don't think he suffered enough. I don't mind that he decided not to come. I totally understand. I would have been disappointed and all but no big deal. Stuff happens. But it soooo hurts my feelings that he neglected to call me. If I hadn't been a pest I would still be waiting in my cute outfit for someone who is never going to show up. I would never do something like that to one of my friends.

I think I seriously need to reevaluate my relationships with quite a few of my friends. Don't get me wrong. I have a couple of great friends. Veneese and Isabel are about as solid as you can get. They never let me down. But I am continually let down by most of the rest of them. I have enough abandonment issues because of my father. I really don't need it from the people I make the choice of letting into my life.

I reeeeeeaaaalllly hate Mondays. I shouldn't complain tho. I haven't done jack today. Well, that's not really true but it hasn't been a banner day for accomplishments either.

This weekend was a relief. I didn't give it more than a nod here earlier but my mom had to have a heart catheterization (sp??) on Friday. I went and spent the weekend with her since she couldn't drive afterwards and wasn't allowed to lift anything. Luckily they didn't find anything and she's all ok but I guess it was weighing kind of heavily on my mind.

I've got all but one sleeve done on the pirate baby sweater. Well, that and the neckband, but that should go quickly. I'm proud of myself that I've knitted a sweater! I'm moving on to a knitted hoodie for Connor next. I found a pattern that I like and need to hold him down and measure him. Maybe I'll get it knitted before its summer-time.

Damn the digital cable... I watched 200 Cigarettes today. That is such a funny movie. I totally forgot that Paul Rudd was in it. I ♥ Paul Rudd.