Finally... A FO!

Pattern: Ishbel Beret
Yarn: Handmaiden Casbah in a Black/Blue Colorway
Needles: Size US 2.5 Harmony DPNs/Size US 6 16" Addi Turbos & Clover Bamboo DPNs
Size: 22"
Mods: None!

I've been experiencing knitting ADD recently. I just keep starting projects and am unable to finish them. But now finally, I have a finished object. Its currently blocking over a plate (as shown in the picture). I must say that it is absolutely lovely and the pattern itself is so simple. Now I'm excited to actually make the Ishbel shawl, I'll just need to dig through my stash to find some yarn for it. I can't purchase anymore yarn, I'm still unemployed and I have bills to pay. Its a perfect opportunity to work on destashing.

Yesterday I started Bettie's Lace Stockings with some Rowan 4-ply Soft that I picked up. The pattern is fairly easy so far and is knitting up rather quickly. I went up to a size US 2.5 from a US 2 for the foot and I think I'll move to a US 3 for the calf increases. I have ginormous calves. I've been distracted from knitting by a book I've been reading. Who who know that the Goddess Summoning series by P.C. Cast would be so addicting. I'm reading them out of order, starting with Goddess of Light but I'm planning on ordering the rest of the series from Amazon. Hey I need books, I gotta have something to do while unemployed. I also purchased Cookie A's new book Sock Innovation. I can't wait for it to hit my mailbox.

Over the River & Through the Woods....

To grandmother's house I go! Well maybe not so much through the woods, but over lots of rivers. I'm off tomorrow to visit my grandmother in Missouri tomorrow. I hope to have lots of knitting accomplished by the time I return. I'll be sure to share.

I did finish one of my Woodsmoke socks today. I'm hoping I'll finish the other one while I'm gone and then complete another pair. We'll see! I'll see ya'll when I return.

Stitches West

So I'm a little late blogging about this event due to unforseen circumstances. It was last weekend and it was awesome! Minus missing a friend who was in town for the event because I had to work. I shouldn't complain, its something bring in a small amount of money while I look for full-time employment. Being unemployed sucks. Anyway...you don't want to hear my sob story. You want to see the loot. So I present to you:

The loot! My purchases consisted of 13 skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino in Amoroso to make a sweater (only one is pictured, its on the far right), 2 skeins STR lightweight, one Mill Ends and the other in Lenore, a skein of Schafer Yarns new yarn Nichole, a skein of Yummy sock yarn from Miss Babs, a stocking kit for the Marlaina stockings by White Lies Designs, and a ton of patterns. But the highlight of my purchases was:

A Jordana Paige bag! This is the Bella and I've been using it all this week and I absolutely love it. Its great for small projects like the socks I've been carrying around (pictures of those to come). While I was visiting Jordana's booth, I picked up one of her patterns for Landon. I have some Cascade 220 in my stash that will work excellently for it. But otherwise that was it. Photography in the market isn't allowed so no market photos. I didn't buy as much yarn as in previous years, but that's ok, I've still got tons that I need to get thorugh and my goal this year is to reduce some of my stash. I should have a few goodies coming in the mail soon that I'll be sure to share, as well as the projects I'm currently working on. Keeping up with blogging can be tiresome!

All I Can Say is One Word

STITCHES!!!!!

(More info to come very soon, once I get the pictures taken and uploaded)

Quidditch Round 1

1. What momentous event was the reason that the members of the Order of the Phoenix felt it necessary to move Harry out of the Dursley’s house?

a. The start of the new school year

b. The Dursleys kicking him out

c. Voldemort’s escape from Azkaban

d. Harry’s upcoming birthday

2. Who revealed the actual date of Harry’s transfer to Voldemort, despite the misinformation the Order had been spreading around that the move would occur on the eve of his actual birthday?

a. Mundungus

b. Snape

c. Yaxley

d. Shacklebolt

3. With the use of Polyjuice Potion (and to confuse any possible attack by Death Eaters), six member of the Order were disguised as Harry and escorted out of Privet Drive, along with the real Harry. Which member of the order did not survive that night?

a. Mad-Eye Moody

b. Nymp0hadora Tonks

c. Hagrid

d. George Weasley

4. Who informed Harry, Ron and Hermione of the bequests left to them in Dumbledore’s will?

a. Kingley Shaclebolt

b. Minerva McGonalgall

c. Arthur Weasley

d. Rufus Scimgeour

5. During the wedding celebration for Bill and Fleur, Kingley Shacklebolt sent a Patronus to tell the guests that the Ministry had fallen, Scrimgeour (the Minister) was dead and the wedding celebration was about to be attacked by Death Eaters. What form did the Patronus take?

a. A lynx

b. An otter

c. A doe

d. A stag

6. Escaping from the wedding to London, our three friends found themselves confronted by a pair of Death Eaters, disguised as workmen. This close brush impressed on them the need to find someplace to hide. Where did they decide to go?

a. The Leaky Cauldron

b. Sirius Black’s house

c. The Dursley’s house

d. Ron’s Auntie Muriel’s house

7. Kreacher’s animosity towards Harry, Ron and especially Hermione (a Mudblood) was well documented in book five, “The Order of the Phoenix.” His initial interaction with them showed that his attitude had not changed. How did they win him over?

a. By giving him clothes and his freedom

b. They didn’t win him over!

c. By giving him something to eat

d. By giving him Regulus Black’s old locket

8. Who did they eventually find was in possession of the locket/Horcrux?

a. Severus Snape

b. Lucius Malfoy

c. Lord Voldemort

d. Dolores Umbridge

9. What did Harry find embedded in the door of Umbrdige’s office?

a. Moody’s magical eye

b. Nymphadora’s purple hair

c. Hedwig’s head

d. George Weasley’s ear

10. After retrieving the Horcrux, they tried to return to their safe place but they were pursued (actually Yaxley tagged along when they disapparated). This meant that the Death Eaters knew their hiding place and they had to go somewhere else. Where did Hermione take them?

a. To Godric’s Hollow

b. To the Forbidden Forest

c. Back to the Burrow

d. To the site of the Quidditch World Cup

Pictures:
Mad Eye Moody
Nymphadora Tonks
No. 4 Privet Drive
Kreacher
George Weasley

Sssslytherin House Quiz # 2

1. Which housemate has an 11 ½ inch holly wand with a Dragon Heartstring core?
Bathilda Boomslang

2. Which housemate creates rockin’ sock patterns?
Emma Wigworthy

3. Which housemate has the hots for David Boreanez?
Cassandra Puddlemere

4. Which housemate used to be the top badger who made a habit of eating snakes?
Quinn

5. Which housemate shows off her awards from HSKS6 on her blog?
Madam Ferula Finnigan

6. Which housemate makes kicka* * cookies IRL?
Esme Beanswallow

7. Which housemate is a third year Slytherclaw, whatever the hell that means?
Callisto Verity

8. Which housemate wants Plymouth to make her feet happy?
Belladonna Boomslang

9. Which housemate is a knitting addict? (Ok, all of us, but one in particular.)
Me of course! The one and only Lily of Flitwick

10. Which housemate loves to sing?
Diana Lockhart

11. Which housemate has issues with muggle devices?
Ginny Crookshanks

12. Which housemate likes Darth HelloKitty?
Cecily Fortescue

13. Which housemate has a member of the family with his own fan club?
Queenie

14. Which housemate has never-ending PMS?
Olivia Gaunt

15. Which housemate originally comes from South New Joisey?
Penelope Caerphilly

16. Which housemate “adores” European chocolates?
Clara Clovenhoof

17. Which housemate has a roommate who seriously put a crimp in her communication abilities?
Rowena Weasley

18. Which housemate was fortunate enough to lose her HP husband?
Lavender Diggory-Dolohov

19. Which housemate likes some Nascar dude?
Andromeda Finch-Fletchley

20. Which housemate needs a new time-turner?
Ophelia Crookshanks

Its FO Friday!

Pattern: Queen of Beads by Sivia Harding

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight - My Blue Heaven

Needles: KnitPicks Harmony DPNs Size 1 (2.25mm)

Cast On Date: 1/30/09

Mods: I used the Italian Tubular Cast On to eliminate the need for waste yarn

Whoo Hoo! Its Friday! Its just pouring down rain outside, which is a little depressing. But to brighten my day, I finished my first pair of socks from the Rockin Sock Club. I got my first kit last week and I had to cast on immediately. I'm so happy with the way they came out. They'll have to be socks I wear around the house since I beaded them all the way to the toe, but with as much sock yarn as I have, I've got plenty to make socks for inside of my shoes. Its nice to have one pair that I can just prance around the house in. The yarn and beads are so pretty that I don't know if I'd want to take them out anyway. What's sad is that these are actually my first FO of 2009. I've had such knitting ADD problems recently. I just cast on a project, I knit it for awhile and then put it down and start something else. Its ridiculous. But I can't do that this month, I've gotta knit through as much stash as I can so I can buy a little more at Stitches West in 3 weeks!


To add to my joy, I also received my package from my Valentine Vampire Swap pal. She packed it full of goodies:

There were Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, lots of chocolate, heart socks and napkins, a keychain, a journal, some tea, and some wrapped presents all with a little bag to put it all in. Guess what was inside of those pretty packages:

There was a yummy scarf made out of Malabrigo I believe, a box of Earl Grey (which I am drinking as I type), a beautiful pattern, some soap made from Goat's Milk and Yummy yarn! It definitely made my evening.

I thank Ronnica for sending me the package. I love it!