Outragous!

I try not to go off topic here, after all it is a knitting blog, but today, I can't help it.

Have you heard the story of Julie Amero? I must be living under a rock, because I didn't have any idea who she was until today when I read about her on Scout's blog.

Julie Amero is a school teacher. A school teacher who is facing up to forty years in jail because pornographic pop up ads popped up in front of her class.

I'll admit it, I was skeptical. I often am, because I don't want to ignore all of the information and make the wrong decision, or back somebody up who is morally wrong. But the more I read, the more angry I became that something like this could happen.

Don't take my word for it, google Julie Amero. There's a plethora of links to check out.

Here's a link to donate to Julie's defense fund. I did. I hope if this outraged you as much as it did me, you'll consider donating as well.

In knitting news, I haven't gotten very far on my second sock. i'm still excited about it, but as it's mindless knitting, I've decided to hold off on it for the time being. I'll be bringing it to NYC this weekend so I have something to do while sitting in on panels or waiting in line at Comic Con, or in the car on our way there and back.

It's not just that. I'm also completely engrossed in The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. My tastes in literature have varied considerably through out the years, but I never thought I'd find myself reading historical fiction. I can't get enough of this book, I can't put it down!

And to further distract you from my lack of knitting content, here's some pictures of Peaches! It's so hard to leave that cute little puppy face and go back to work after stopping home at dinner time to check on her.

Secret Pal Ten

Here are the answers to the SP10 Questionnaire:

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I'm a natural fiber kind of gal. I tend to stay away from acrylic, and novelty type yarns. I also can't stand course, itchy wools like Lopi. I prefer my yarn soft! My favorite yarns to knit with include but are not limited to: Socks that Rock, Great Adirondack Soxie & Silky Sock, Noro Silk Garden, Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a wine bottle holder that I store my straights in, and a felted box for my circs.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about three years. I'm intermediate. I have yet to knit a sweater, but love knitting lace and socks.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes. I have an amazon wishlist, and a wishlist at wishlist.com. Just look me up by my name!

5. What's your favorite scent?
I tend to enjoy food scents, butter cream frosting, any kind of fruit. I tend to stay away from florals as most of them make me sneeze.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but every once in a while I tend to crave chocolate. I don't have a favorite candy.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin. I have in the past dyed my own yarn, dabbled into scrapbooking, cross stitching and embroidery, but knitting is what I love most.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listen to pretty much anything, but really enjoy classic rock. The who, Billy Joel, Queen, etc... My computer plays mp3's.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite colors change pretty regularly. Right now, I'm really drawn to reds, and greens, but separately. I don't like the two together. I'm not a huge fan of fluorescent, or of yellow, or orange. I'm also not a huge fan of variegated pastel baby yarns. Just not my style.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have one dog, Peaches and one cat Mittens. I live at home with my parents and my brother.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, and mittens, but not ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I'm on a huge sock kick right now. I can't get enough of them. I also enjoy scarves. They're relatively quick, but can be as fancy or as plain as you want.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Actively, I'm knitting my first pair of socks, a Clapotis scarf and the Shetland Triangle Shawl from Scarfstyle.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I've been using nothing but circs lately. I love addi's (can't wait to try out their new lace needles), and knit picks options for magic loop and lace knitting. My straights are bamboo but all of my circs are metal.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, I do not.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I'm really not sure. Not too old, as once I decide I'm not going to knit something anymore, I frog it. Better to use the yarn for something I will finish!

18. What is your favorite holiday?
New Years Eve. It's the one day out of the year, all of my friends and I spend together.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn. But don't we all?

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have any subscriptions, but do like both Interweave and Vogue Knitting. I've been eyeing up some sock books [Favorite Socks, More Sensational Knitted Socks, Knitting Vintage Socks.] and of course any of the Barbara Walker Treasuries. As far as yarn, I'm always dying for more Socks that Rock.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I've been thinking about teaching myself to knit socks on two circs. Right now, I use the magic loop method.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter. I wear an 8.5 shoe. If you want actual measurements, just ask.

23. When is your birthday?
June 4th.

Friday! Finally.

I couldn't be happier that it's Friday. Tax season seems busier this year than it was last year, and I desperately need a little time away from the office this weekend!

On to the knitting, this is after all a knitting blog!

For Christmas, knitxcore gave me a hank of Socks That Rock in the Xmas Rock colorway. I loved it. The colors are colors I would never even consider putting together, but I guess that's why the ladies over at Blue Moon Fibers Arts are making the big bucks dying yarn rather than me!

I started a toe up, 2 x 2 ribbed sock. I can't wait for these to get finished. They're so crazy and obnoxious. In a good way of course! [My apologies for the crappy quality pic, I snapped it with my cell phone late last night.]


For those of you wondering, the Falling in Love socks are currently on hold. I made much progress since the last photo I shared. A few inches past the heel. But I also royally screwed them up. I made the mistake of knitting and chatting in public and completey screwed up where I was in the lace pattern, without realizing it until it was way too late. The sock still lives. Joe saved it from being frogged by pleading it's case and suggesting I keep it around for a bit before I decide it's fate.

I probably will be frogging it though. I love the pattern, it's well written, and really pretty, but I don't like the yarn I'm using much. It hurts my hands to knit with it. I'm thinking of restarting in a silk/wool blend sock yarn instead.

Of course, thanks to Beth's brilliant idea, I can now buy all the (sock) yarn I desire and not feel guilty about it!



Perfect timing too as my LYS is having an anniversary sale this weekend!

Speaking of brilliant, did you guys see this? Addi came out with new Lace knitting needles, as a response to over 1000 emails from knitters. I was one of those knitters! Guess that means I'm obligated to place my order ASAP.

All you need is love.

Happy Valentines Day! I'm not normally a big fan of the day, after all, love isn't something you celebrate one day out of the year, it's something you celebrate everyday. To me, love is the little things, those sweet unselfish little moments that make me feel truly special.

Love is making room in a drawer for her to keep some knitting at your place, so that she doesn't have to cart it back and forth on a regular basis.

Love is having the Battlestar Galactica comic book added to your pull list at the comic book store because you know she'll love it.

Love is telling her about a scrapbooking store, and then offering to take her and her best friend there, because you know they'll enjoy it.

Love is coming over after she has surgery, even though all she's going to do afterwards is sleep through your visit.

Love is unexpectedly bringing her a cup of coffee at work when she's having a stressful day.

Love is warming up her car and cleaning it off when it snows in the morning, even though you don't have to be up that early.

What does love mean to you?

Sock it to me!

I tired sock knitting once. It was back during the Knitting Olympics. I choose my pattern [Jaywalkers] and two hanks of Lorna's Laces I had laying around and gave it my best shot.

I turned the heel, and that's where I stopped. The sock, it just laid there, making me feel guilty, until one day I realized I was never going to finish it, and I was most certainly never going to make it a mate. So I frogged it. And then I got rid of all of my sock yarn. Except of course for the one hank dyed for me in dye-o-rama.

I was happy with my sock knitting strike. I thought I could go my entire life, never knitting another sock again. But then I saw the Falling in Love Socks.

And then I realized I had that exact yarn sitting in my stash.

So I cast on.

And after two days, I'm addicted to sock knitting.


Can anyone see the mistake? I realized it as I was snapping this picture... I crossed the cable incorrectly on the left side a few rows back.

I can't wait to see them finished! But, it's probably going to be a while. Tax season has severly cut into my knitting time.

Just what I needed.

With all the huge projects I have on the needles, and all of the projects I'm currently working on being gifts for other people, I needed a quick little something for myself.

I found it in Fetching.

This project was quick. The pattern boasts that if you cast on after work on Friday, by Sunday night, you'll have a new pair of hand warmers. In my case, I had them by Saturday night.


The specs:

Pattern: Fetching, free from knitty.com
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, just over one ball, Colorway #103.
Needles: US# 5 Clover dpns.
Techniques/changes: Cabled without a cable needle. Also, skipped the Picot Bind off, and just bound off in pattern.
Notes: I love this pattern. The yarn, worked at a tighter gauge than usual, works up wonderfully squishy and warm. The cables double as not only a decorative point, but also take the place of shaping. The pattern itself is simple enough to knit while watching TV, or chatting, but isn't so mindless and boring that I got frustrated and didn't want to start the second one. I'll be knitting this one again in the future!