What was I thinking?

Does everyone pause in the middle of remodeling and wonder "just what the hell was I thinking?" ? Truly? Three days in and we are seeing more layers. Even a little 70's paneling. Oh, yeah, baby. I am scared that if I dig too far I may find some smokey mirrors. heh. Must keep my mind on the finished outcome, right? If all else fails I can knit some wallpaper, I suppose.




I thought I would add insult to injury and start my Red Hot Sizzling Socks...since the deadline was extended to July 15. Yea! I had such good intentions. Even created an impossible design. But, alas, my startitis got the best of me. I did cast on tho, and it will another pair of Pomatomus socks in Slayer by Sweet Georgia Yarns. It is a really cool, or should I say hot, colorway. Reds, wines and some purples thrown in.















And of course, my SODAWL update. Love this yarn. Tried to order more, but got no reply. That seems really strange, so I may try to call it in tomorrow. I need to get one more ball in each because it seems as if I may run short. If not, no problem, but better safe than sorry.

Now you see it.....

Now you don't.



Kind of. I am just learning about wallpaper removal as you can see. We've lived with this wallpaper for a year now and I finally could take it no longer. In a fit of flower induced mania, I started ripping. And ripping. Two hours later this is what I had. Pity forced V. to go to the store and bring back wallpaper remover and various other items said to make this process easier. I will let you know. My desire for this kitchen gone hallucinogenic-garden is something like this. I love the color and the texture for a kitchen......now what to do with this green counter top.......

Here is the Season of Darkness and Winter Light progress. This pattern is so much fun I am barely working on anything else. The pattern emerges so quickly that it is hard to put down. Just one more row.....I have had to switch to two circulars because it is now the dreaded girth of an arm with all of the decreases. You know how much I hate working on arms. Mandy has ordered yarn and is getting ready to start hers in the original colors. It is going to be fabulous. I also didn't like the original colors but have now decided that I do like them. They are subtle and beautiful and I bet will look even better in person. She has a great entry on the season of darkness.

What is this?

I've been holding out on you. I got my Rauma Yarn from Arnhild and I have already swatched and started on a Season of Darkness and Winter light. Check it out. The colors are more true to life on the piece rather than the pics of the yarn. The Rauma is wonderful to work with. Nice firm fabric which is just what I want for this design so the jacket hangs well. Shouldn't be too drapey. Is that a word? Mandy is ordering her yarn right away so we will have a couple of colorways going in tandem. This should be really fun. Glad we're doing this together, Mandy!

Sneaky

This is what happens when you turn your back for one second. She is amazing at waiting patiently for the right moment. She doesn't forget although she may pretend she has. She might even drag a toy over there to show you she has forgotten about that thing you have told her no to so many times. Then finally you look away for a second. She pounces.


Here is a progress shot of the sleeve...yes...first sleeve...just to prove I *am* working on it. It is actually moving a little faster now. I am finally getting the hang of the Russian Joint and I really like the result.



And a pic of the inside of the body.



My yarn for the Norsk Strkkedesign sweater should be here any time. There may be a slight color problem, but I will know right away. I want the cable and one of the inside colors to be a perfect match. If not, I may have to resort to something else, but I really hope this works out. I am looking forward to trying out the Rauma yarns.

Now...there's a winery event I must attend to today if you will all excuse me for a while. (hiccup)

World Cup Socks

Well, they are finished just in the nick of time! Germany is still in the running and I brought them no bad luck by not finishing before the start of the games. Whew! What pressure. Now I can get to my regularly scheduled tortu...I mean....knitting of arms.
I have decided to order yarn for the Norsk Strikkedesign cover sweater Season of Darkness and Winter Light. No, I won't tell you what colors. :0) You will have to wait and find out....plus the scheme may not be working out and I can't handle the laughter. ;0) Mandy is going to be knitting along with me on hers as well. It'll be nice to have the company and we can whine over enlarging and reversing the miniscule charts together. Thanks, Mandy!!

Never come home empty handed.

Well, I went home to visit a little and wha did I find? I find that I can't go home and not buy yarn. :0) Hmmm, what's this? And what is it intended to become?



A little update on the arm situation. A little progress, but not much. I find myself dreaming of new projects already, but I will persevere. I love the juxtaposition of the two colorways together. The yarns are so very different. The Luskentyre is J & S and the Rhinegold is VY, so there is a huge difference in the hand of the yarn as well as the gauge. The Virtual Yarns is a little more bulky and softer. It is absolutely luscious to work with. The Jamieson and Smith is a finer yarn. To my eye and hand it is slightly finer than Jamieson and Campion, which I find to be interchangable. I used Jamieson on Saga Rose and Jamieson and Campion on Mary Tudor. The color selection of J&S is fabulous and it should bloom really well once it is blocked. We will wait and see. Anyone else want to chime in?



Here are the heels on the German World Cup socks. Almost done. They have been getting the most attention since the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Besides, I was warned that if Germany lost before these socks were finished, it is all my fault. Who can live with that kind of pressure? ;0)

Sockapalooooza!!!!

They're here! They're here! And look at my presents. My sock pal went above and beyond and gifted me with these lovely socks (in my favorite color no less) and yarn and a really neat card of women soldiers knitting. It looks like Italy WWII. Very wonderful. Thank you so much, Pam!!! I am in awe of your generosity. I hope your sock pal gifted you as well as you gifted me. :0)


























I have also been doing a little on Luskentyre...but look who also came out to play. I seem to be in exactly the same spot on both. Oh, God, it's the arms. I must push onward, for I have some new projects brewing and I refuse to start until I have at least one of these done, if not both. Still looking at Norsk Strikkedesign and also another Starmore or two...but a little different than a Fair Isle. Piqued anyone's interest?