Knit Knitty Knit!

If you know my quilty/crafty side, you probably know that I'm itching to learn how to knit.  I have no good explanation for why I haven't started stitching yet, but I've been shopping a lot prepping well for the day I start!

I believe I have plenty of crap knitting supplies to work with and want to keep shopping do NOT need anything else!  I've got enough yarn for at least 1 large scarf (2 100g skeins), and 5 pair of socks!  Some of the yarn meant for socks may go for a hat, fingerless gloves, or something else.  I'll get to that later.

So, here is the loot I've collected over the past few weeks, as well as some stuff I already had.  Some may be crappity crap crap, and some is really nice quality stuff (most of the yarn, especially!).

I'll start with the stuff I got today at a yarn shop in Portland, Oregon, called Twisted.  I always feel embarrassed walking into a shop because I'm basically saying "I don't know what the heck I'm doing, but here is what I think I may be looking for," then proceed to ask a bunch of questions...  However, the two women working in the shop were really nice and I didn't feel like they were annoyed with my questions, which was good.

The green yarn is "Piquant Lite" by Hazel Knits, and the color is called Euphorbia.  It is 90% superwash merino/10%nylon.
The orange yarn is "Entice," also by Hazel Knits, and the color is called Carnelian.  It is 70% superwash merino/10%nylon/20%cashmere.
The little bee stitch & butterfly markers, and the Queen Bee measure tape are by Lantern Moon, and the shawl pin was made by a Portland company called Plover Designs.

Aren't those stitch markers which I have NO CLUE how to use adorable!!!???

And the Queen Bee measure tape (black tab on the side is where you pull the tape from)!!

I have a small addiction for "bee" stuff - my family nickname is "Bea," but I still associate it with "bee," although I know that is absurd.  Oh well, I still like fun bee stuff (not "junk")!

This just shows different lighting on the yarn.  I will save these to make socks!

On 2/14/2013, I went to Seattle with DH to shop while he had a work luncheon and meeting.  I had to check out Bad Woman Yarn, solely for the name!  It just sounds sassy - in a fun way, and I love that.  

This next photo shows the two skeins of yarn (same color, although they look different) and the needles I bought at this shop.  The owner of the shop let me know that I would NOT be making socks as my first knitting project, but that I would be making a scarf.  Oh really?!?!??  haha!  Talk about sassy!  However, she's the expert, so I agreed and bought two 100g skeins so that I could make a larger project.

The yarn is Rios, by Malabrigo, and the color is "archangel."  It's "pure" merino superwash.  Just gorgeous!  I hope it's not going to be itchy, but it feels really soft to the fingers.

I love the description found on the tag: "Rio means "river" in Spanish.  Malabrigo Rios is named after the four major rivers in Uruguay: Rio Cuareim, Rio Uraguay, Rio del la Plata, and Rio Negro.  Each river is represented by one ply. These plies twist together like winding rivers.  Rios also signifies the yarn's washability; for millennia, rivers have provided water for washing garments."

Oh, and those are "Ka" bamboo knitting needles.  I know next to nothing about knitting, but I can still say these needles feel good in the hands.

I went to Creative Beginnings on 2/16/2013.  They're located in Seaside, Oregon and have a variety of crafty goods - beads & yarn seem to be the main themes, though.  I bought these two gorgeous Noro yarns there.    

This is Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn in color #304.  It is 40% lambs wool/25% silk/25%nylon/10%kid mohair.  The second photo shows some more of the colors that you see in the middle of the skein.  You can also see little tiny bits of white wire-y "hairs" sticking out of the yarn.  I have no idea what this is - the silk?  The mohair?  

 This Noro is "Kureyon" sock yarn in color #S95.  It is 70% wool/30%nylon.  This one is much "itchier" than the silk garden yarn.  I will probably not make socks from this yarn.  Maybe I'll make a small scarf instead.  I only got one skein, so it can't be very big/long.  Again, the second photo shows more of the yellow color(s).  This color way reminds me of the wine country!

This is just some random needle stuff that I already had (sans the 2 packets of short & tiny bamboo needles.  Those are new).  This is my knitting needle "stash."  I've had most of this stuff for many many years.  Maybe I'll finally be using it.  

My friend Melissa gave me this book, Stitch 'N Bitch - by Debbie Stoller about a month ago.  I haven't used it quite yet, but it looks to be very nicely written and easy to follow.  I will definitely be using it in the near future!

This is just some cheap inexpensive Heart & Sole yarn by Red Heart.  The color, #3965, is Razzle Dazzle.  It is another that is 70% super wash and 30% nylon.  I love the color and each 50g skein will make one sock.  I know I have a lot to learn, but I wonder what the difference is between this "cheap" 70:30 blend yarn, and the 70:30 Noro that is 2x as expensive (per 100g)?

I don't have a photo, but I ordered a All-n-One loom to try. I think it will be much easier to learn the basics of knitting on a loom, vs. on needles.  That should arrive probably later this week.  I can't wait!  

I look forward to making socks in the future - both for DH and myself!

Show Us Your Socks!

Ok, it's Thursday Sock Day, and I'm linking up to Judy L @ Patchwork Times!

This is the 2nd pair of socks made for me by my sister-in-law, and very good friend, Carol.  I bought the yarn in Alaska.  Carol and I were there on a stop while on a quilter's cruise (so fun!!!) in May/June of 2011.  I love them!  They're a bit stretched out, though, because I've had them on for awhile.

Update from last week: I have purchased some needles and yarn.... Next step - find a class and take the time to start my knitting lessons!

Come on over to Judy's blog & SHOW US YOUR SOCKS!!!  

Show Us Your Socks!

Judy L. at Patchwork Times does a weekly linky blog where people show their socks.

So, guess what - I'm joining in the fun.

 The socks I'm wearing today are a pair that my husband's sister made for me a few years ago.  I bought the yarn, and this is what I received in the mail a month shortly after!  LOVE these socks!  She's made 2 pair for me.  Now, after seeing all of the socks Judy made last year (13 pair!!!!!!), I've finally decided to take the plunge.  I hope to take a knitting class in the next month.  :)

Linking up to the Patchwork Times!

Knitting Envy ~ I'm Guilty!

I have been following a blog, Patchwork Times, by Judy Laquidara, for about fifteen months now. Judy is a quilter, book writer, knitter, gardener, cook, canner extraordinaire, chicken Mama, and many other things. Judy is extremely inspiring, as I've recently drastically cut my work hours and am home more. I read her blog and can't imagine how she manages to do all she does. I LOVE her chicken & husband stories, I want to meet her dog, and I want to emulate her sock-making abilities!

I decided a couple of evenings ago, after reading Judy's most recent blog postings, that I NEED to learn how to knit socks! She made 13 pair in 2012, and every pair look so comfy! Most were colorful, and I think each pair was in a different knit pattern. Love love love!!! I'm not sure why I've been "nervous" to learn. Is it because I won't be able to figure it out? Or, maybe because I'm afraid I'll feel challenged at first, learn what I need to know, and then the challenge goes away and takes my desire to knit with it? I tend to be more afraid of the latter... I don't want to go out and buy a ton of stuff (like I "might" have done before with other crafts), and then not use it. I saw a friend today, and I mentioned my desire to learn to knit. I didn't realize (errrr - "remember") that she used to knit. I mentioned Judy's blog, and all of her 2012 socks, and how I want to learn how to make socks. My friend proceeded to give me the book "Stitch 'N Bitch," by Debbie Stoller, as well as a "Baby Knits Kit," by Sara Lucas, that has 20 super cute projects, mostly (but not all) for baby.

I've been reading some of the Stitch 'N Bitch book and have learned about needle and yarn size/weight, and some other basic stuff. Haven't tried anything with yarn yet. I had told my DH ("dear husband") the other night that I was thinking of learning how to knit, and taking a class to do so, and there's a chance he might even join me!! His sisters had actually taught him, or "started" teaching him, how to make socks several years ago. Maybe we will make socks together! One can wish! :)