Ramblings

I found the preview for the Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts special issue to be somewhat disappointing. I already own seven of the patterns that will be in there, since a lot of them are from old IK magazines or from their books. Really Interweave, I expected more from you. I'll still buy it, for the Floral Felted Bag pattern, but Melanie Falick's Handknit Holidays will remain my favorite source for holiday-themed patterns.

On a more cheerful note, I signed up for Socktoberfest! Sounds fun, doesn't it? (Button from here, I just changed the colors.)


And, some shawl progress...

The Harlot, Hollis, and a whole lot of knitters

My mom, my sister, and I went to see the Yarn Harlot on Saturday. We arrived in Los Altos about an hour before Full Thread Ahead would open, so I cast on for my second pair of Knucks while we were waiting. I was happily knitting away, when a muggle walked by and muttered to her companion, "What's with all the knitters?" (But since I wasn't supposed to hear that, I didn't try to explain.)

After getting our "zone" assignments, we grabbed some lunch before returning to FTA. (I must say, Hollis and her staff are great! They were very energetic and well organized.) I knew I wanted to buy some yarn, but was having some trouble deciding. I finally settled on some of Garnstudio's Camelia, in a dark blue. Quite honestly, the Norwegian on the label convinced me to buy it. I think it'll be good practice for my norskkurs (Norwegian class).

Thankfully, my mom and sister had grabbed some good seats in the fourth row while I was inside buying my yarn. Look at all those knitters...
















Since we still had about an hour before Stephanie would speak, I cast on for the Swallowtail Shawl with my new garn yarn (more blue lace!). The provisional cast on was trickier than it should have been, but I had forgotten to bring a crochet hook and some smooth waste yarn. So I made do with my fingers and a bit of Rowan Felted Tweed.

Hollis gave away lots of great prizes, and then it was time for Stephanie to talk.














I shall only say this: I loved it.

Then, I got to meet Stephanie in person. She is so sweet. Hollis was about to take this picture when I suddenly remembered--the sock!--and quickly grabbed it.














And then I went home to work some more on my shawl.

Sneak peek

I had a wonderful time meeting Stephanie and the sock on Saturday. Details coming on Wednesday, after I've taken a quiz and turned in two essays.

Is it Saturday yet?

My mom and I are going to see the Yarn Harlot on Saturday at Full Thread Ahead! I'm so excited! I'm still having trouble believing that they'll be shutting down part of the street so that we 400+ knitters can listen to Stephanie. (Four hundred!?!) I'm a little worried that I won't be able to meet the Harlot (and the sock) in person, because my mom (who doesn't quite understand what the fuss is about) wants us to leave there by 7:30. We'll just have to get there early and I'll hope for the best!

Before that, though, I need to decide what to take along to knit. At the moment, I don't have any works in progress that would be ideal--I'm almost done with my Embossed Leaves Socks and a Ninepatch Dishrag. My two other (rather neglected) projects are both scarves, which could be a bit cumbersome to take along.

So...should I start a second pair of Knucks?













Or maybe some ankle socks?













Buy some yarn there?

Do all of the above?

Right now I'm leaning towards the Knucks, but I wouldn't be surprised if I bought some yarn there and started some socks or a shawl. (I'll have to remember to take some patterns with me....) We'll see...