Work in Progress Wednesday 118

Hi everyone! I don't want to get into politics on this blog, but I just wanted to thank those of you who took the time out to vote yesterday in the US. It's a right AND a privilege to vote and I'm always so proud to be handed my I VOTED sticker. I also wanted to say congrats to President Obama on his re-election!

Now onto yarnie goodness:

I had a great time Sunday with my knitting group. I have to say, I was a little disappointed in the fiber festival this year. I think it was much better last year and felt a little cheated that I paid to get in. I did get one thing I wanted! I got a 2.5mm ChiaoGoo needle! I've always wanted to try these and 2.5mm is my favorite size for socks. I picked a 32" cable for it, as I (as you all know) love magic loop. I also got a skein (I know, I know!) of Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in a colorway exclusive to a shop in Manhattan Beach, CA, Twist! I couldn't resist an exclusive colorway.

You haven't seen this shawl in awhile! This is my Quaker Ridge Shawl out of Tosh Sock in Worn Denim. I was hoping to get beads at the show for the beaded bind off, but the bead booth that was there last year wasn't there this year! I was so bummed. I have two more repeats left and then I think I'll just have enough yarn for the bind off. I love it so far!

These are the Candy Skein November' 12 colorway, Pumpkin Pie, socks I'm making for my husband! I haven't had a chance to work on them too much, as you can see, but I'm almost finished with the first cuff. I really like how it's coming along so far and I hope he will too. He still doesn't know I'm working on it yet!

Last but not least, I have a new hobby. I know, like I need something else on my plate! I recently got the itch to learn how to cross stitch again. Last time I did so, I was probably 10 years old and the only patterns out there were old lady looking patterns. Obviously that wasn't my style when I was 10, and it isn't now! There are some amazing patterns out there for cross stitch now! Who knew!? This is The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery Kawaii Winter Wonderland mystery cross stitch. I couldn't resist. Obviously I'm behind as I've (almost, I just need to add the snow in the globe) finished day 1. I LOVE it so far, but I will say, cross stitch is INTENSE! I was actually SORE this weekend from it and I realize when I do it I don't breathe! LOL I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you, as it's not knitting or crochet.

That's it for me today. I hope you have a great rest of your week!



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A Trip to a Fiber Fest!

As I promised, I'm finally getting around to write about my knitting group's (or some of us) trip to a fiber fest in Torrance, CA a few weekends ago. We all decided to get an early start, as we were driving about an hour and 45 minutes to get there. Of course, the weather decided not to cooperate, as it was pouring rain on the way there, but we got to the event safe and sound. I have to say, this was my first fiber fest I'd been to, other than the Vista Fiber Fiesta in which I had a booth. It was nice to walk around and not have the stress of having to sell my own yarn, though I do plan to try to have a booth next year.

We weren't sure just how big the event would be, and when we first walked in, we weren't very impressed. My first impression was a hoarder's house, as the "booths" (and I use that term VERY lightly) just had bins and bins of fiber, weaving items, books and yarn piled up on the floor and tables. Luckily, we found out it was several other rooms, so we took our first thoughts with a grain of salt to start. Luckily we weren't disappointed with the rest of the show. As we went, there were booths/companies we were very excited to see. Some of the yarn was SO pretty, it was hard to resist...and so I couldn't! I took quick pictures of what I bought, yarn wise at the show.

I picked up a skein of sock yarn from Bee Mice Elf (pictured above). She's mostly known for her fiber, but since I don't spin, I figured I'd try a skein of her yarn. I haven't used it yet, but it sure is pretty!

Another dyer I was impressed with was Chameleon Colorworks. I was lucky enough to get a skein of her Bambino sock yarn. It has a beautiful shine to it and is so soft. I can't wait to use this as well. The new year can't come soon enough!

I also bought two project bags (sorry, no pictures of those right now), one for socks that has the traditional MGM monsters on it, and one for larger projects, which has yarn guides. I LOVE it for my Rhombi sweater, since I'm going back and forth between two cakes of yarn. The larger one have little sheep knitting on it. SOOO cute. I promise to take a picture of both of them at a later time.

One last thing I bought were beads. Now, I've never beaded a knitted item but I couldn't resist these. They are a black matte finish, but have a rainbow effect of gold when the light hits it. Oh yeah, and they're SQUARE! So awesome. I might use my skein of Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Midnight Mousse with the beads. Maybe a scarf? If you have any pattern ideas, let me know!

After the show, we decided to grab lunch. Luckily, the weather had changed at this point, and though it was cold, the sun was shining. Since it wasn't too late, we decided to hit up one of my favorite LYS in Southern California, Alamitos Bay Yarn Company in Long Beach, CA. I don't get their often, as it's about 1 1/2 hours from home, so it was fun to visit. I was the only one in the group to have shopped at the store, so it was a treat for everyone. We got there right before they closed, but they were generous enough to stay open past their closing time. I couldn't walk out without buying something, and they had this amazing sample blanket made out of Frog Tree Merino Worsted. Since I couldn't stop fondling the blanket, I figured I needed a few skeins. Again, NO clue what I'm going to do with two lonely skeins of blue worsted yarn, but I had to have them. Any ideas of pattern, again, I'd be grateful!



After our shopping splurge, we figured we needed to take a picture to document all of our fun. We pulled a poor guy aside to take our picture. The LYS is on a beautiful bay, so we wanted to get the water in the picture.

From left to right: Me, Terri, Miki, Christi and Elizabeth

That's our trip! Overall, we had an amazing day and even got home in time to beat the last part of the rain storm! I'm so glad we decided to trek up there, and I hope we do it again!