Work in Progress Wednesday 203

Hi everyone! Look, two weeks in a row!!  I'm back in the swing of things and working hard in the heat of the summer. I actually just returned from a knitting/cross stitch/craft retreat in Lake Tahoe. It was an amazing experience. I had so much fun and it was awesome to be surrounded by like minded people for 4 days.

We got to visit and tour Jimmy Beans Wool as some of you know who follow my Instagram feed (@candyskein). I'll hopefully have more time to tell you about it at a later time and share more pictures that weren't posted to Instagram.

A few of us at the retreat have been working on a special project, a kit that combines all of our businesses. In the kit you receive an exclusive colorway skein of yarn from both Candy Skein (which is me) and Black Market Wool (which is owned by my friend Rijel). Two patterns are also included, both designed with the two skeins of yarn that is included, one a sock and the other a shawl. The patterns are designed by Meaghan from Unapologetic Knitter. On top of all that, you also receive an AMAZING bag made by Stephanie (@befedee on Instagram) who is just starting a bag making company. I have to say, this has to be the nicest knitting bag I know own. It's HUGE (and fits both skeins of yarn PLUS. In fact, it fits my Sock Yarn Blanket AND scraps) and has a nice thick interfacing so it stands up on its own and can be used as a yarn bowl when knitting in the wild.

The exclusive fabric, with a logo that combines all of our companies and looks awesome, was designed by SeaandLake. The kits are on sale now for only $99 at blackmarketwool.com!

As far as what I worked on at the retreat, I didn't want to have to pay attention to a pattern or where I was in the knitting, so I worked on my Sock Blanket! A few of us brought yarn scraps so we could share. I think what I love most about this blanket is having different squares from different people, as well as the memory of knitting them. For example, I'll always remember where I know the 12 squares I finished during the retreat!

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

Work in Progress Wednesday 195

Hi everyone. I hope you had a great weekend. We had a relaxing Saturday and on Sunday went to Disneyland and California Adventure a few hours. That's always fun.

The fires here in San Diego were intense last week, but luckily the weather has changed and really helped get them under control. It was 106 degrees on Thursday, about 35+ degrees hotter than our average. We're back down to 70F already, which is crazy but welcomed. our thoughts are with all the family who lost homes and businesses.

I've had some time to do some knitting and cross stitching due to the extreme heat last week.

This is the hat I started last week. The pattern is Sockhead, which is free on Ravelry. As I think I mentioned last week, I went with 136 sts instead of 144 and am using a US 2 needle. I'm using Black Market Wool The Milo Twist in No Use For a Name.

I started this cross stitch awhile back for my husband but am getting to it again. I love working on cross stitch. It's such a different kind of relaxing vs knitting. I hope to finish this soon, as my husband is back on overtime for the next four weeks. Lots of time to craft!

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

For those that are new to WIPW, to share your WIPW post with us, just fill out the Mr. Linky below. Despite it saying you must comment, don't feel as if you do. That is something Mr. Linky automatically adds. I just ask you to check out a few of the links posted to see what everyone else is working on and comment there if you can. Everyone loves feedback and a little encouragement on their projects! Also, please link back to this post in your post to get the word out! The more the merrier!  

Work in Progress Wednesday 194

 Hi everyone. I hope you had a great weekend. Ours was nice, despite staying close to home. My husband has been working a ton lately, so it was great just to hang out with one another. I got a little knitting time and finished my Frais hat that I hope to share soon. 

I'm not usually a big hat knitter, but right after finishing the Frais hat, I cast on a Sockhead. A few of my friends are making this hat, or about to start it so I thought I would join along. I'm using my good friend Rijel's yarn, Black Market Wool is her company. This is Milo Twist Sock in colorway No Use for a Name. Gorgeous, right?! Check her out at blackmarketwool.com. I am changing the pattern slightly, as a lot of people have complained that it ends up too big. I'm using a size US 2 needle instead of a US 2.5, and I also cast on 136 sts instead of 144.

 That's it for me today. I hope you have a great rest of your week and if you live in my part of the world, stay cool!



For those that are new to WIPW, to share your WIPW post with us, just fill out the Mr. Linky below. Despite it saying you must comment, don't feel as if you do. That is something Mr. Linky automatically adds. I just ask you to check out a few of the links posted to see what everyone else is working on and comment there if you can. Everyone loves feedback and a little encouragement on their projects! Also, please link back to this post in your post to get the word out! The more the merrier!