Diamante

I am really addicted to lace: socks, shawls, scarves, mitts (where else can you incorporate lace??). If I can knit a lace sweater, I would. Will I finish it? Probably not.

This new sock pattern in very stretchy. The string of diamonds is flanked on each side by purled ribs. The red one, which my hubby says is very sexy (arghh), was knitted with Gems Merino Pearl by Louet (fingering). This yarn feels like Koigu and comes in solid colors. By the way, the one pair of Koigu socks I have is still going strong, no holes. Everytime I throw it in the washer and dryer, it shrinks a little but stretches back to normal size.

The cream colored sock is Kroy yarn, which I love also. The yarn is very versatile and oh so affordable. Wash and wear, baby!

I am so looking forward to Stitches West (Feb 11-13) which will be held in Santa Clara, CA, this year. A blasted 4 hour drive for me. ROAD TRIP!

Hubby is driving and we're bringing the kids. He'll drop me off at the Convention and he'll take the kids to the MEGA mall, only a few miles away. I promise to call them when I'm done shopping, he, he.

Climbing Vines

My latest pattern for 2005. I used 2 skeins of Misti Int'l Baby Alpaca yarn, worsted weight. Heavenly soft yarn and wonderful to work with. Each skeins has 109 yards, 50 gms, and very affordable at $5.95 per skein. I find myself working more and more with Alpaca.



I'm finishing up the pattern and will get it typed up in the next few days. I'm knitting up samples for Pat at West Valley Alpacas. She's bringing my patterns to Stitches West in Santa Clara, CA in February. I am very excited because this means exposure!

Some upcoming patterns:
1. Diamante Lace Socks
2. Lace Fingerless mitts (no name yet).
3. A sock pattern for Tongue River Farm

I have been emailing Susan Mongold at Tongue River Farm and she's very excited about the designs I've planned for her Icelandic sock yarns. These are wonderful yarns that are strong yet soft. Here's her website. Go for a visit.

Last December 10th, 2004 was our 10th Wedding Anniversary and I wanted to get something to commemorate the occasion. Joel gave me a Golding Ring Spindle, exquisite in design. This spindle is named the Tsunami, where the intricate design resembles ocean waves. It is memorable in more ways than one.


This is a 10" Beka Rigid Heddle loom, also called a "toy" loom, that I got for Christmas for myself. I've always wanted to learn to weave with a rigid heddle and this one is affordable enough to learn from. I enjoyed weaving immensely; it uses up an unbelievably small amount of yarn, like, for a scarf, and very gratifying since you finish the project really quickly. What I don't like is warping the loom.


Here is the scarf I wove two nights later.

I was admiring Mary's loot from her last trip to NY and all I can say is, "You did good, girl, you did good!". You can see her yarn adventures here. So, Mary, did you like New York? (he, he).

I myself am not a city person. I live in the suburbs and would love to live in the country, a farm, or a ranch, where I can raise my kids and some sheep.

I worked in San Francisco, at the Transamerica Pyramid, for 4 years and hated it. The morning rush, the evening rush, fighting for a seat in the train, cars everywhere, men on bikes, people walking 8 blocks, one way, to get to work (that was me!), walking with high heels for 8 blocks (until I learned that I can wear tennis shoes with my suit--yeck-- ugly picture).

Anyhoo, I'm glad that was over.

I'm teaching myself to weave with a rigid heddle loom and I can see another addiction coming. Pictures to follow.