My new sock from my Dog Days of Summer Swap partner, Pat. This fun sock is Regia Stretch Color in color 82. Nothin' fancy, just a a plain knit sock, toe-up with a short-row heel. I didn't think it needed a pattern as the yarn itself is busy.

Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Exchange

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it? A little over 2 years

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? Yes, all of the above

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before? Like all cotton yarn so far – I like bright colors better than pastels.

4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? I use all and everything!

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much? BRIGHTS!

6. What do you like best about Autumn? Smells, food, the cool crispness of the air, fires and hot cocoa snuggly blankets…..

7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! NO PIES!

8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? I couldn’t wait!

9. Do you celebrate Halloween? (The real key here guys is especially knowing if you have an aversion to the holiday or little goodies/decorations associated with it, given the timeframe of the swap). Yes, but not a fan of candy corn – oh and I love skeletons!

10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? York Peppermint Pattys, Biscotti, and chocolate of any kind.

11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? ;) I have a cat and 2 teenage boys and yes a hubby too!

12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? Well according to that blog quiz going around, I am Merino!

13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? Dishcloths

14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? (Feel free to share another fall memory if you do not celebrate either of these holidays) I love Thanksgiving. I even have Thanksgiving China – love lil turkeys and make my own cranberry relish. Being with family is the best!

15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? Please no walnuts or cigarette smoke

Finished!

These are my socks form the Afterthought Heel Class I took last month. It was a lot of fun and I learned some new things. This is Sockotta yarn in a cotton blend.

Homestate SWAP Box Arrived!

Wow did I get spoiled! Nhel sent some awesome goodies, gummies, a tine of yummy mints, some Texas Death Sauce” (that my husband stole already), a candle, a darling notebook, “Don’t Mess With Texas” toothpick holder, 2 beautiful sock patterns,
A San Antonio spoon rest, handmade note cards, scissors, and a calendar with photos of her home state, size 4 DPNS, and then there’s the yarn!

I got some soft and squishy Patons, I hank of Mountain Colors, and 2 hanks of Jitterbug. Nhel, I was overwhelmed with your generosity. These are absolutely stunning, the colors perfect, and I love EVERYTHING! Thanks so much!

My Under Cover Club Prize

I have never won a blog contest until now. The Yarn Grove (www.theyarngrove.com)

has an Under Cover Club I am in, and they had a contest to the participants of the KAL, and my name was pulled.

This is gorgeous yarn from J. Knits - superwash Merino in "Reno".

I can't wait to cast it on!

Thanks so much Yarn Grove!!!

My Dog Days of Summer Package Came!

Thanks to my Dog Dogs of Summer partner PAT!

I got Regia sock yarn (which I have used and love), a Fiber Trends sock pattern, chocolate covered Altoids (yum), DPN needle holders, Bronnner's Lavender soap, and a dishcloth made with this cool yarn I have never seen called Kapple in cotton. It is soft and squishy...

I love your card you enclosed with your comments and description -- I have it on my desk to gaze at the lovely photograph!

I love everything -- you did such a great job!

Dog Days of Summer Contest Answers

I love my felted clogs I made. I wear them every day! It is a fiber trends pattern.

Check out this lovely canopy shawl on Melanie's blog. This would be fun to make.

http://theoneknitwonder.blog-city.com/

I am taking a new sock class. Toe-up with an after-thought heel. I already make my socks toe-up, but never with DPNS. I dont care for this toe, as you start with a stockinette rectangle and pick up stitches around all sides. Mine looks messy. Maybe it will get better with practice.

This is Sockotta #06

Another Pair Complete

Yep -- another pair finished and off my Summer Stash-Out list. This is Lang Super Soxx from www.ramswool.com/. It is done toe-up with Magic Loop. turkish cast-on.
The rib pattern for the leg is a k2, p2 one row and then k all for the second, alternating the 2 rows. Stitich pattern is from Sensational Knitted Socks.


Very appropriate to finish wool socks when it's 90 degrees out!

Here's the latest Fun Dishcloth KAL. I like how it turned out and it was perfect with the color I chose in S & C.

Here is my first block for the "Under Cover Club" I love this pattern. It isn't blocked yet so it will look more even eventually.

I think this color is called willow and its lovely.

Under Cover Club

Here is my birthday present from my DH. It is the first of 7 installments of the "Under Cover" club. Like a sock club, you get great organic (super soft) wool, 2 patterns to knit 2 12x12 blocks, and a goodie. The patterns come in a folder with page protectors to keep them safe and clean. By the end of 7 months, you will have enough for a "cover". Check it out at www.yarngrove.com

BTW -- My birthday is not until the 15th! I can't wait that long to cast-on!

Yeah, they are finished. I really liked making them for the toe-up -- much easier. I guess I like the short-row heel.

I already started my next ones using the Turkish (figure-8) cast-on using Lorna's Laces sport-weight.

Dishcloth Fun January Mystery KAL

I loved this KAL. I am new to lacwork and this was easier than I thought it was going to be! Checkout the KAL site: http://funknittingdishclothskal.blogspot.com

My friend Patti and I went to our LYS -- Knitterly in Petaluma on the 26th for Yarn Tasting. This featured the hand- dyed yarn from Curious Creek byArtist Kristine Brooks. I love all the yarn, but my favorite was Gombe a Peruvian Alpaca. I would love to make this scarf I saw on Knitty with it. She dyes her yarn based on colors found in nature. They are all gorgeous. Check out the website. http://www.curiouscreek.com./

Well, I have gone and done it. I now have a blog! I was really forced to do this as many groups and contacts I know have one. I wanted to participate in SWAPs and KAL that required a blog, so now I'm making one on my own. It is a work in progess, so check back as I will be adding items once I figure out how to!

Here is a photo of Illusion Knitting I did for my Monthly Dishcloth KAL. Very cool!