Playing Catch Up

Hello August!

Yes, I know it's August 19th, and I so really meant to do this on the first, but I feel that Hello Kitty is understanding and will forgive me.

What I've Been Up To...

• Reading.  I really like Watching Baseball Smarter by Zack Hample.  I'm not that into baseball, but Hample not just knows his stuff , but also knows how to make it interesting.  It answers all the questions that I've been too embarrassed to ask like what exactly is a "walk off home run."  Really--I didn't know.  I'm a football gal.
• I also been reading through Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters.  I'm not real spatial, so it takes my mind a little longer wrap around the concepts, but there are some cool things in it.  I think I'll start with these.  It's a toe up sock with the increases being on the foot of the sock instead of the sides for the gusset.

• Spending way, way, way too much time on Ravelry.  I like the specificity of the different groups.  did you know there a group for tax preparers (1040 Knitters) who knit and comic book fans (Yarn in Tights).  I belong to the latter group.  It's great, and hopefully, it will be out of Beta stage soon.
• I got tickets to see David Sedaris!  He's coming to Charleston on October 8th.  I keep missing him each of the previous times he's been here, but at least I have tickets now.
• Getting my hair braided.  I spent all day yesterday at the shop.
• I did bring a blanket to crochet, Tiramisu (it's cute but it came out too small, so I'll rework it.)and I enjoyed watching the Nigerian soap operas. They were in English, and while there are cultural differences, I'm always struck by how all humans are so much the same. I like the look even though it will take some adjusting to all these braids. 
• I took this photo Sunday morning on a camera phone all by myself.

• Buying yarn.  Here's some beautiful yarn by J. Knits.  The colorway is called Happy Anniversary to Ewe, and it's exclusive to The Loopy Ewe.  There's also a pattern included.
• I also got the yarn for my favorite pattern in the new Interweave Knits, the Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood.   Check out the one that Tienne made for her DH. I know it's for a guy, but I want one for myself, so I ordered the yarn from Webs last week.  Here's the pattern, and a couple of the skeins.  I wonder if Pat will want me to knit him one?

• Knitting, of course!

Parrot Head Breeze

I started another pair of Breeze Anklets.  The yarn is Colinette Jitterburg in Parrot.  I like how it's turned out.

Yantini Sports Weight Socks

I was lucky en ought to score some Yarntini Sport Weight on Woolgirl in the cool Pink is the New Yarn colorway.  I want to be more comfortable with toe up socks, and I found a neat pattern from the super prolific Wendy of Wendy Knits.

I really like the pattern, and I feel so much better about toe ups.  I even learned Judy's Magic Cast On, which is super neat. Check out this video from Renaissance Yarns.

It's also my second pair of socks for SOS!

I've even started on another toe up.

This the yarn is from Lavender Sheep in the colorway Mech, which is the same colors as the Carolina Panthers. so I'll call these my Panther Pride Sock.

Come Join the Fantasy

The Crafter's Fantasy Football League will start it's second season very soon, and there's one more spot left, so if your interested in joining us, please e-mail me, by 5 pm EST Monday and I'll do a random drawing.

Comments

[Beth]

I really want the new Cat Bordhi book. Wish my LYS would carry more books.

Your hair is cute - I'm pretty sure I could never sit that long for someone to fiddle with mine.

[Cindy]

I love your hair.

David Sedaris! I am so jealous.

[Tanya]

Hi! So many pretty things you have!
Hey, thanks for keeping up with me even though I haven't emailed you about SOS. Everytime I think to it os so late in the week....
I ordered yarn for the Cobblestone Pullover, too!

[Dorothy]

Great hairdo! Welcome to Ravelry - what's your user name? Mine's "dswaite". I have no idea why I didn't choose "missouri star". Let me know and I'll add you to my friends list.

[Stacie]

Yay I just found you on Ravelry. Welcome!

[Tamar]

Okay, I know you always say you're not huge into baseball, but I'm starting not to believe you! It's addictive, you know. :) I am in awe of all your socks, and I think the Cobblestone Pullover would make a great woman's sweater. Oh, and your braids look great!

[Adelle]

You'll enjoy David Sedaris! I went to see him last year and just laughed the whole time :)

[Heather]

Vera the braids look great. I think they really suit you.

[wendy g]

You have been busy as usual! First of all your hair looks great and I bet you had a lot of knitting time while they were braiding. I also rceived the J Knits yarn and pattern but I am saving it for the fall. I have to try the toe up socks but for some reason I have a mental block that I must get over. Thanks for the links for the cast on. Have a good week!

[Bron]

Your hair looks SO good that way!

[Lisa]

I love your hair!
All of the socks look great. I have been on ravelry a lot too. I took pics of most of my yarn so I am happy that is over. :)

[Joan]

I love the braids!

[Donna]

Your hair looks wonderful!

[Jessica]

You are definitely cranking out the socks lately! Love the pink ones. :) And your hair looks great!

[Frank the Reindeer]

Ah so jealous! David Sedaris! I decided to go to college in Atlanta so I'd be able to see people like David Sedaris and just after I move back, one of my favorite authors and my favorite musician (Ryan Adams) come here and not Atlanta. I'm pouting.

As for comic book fans, the world's largest sci fi/fantasy convention is going to be in Atlanta Labor Day weekend (dragoncon.org)

[peg]

Hey, Vera! I love your new look. How relaxing to have someone doing the braids for all the time it took to do them. Almost meditative.

[Silja]

I love your hair! and the yarn you show off... LOVELY! I seem to spend a good amount of time on Ravelry too, it is a addictive place!

[Andrea (noricum)]

I love the braids!

I *really* want to make myself a cobblestone pullover too! It looks so comfortable, casual... totally my style. (How I actually am, not how I think I should be.) Did you see the photos on BrooklynTweed's blog? *Fantastic*. (He's a fantastic photographer... I wish my photos looked as good!) What colour is that you ordered?

[Karen Carter]

Love your new look! Aside from it taking all day, did it hurt very much? Love the projects you have in store also.

[Julie]

LOVE the hair, you look fabulous! I think the pink socks are my favorite. :o)

[Dana]

You appear sooo different with braids (at least from the photo!) Good different! Awesome projects! CU on Ravelry!

[anna]

ha! I'm so mad that the mini-2008 hello kitty calendar is the same as the full size wall 2007 hello kitty calendar!!! It's still super cute though!

Lovin' the new braids!!!

And the socks; work it!!! I'm loving all of them, especially those "Panther Pride" socks! LOL

[tiennie]

Cute hair, funny David, pretty socks, beautiful color for your cobblestone, thanks for the shout-out! Whew...that was a great update post!

[Pat]

This is an amazing update! I want Cat Bordhi's book badly/I love your new Breeze anklets/jealous of your David Sedaris tickets/I'm upset that Dave (my husband) does not like Cobblestone - Your yarn looks perfect for it.

[paula]

Pretty good photo. I love all your socks. I have one sock going. I looked at that yarn at Webs, but I have about 4 sweaters worth in stash.