FO Friday 58

I've been trying to upload images to Blogger, but unfortunately I'm getting an error. I wanted to make sure that I still put up FO Friday, and if I can get it to work, I'll upload the normal FO Friday banner. I don't have much as far as FOs are concerned, so I can't wait to see everyone else's for inspiration. It's always fun to see people complete projects when you're in for the long haul on your WIPs, don't you agree?

As far as this weekend is concerned, we don't have too much planned. It's been a tiring week in our household, so a lot of rest hopefully. I plan to work on the socks and cardigan I shared for WIPW, so we'll see how much progress I can make. We are going to be carving our pumpkins which should be fun! I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween on Monday for those of you who celebrate!

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- November '11 Sock Club Colorway Revealed!

I’m excited to share the November ‘11 Candy Skein Sock Club colorway, Harvest Sweets, which will be available starting November 1. If you’d like to pre-order a skein to be shipped out on November 1st, please feel free to email me at candyskein@gmail.com or you can PM me on Ravelry.

Colorway: Harvest Sweets
Series: Yummy- Candy Skein Monthly Sock Club November 2011
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16

Limited time only!
Available November 1 -November 30

I've also added a lot of great skeins of Yummy fingering to the shop today!

Colorway: Royal Rock Candy
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 2
BUY

Colorway: Blackberry
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 2
BUY

Colorway: Lemon Lime
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Colorway: Robin Egg Malt Ball
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Colorway: Party Punch
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 2
BUY

Colorway: Blueberry Cobbler
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 64

I'm going to start by apologizing as this is going to be a VERY quick WIPW for me. I had jury duty today (I hear all the Americans groaning as you read this...luckily no cases went to trial so I'm done!), then had my crochet meetup so I'm so behind. It's late and I still have a ton to do tonight.

Anyway, enough with excuses.




I'm very excited to share my progress on the cardigan for the Candy Skein KAL! On Monday night I got to the point where I had to put the sleeves on waste yarn. I'm now on the body where it's just stockinette until the last inch of the sweater before picking up for the sleeves and collar. Unfortunately, I'm guessing it will slow down now, as it's kind of the boring part. We'll see though. I'm SUPER proud that I'm still totally on gauge for both row and sts.




When I checked on the jury website, I saw that knitting needles were considered weapons, so I ALMOST didn't bring my knitting. I decided to give it a shot. The worst they could do is tell me to put it back in the car. I got lucky and brought little sock knitting needles (circular) and had no issues. I was able to start this sock, which is going to be my mother in law's Christmas present from me. I'm using Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Royal Rock Candy and the pattern I'm using is Hermione's Everyday Socks. It's going great so far. I'm on the pattern repeat for the leg right now, but only did one so far.

That's it for me this week! What are you working on?



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!

FO Friday 57

Hi all! Thanks so much for all of the birthday wishes on Wednesday and yesterday. I really appreciate it. :)

I can't believe I actually have another FO if you can believe that! This is my 3 week in a row to actually have something finished. I'm not sure if this is cheating, but I started and finished the first sock back in May of this year. I decided to finally start and finish the second as Fall is approaching (or is here in some areas of the world). I started this on the Sunday of the Fiber Fiesta and finished yesterday (well, I finished earlier than that but just finished sewing the toe closed). As I mentioned on WIPW, I made the first sock out of the inside of the ball and the second sock from the outside of the ball. I did this on purpose, as I noticed that the first sock was knitting up very green, and the outside of the ball seemed more pink. I thought it would be fun to have them match, but have different accent colors. I LOVE the way they turned out!

Materials:

Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Blackberry
Needles: US Size 2 & 3 (I used the 2 for the ribbing and the 3 for the rest, as I wanted these as more of a house sock, so a larger gauge, though they still fit in shoes)
Pattern: I made it up myself, making a basic sock with 64 sts and an Eye of the Partridge heel flap with a rounded heel.

Share your FOs!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 63

What a weekend! I decided to choose this past weekend to celebrate my birthday, instead of this coming one. My birthday is Thursday, and it just seemed weird to celebrate once it already passed. My husband and I usually do it right, as the celebrations start on Friday night after work and don't stop until Sunday night. The great thing is, since my birthday is Thursday, more fun is to come! I have yet to get a few small presents and I can't wait!

Friday night I decided I wanted to try a new burger place in the area, Five Guys. I know a lot of the US has them, but they're very new for us. I thought it was good, but it was no In N Out! LOL Saturday I got my new iPhone (WOOT! How is THAT for timing? The bday gods were on my side) in the mail and we went to the local farmer's market where I got flowers and then headed to lunch at my favorite local sushi restaurant. We then took Milo to Starbucks (his favorite place) and headed home to watch the LA Kings game (THEY WON!). All in all, an awesome day. Sunday we went to Disneyland, and though it was warm and busy, we had a great time. It was fun to pick all the rides we went on. We stopped at Sephora at Downtown Disney. My amazing husband bought makeup I had been wanting, but thought it was too much money. I love it!

Okay, so that's enough about my fun weekend. Did you do anything fun?

Oh, one more thing. I want to stop by my LYS on Thursday and get some yarn for Christmas knitting, but also wanted to buy myself something. Has there been a yarn you've LOVED recently? I can probably afford one skein of something, unless it's not too pricey.

Now to WIPW:




I started this sock (the second of the pair) at the Fiber Fiesta. I'm knitting it in Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Blackberry. I knitted the first back in May, so it's been awhile and I'm excited that I'm almost finished just in time for (hopefully) cooler weather. I decided to knit this one from the outside of the skein, as the first one was from the inside. It did exactly what I was hoping! The first is more green, the one here is more pink. I can't wait to show you them next to each other (though it may totally bug those of you who love matching socks). I'm hoping to have them finished for FO Friday.




Now I'm CRAZY excited to share this. It's for the current Candy Skein KAL, the Rhombi short sleeved cardigan (running from October 15-Dec 15, you're welcome to join in any time during the two dates. The awesome cardigan only takes 2-3 skeins of yarn, depending on side). I'm using Candy Skein Delicious fingering in Brain Freeze, but others will also be using Candy Skein Yummy fingering. The pattern calls for two skeins for my size, so after a knit and purl row, I'm switching between skeins. I'm using a size 6 needles, as I knit SO tight (I'm working on that, honest), and that is the size that I actually got gauge. Yes, I actually knit and WASHED/BLOCKED a swatch. Whoa... This is my first cardigan/sweater, so I'm hoping it will fit! So far, I'm having a BLAST making it. The pattern is fun yet easy so far. You can see the start of the diamond motif on the back.


That's it for me. What are you working on this 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!

FO Friday 56

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope everyone has fun weekend plans upcoming. I'm not sure what we're going to do, but hopefully the heat will break! It was hot again yesterday, which I can't complain too much, as it is good beach weather. The bad thing about the heat is that I finally finished my husband's very warm socks!

He's so happy to have them finished that he even wore them the night I finished, despite it being like 95 degrees that day. I'm so glad that he loves them, but man men's socks are big! I'm currently making a second sock for myself (as you saw on WIPW), and it's going SO much faster. Luckily, the next few pairs I have to make are for women. LOL

Materials:

Knit Picks Imagination in Frog Prince
Needles: US Size 2
Pattern: I made it up myself, making a basic sock with 72 sts

Milo looks SO uninterested, doesn't he? He just wanted to go to bed at this point

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- The Vista Fiber Fiesta

As promised, I will tell you all about the Vista Fiber Fiesta that happened October 8-9 today! Well, it actually started for me on Friday (or if you want to get technical, a month ago when I found out about it and decided to have a booth) when my lovely friend, Robin, and her husband helped me set up the booth. This was my first show, so it was great to get there and see how the booth would work, as well as the location and I could plan just how things would be laid out.

Saturday morning came and I was up bright and early to drive the 40 minutes to the show. Luckily my husband came with me to help with the initial setup. The Fiesta was on a grassy area and as I took the front panel away from the booth, we noticed that everything inside was SOAKED. Fortunately, just the set up and table cloths were there, but it was practically raining dew inside due to the cool morning. Of course, I didn't anticipate that, so my poor husband had to run back and forth to the bathroom grabbing handfuls of paper towels to dry everything off as best we could. Wet yarn isn't exactly appealing!

After we got that squared away, we finished setting up. Not to toot my own horn, but the booth looked even better than I expected. I also have to say, 124 skeins of yarn seems like a lot when it's inside my house, but spread out in cubbies and hanging, 124 skeins isn't that much! LOL

Here's a picture of the booth from that morning!

The front of the booth with Sharon and I setting up!

Delicious fingering and Delicious lace

Yummy lace, fingering and worsted

The show started off with a bang, as in the first two hours I was slammed. I'm so lucky to have such great friends, as my booth partner, Sharon, helped handle the rush. My knitting group also made an appearance, talking to the customers and also watching me run around like a monkey trying to get everything done. I was able to accept credit cards using one of those iPhone swipe things. That was the great part! The bad part of it was since my phone is an old model iPhone, even though I was upgraded to OS4, it still didn't like it much. I ended up having to borrow Sharon's phone for the transactions. I couldn't have done it without her!

As Saturday went on, there was a constant steady stream of people. It was amazing! Everyone was so positive, it made me just glow. I couldn't have been happier! At one point, I was getting a little nervous as my sock yarn I brought dwindled in numbers.

Oh yes, and I have to mention the heat. Man was it hot!!! Our booth got direct sun pretty much the whole show, and I was sweating like a pig, which is funny because I hardly ever sweat normally. The booth felt like it was a sauna! The event was very prepared and had food and drinks, so I made sure to drink enough water (or at least the second day I did!)

Sunday morning brought more dew, but not as bad which was nice since I was there setting up by myself. I was able to strategically place the yarn so it didn't look like my numbers were dwindling. The sales were a little slower on Sunday, as expected in most events like this, but still, there was an amazing group of people and great feedback. I was lucky enough to meet two of our WIPW/FO Friday participants, Contessa and Christina. I had such a great time talking to the in person. It really made my day, as they were the first two I've met in person from the blog.

All in all, it was an amazing show. All feedback I received regarding my yarn was super awesome and I even heard people talking about it as I walked around the show or ran to the bathroom or to get food. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

I sold well over half of my stock that I brought to the show, but the great news for all of my online shoppers is that I have some left, including colorways in Delicious lace, Delicious fingering, Yummy lace, and Yummy worsted that are new! Be sure to check them out.

As you will see if you go to the Yummy fingering page, there is only 3 skeins left. I have an order placed with my yarn supplier for 50 more skeins of sock yarn, this time it will be Falkland merino wool, from the Falkland Islands. I love this yarn, so I'm really excited to get the stock sometime next week.

I'm still taking orders for the October '11 Sock of the Month Club colorway, Halloween Treats, and will continue until October 31st. I'm already planning November's colorway, and can't wait to reveal it soon!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 62

Hi all! I hope you all had a great weekend and happy late Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends! I had an amazing weekend at the Vista Fiber Fiesta, but more about that tomorrow. I know, I know...you want to hear all about the show and see pictures! You'll just have to come back tomorrow. ;) That being said, check out the Candy Skein website to see new colors of Delicious fingering, Delicious lace and Yummy fingering. I'll have new colors of Yummy lace and Yummy worsted later this week.

This WIPW is going to be pretty short, as I have been finishing projects, not starting them. I guess that's a good thing with the October KAL starting (October 15), as well as Christmas knitting! That leads me to my first WIP...





I just started this tonight at my meet up. It's just the swatch for the Candy Skein Rhombi KAL. I decided to go up two needle sizes for the swatch to try and get gauge since I'm such a tight knitter. I think I've learned my lesson with always having to go about 2 sizes up. We'll see if that does the trick. I plan to also block the swatch, since this will be my first major garment. I'm excited and nervous! I'm doing it in Delicious fingering in Brain Freeze.






My last WIP is a second sock. You may remember that I made a sock a LONG time ago in Candy Skein Yummy fingering in the colorway Blackberry. Since I had the fiber fiesta this weekend, I wanted to obviously use my own yarn while working the booth during the slow times. As you see, I didn't get much done due to the constant flow of traffic through the booth! I'm excited to work on this sock, as it will be my second pair of socks for myself, but first for myself in Candy Skein yarn!


That's it for me this week. I finished my husband's socks, but that's for FO Friday!


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!

FO Friday 55

Happy new iPhone preorder day!...oh, I mean Friday! Today is a big day for me, as I set up my first booth for my first fiber festival! I'm so excited, I can't even explain to you! LOL I feel like a kid looking forward to the end of the school year and it's taking forever for that final bell to ring. I just want to start the festival already! It's supposed to be beautiful weather here this weekend, which is a blessing considering it's been cold and rainy here most of the week. I'll be sure to get a few pictures this weekend and can't wait to meet a few of you that can make it out!

Now on to FO Friday!

I actually have something to share this week! As you know, I've been working on a hat in Candy Skein Ripening Tonal. I wanted to try it before selling it, making sure the quality of it was up to my standards, as well as a sample for the show! The pattern was fast, easy and fun. I decided to change it a little, as I didn't want a slouchy hat, so I didn't go up a needle size for the main part of the hat after knitting the brim, and I kept trying it on, stopping when it was how I wanted it to fit. The great thing about this pattern, it's actually reversible! Funny enough, I like the inside better than the outside!

As far as the yarn is concerned, I really enjoyed knitting it. It really took the dye beautifully and was soo soft. I've worn the hat this week, since it's been cold, and the yarn is warm but didn't make me sweaty. I have really sensitive skin, but it didn't make my forehead itch at all! I'm not sure I would use the yarn for a sweater, as it is a single ply, and they seem to pill faster than plied yarn, but it's perfect for hats, scarves, cowls and the like. I had about half of the skein left!

For those of you who are interested in this yarn, I'll have a few skeins of it at the show this weekend, and depending on how it sells, could have some on the site as soon as next week!

Materials:

Candy Skein Ripening Tonal in Blackberry
Pattern: Intuitive by Julia Zahle
Needles: US Size 6

Sorry for the scary pic of me, but I was home alone and couldn't get a better pic! LOL

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- Vista Fiber Fiesta is Almost Here!

I can't believe it's here!!! The Vista Fiber Arts Fiesta is THIS Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. I'm getting the last minute touches ready, running the last of my errands for the show and nervously awaiting tomorrow when I can set up the booth.

I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful knitting friend who has all of the booth parts and pieces, and her husband will be helping me put it all together! I wouldn't be able to do the show without them, so thank you Robin, if you're reading this! I can't wait to get started and to meet the few of you who live in the area that plan to stop by. If you do make it out, please please please stop by the booth and say hi! I will have over 120 skeins of Candy Skein yarn available in multiple colorways!

That being said, the online shop will be closed until the fiber fiesta is over since I will be bringing all of my stock. Once the show is over, I will be updating it with available stock. Also, in the coming weeks I plan to have a ton more sock yarn available so check back for that!

Since I've been sick this week, I haven't been able to post about an interview I did for Indie Yarnie Week at Stacey Trock's Fresh Stitches. Thanks again for having me, Stacey!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 61

Happy Wednesday! Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Vegas due to my husband getting sick. Hopefully the curse that has fallen upon my house will go away soon! I'm so sad to have missed two huge events (Vogue Knitting and Las Vegas/hockey game) the past few weekends. At least I'm not sick (knock on wood) for the big Vista FIber Fiesta this weekend. I promise that I'll be more active with the blog as soon as the craziness of the Fiber Fiesta (and restocking) is over!

Speaking of that, I'm so so excited. I have 116 skeins of Candy Skein yarn ready to go currently, as well as small 4 yard samples of Delicious fingering for people to take with them! I can't wait for the show to start. Right now, I'm just trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before Friday, when we set up the booth and Saturday when the festivities start! I also have tons and tons of amazing knitted samples that my knitting friends made in Candy Skein yarn. I can't believe I'm so lucky that they are letting me borrow them for this weekend to show off! I couldn't ask for better friends. :)

For this WIPW, I won't have the hat to share, because I FINISHED IT!!!!!! I'm actually wearing it RIGHT now, because San Diego decided that it was Fall all of the sudden. In the past 24 hours, we've dropped about 20 degrees and it's raining. I LOVE this weather, but am happy to report it will warm up a little for the Fiber Fiesta. Anyway, I'll share the hat on Friday, and those of you coming to the Fiber Fiesta will see it this weekend!



Since I'm plugging along on all of my work (I honestly can't believe I've dyed, caked, re-skeined and tagged over 116 skeins of yarn counting the ones I've sold recently in the past month), I've had a few minutes to actually....knit. I know, shocking right? It's great to be able to pick the needles back up! Since my husband is sick, I figured the least I could do is finish his socks. I was also depressed that we were home this weekend, instead of Vegas, so I worked on them to cheer me up. In just an evening of knitting on Sunday, I got the heel flap, heel turn, and gusset done, and started on the foot. I worked on the foot during knitting group last night and don't have too much more to go before the toe decrease! I can't believe it! For those who don't remember, this is Knit Picks Imagination in Frog Prince. :)

I also wanted to get these off my back (and my other WIPs) since I'll be making my first sweater/cardigan in the Candy Skein KAL that starts October 15th. Don't forget, we're making the Rhombi at the Candy Skein Addict Ravelry group and I'm giving a $2 a skein discount to those who buy yarn for the KAL. Also, the lovely pattern designer has the Rhombi pattern 15% off until October 15th when you use the code: ninjastockup. She's been great already in the discussion, answering any questions you have with the pattern and figuring out how to get the perfect gauge that works for your size.

That's it for me today! What are you working on?

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!