Tami's Amis and Other Creations

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 85

2012-03-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend and are having an even greater week. We went to the movies and had a great time. We saw The Artist which was amazing. My husband and I love old movies and silent movies, so to see a movie like The Artist doing well in the theater and winning awards is awesome. I wanted to watch it again instantly. Sooo good. I also bought The Muppets movie this week, which I can't wait to see again, speaking of great movies. It's a hockey night tonight (Tuesday), but I'm sure we'll watch it the first chance we can get. We adored it in the theater.

Now onto knitting related items.

I was bad and cast on something new. I have so many WIPs that I can't keep them straight, which only makes me want to cast on more. Does that make sense? Do you get that, too? Actually, I blame the skein of yarn. I've had this yarn in my stash since December of '10, buying it on my trip up the California coast. It's Tosh Vintage in Baltic which is a worsted weight yarn. This is my first time using this yarn, and I LOVE it! It's gorgeous in color and texture. Just a pleasure to knit with and holds stitches nicely. Anyway, so the yarn was calling to me on Monday, and what could I do? I couldn't deny it when it's been sitting in my stash for so long. I only have one skein, so I had to sift through projects until the right one jumped out at me.

I decided since this yarn was special to me, as it was one of the memento yarns I brought home from my trip, that I wanted it to be something that I would use often. I also wanted a little bit of a challenge, since my knitting hasn't been calling to me recently. In fact, besides the little bunny I made last Thursday, I hadn't knit since my crochet/knit group last Tuesday! Almost a week had gone by without picking anything up.

That's when I found Treads, a tipless glove pattern and knew my search was over. The pattern looked hard, yet something that wouldn't kill me or frustrate me. So far, it's been a great pattern. I've learned two new things so far! I learned the Lateral Braid, which is magic, and the Linen Ridge Stitch, which is really easy but looks awesome. I'm building the thumb gusset (first time I've done this as well, as my last gloves just had a hole for the thumb) right now and working my way up (or down depending how you look at it) to the fingers. I think if I take the pattern step by step, I shouldn't have too much trouble with them. I can't wait! These will be great, not only on cold days, but also in the mornings when I'm knitting or evenings walking the dog. I could see myself using them a ton! We'll see if I can get at least one finished for FO Friday. :)

That's it for me! Also a quick note. I have a few more sets of the Green Collection mini set if anyone is interested!

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 78

2012-03-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I hope you're looking forward to this weekend and fun St Patty's Day celebrations. We usually don't do anything, but stay home, since people are usually a little crazy, especially since this year it falls on a Saturday and it's supposed to rain here. Have a fun day, but stay safe!

I do have a small...very small FO. Easter is fast approaching. I decided I wanted to knit little animals for my nieces and put them in the plastic eggs they sell for Easter egg hunts. The most logical place to start is with a few bunnies! I made my first one yesterday from a free pattern shared on the Mochimochi website. In fact, she's even doing a con test giveaway involving these little guys where you can win baskets of Koigu yarn! How fun, right?

It was a very simple pattern, even if you're new to knitting. As long as you know how to knit in the round (she recommends using DPNs, but I used magic loop), kf&b and icord, you can knit this pattern in less than an hour! I used 1 cotton ball for stuffing, which fives you an idea just how little this bunny is!

I really like how it turned out, except for the eyes. I might pull them out and try to make them smaller, but it is kind of yarn. Maybe thread instead of yarn will help. We'll see. I might make the ears a titch longer as well. I'll be making many more!

That's it for me today. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- New Mini Skein Set- The Green Collection

2012-03-15T09:39:00.010-07:00

Hi everyone! As promised, I have a new mini skein set available today. The set currently available is the Green collection, including 7 of Candy Skein’s most popular green colorways.

Each assortment set includes:

7 mini skeins, one in each of the following colors:
Mint Chocolate Chip
Caramel Apple
Green Apple
Spearmint
Apple-tini
Leprechaun Lollipop (only available THIS MONTH! Next time this set is offered, it will NOT include this exclusive March ’12 colorway)
Sour Apple

As well as a set of Candy Skein beads (the ones that normally come with each skein of yarn) in 7 different colors!

Colorway: 7 assorted colors (Mint Chocolate Chip, Caramel Apple, Green Apple, Spearmint, Apple-tini, Leprechaun Lollipop, Sour Apple )
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 25-28 yards each skein
Unit Weight: 5.5-6g each skein
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $11
Quantity Available: 10

BUY

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 84

2012-03-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! First off, thank you so much for the feedback on the "Life of an Indie Dyer" idea! I think I'm going to try it in the next week or so. I'm not sure how exciting it will be, but some just think I dye yarn all day, but that's only half the truth! I'll give you an in depth day in the life type journal style blog series. Check back for that soon. :)

Now to WIPW! Sorry my pics are a little dark/blurry, but they were taken with my iphone!

I haven't had much time to knit lately, but my Abalone is speeding along! I've finished the first ball of yarn and am working on the second skein. I love this yarn, Sweet Georgia Worsted. Actually, I love it so much, I bought two skeins of Sweet Georgia Tough Sock this weekend while in Los Angeles at Unwind.

I'm still working on my March socks, but this time I'm actually at the lace pattern repeat. This is two pattern repeats. I like the pattern so far, as the second needle is just stockinette, but the lace repeat is one that doesn't have much of a rhythm to it, so I have to constantly pay attention to where I am. Not an easy pattern to work on when distracted. I do love the way it looks in the yarn though! I'm using the Candy Skein Monthly Sock Club March colorway, Leprechaun Lollipop, which is still available for sale here. The pattern is Devil's Snare Socks.

On another note, I will have a new set of mini skeins tomorrow, The Green Collection for sale! Check back here or Candyskein.com to purchase them.

That's it for me for today!

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 77

2012-03-09T00:01:00.002-08:00

I apologize that this is going to be insanely short today. Not only do I not have anything to share, as you can imagine since last week was the sweater, but I almost forgot to post!! I was literally in bed, falling asleep before I shot up and said "Oh my god, tomorrow's Friday!!" I was THIS CLOSE to forgetting to post! That would have been tragic as I've yet to forget in 77 weeks.

I also wanted to mention, while I have your attention, that I've been thinking of starting a series of posts called Life as an Indie Dyer. Would any of you have any desire to read something like that? I'd basically just talk about my day to day work as I get ready for a fiber festival, juggle my normal orders, work through the festival and return home. Let me know in the comments!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. I'll be working, but hope to get in some fun as well.

Happy Friday!

Share your FOs!

EDIT: I'm so sorry. In my tired state, I put the Mr Linky for Wordpress and not Blogger so it didn't show up. Here it is!!!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 83

2012-03-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope your work is going well. I've been working hard this week to finish a very large 18 skein custom order for a mini swap group on Ravelry. It was fun to do, but was tricky coming up with so many new and different colorways. I'm happy to have finished the dyeing for it, and now just have to wait for the final skeins to dry and re-skein them. Not quite a FO, so I thought I would share it with all of you. :)

I started a new project this past week, and actually re-started it a few times as well! Last Wednesday I swatched for the Abalone cardigan! Yes, another cardigan. I'm afraid not only do I have the sock bug, but now I also have the garment bug! All is going well and the project is going super fast. I haven't worked on it much, but I have a nice portion done. It's done it worsted weight yarn, and I'm using Sweet Georgia Superwash Worsted. in Oxblood. I bought it on Thanksgiving weekend last year at Unwind in Burbank. It's not normally a color I would buy, which I think is why I bought it! Don't you feel like sometimes you have to pull a little out of your comfort zone? Funny enough, the yarn matches my couch so well, that sometimes it's hard to tell what's the couch and what's yarn! This picture makes it a little brighter than it is in real life. It's a little bit more of a purple red.

I just hope I have enough yarn. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Surprisingly enough, I actually got gauge by using the size needles recommended for the pattern, US 8s. I think this is the first project that I haven't had to go up a needle size due to my tight knitting. Maybe I'm finally loosening up! One can only hope. LOL

That's it for me for today! I hope you have a great Wednesday and Thursday. See you on Friday 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 76- The OHMYGOD I LOVE MY SWEATER edition

2012-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

I can't explain how excited I am to write this post. Seriously, it has been a long time coming... since October 15th! That's when I started the Rhombi cardigan. Now, I have to get something straight here. I didn't work on it that whole time. In fact, I didn't work on it half of November, any of December or much of January or February. Not that it matters, I'm a slow knitter, but I'm not THAT slow.

You may remember, I started it as a KAL on the Candy Skein Addicts Ravelry group. Not many of us did it, (or finished) but I'm so happy that I continued on. In fact, this is my first ever garment. I'm sooo proud of it. Not only is it my first, it's also knit with Candy Skein yarn and my first major blocking. See, here it is blocking! I stretched out the length, flared it a little and pinned the neck so it hit high on my neck.

Pretty, isn't it? Now, for the FULL pictures! Sorry they are dark and a little green looking. With the flash everything was blown out and so these were the best we could get late at night. I promise to take better daytime pics this weekend for everyone to really see it.

Here I am standing stiff but showing it off from the front.

And the back. I LOVE the diamond! See it!?

And another, this one at a slight angle. I'm in love with my new sweater!!!!

I can't explain to you how happy I am with it and how proud I am! Seriously, I wish I could wear it every day!

Materials:

Needles: Size US 6 circular
Size made: Small
Yarn used: Candy Skein Delicious Fingering in Brain Freeze (it took less than 2 skeins)
Pattern used: Rhombi pattern by Terri Kruse
Mods: I made the sleeves a little longer than the pattern called for, as I wanted to be able to wear a short sleeve shirt under and not have them poke out at the bottom. I also picked up more stitches at the back of the neck, as well as under the arm than the pattern called for.

That's it for me this week!!! Share your FOs!!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 82

2012-02-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a good week. I have been busy busy busy! I haven't gotten much knitting time done, but when I have, I've worked on the sweater...WHICH I FINISHED!!!!!!!!! I'm hoping it will be blocked (and dry of course) by Thursday night, but if not, you will get a picture of it on Friday on the blocking mats. LOL

That said, I did have time to cast on a new sock. That's right...a new sock. I'm so original! It's my March Harry Potter sock with my knitting group. This time we're going to be doing Devil Snare Socks. I cast on a little early, because I was so excited about the Candy Skein March colorway, Leprechaun Lollipop, and it is perfect for this pattern! We decided to go with this pattern this month because it was a lot different than the other HP sock patterns by Erica Lueder. It has a lace pattern running down the front of the sock, and the rest is stockinette. We'll see how it goes. :)

Other than that, I have nothing to show. I'm going to start swatching for my next cardigan, the Abalone, today! I can't wait. I bought the yarn for it on Thanksgiving weekend and it's just been sitting in my stash waiting to become a beautiful sweater!

That's it for me. Have a great day!

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!

Candy Skein- March '12 Sock of the Month Club Colorway!

2012-02-27T12:34:00.004-08:00

Spring is near and leprechauns are chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow this month. St Patrick's Day is almost here, so we can celebrate with a fun, bright green yarn!

That's why I picked Leprechaun Lollipop to be the official March 2012 Candy Skein Sock Club colorway!

This gorgeous skein has flecks of light and dark mixed with a bright grass green. It will look amazing made into just about anything, from shawls to socks to a matching hat and mitten set!

Colorway: Leprechaun Lollipop
Series: Yummy- Candy Skein Monthly Sock Club February 2012
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: $16.00 US

Limited time only!
Available March 1 -March 31
(Yarn will be shipped March 1 if pre-ordered)

BUY

FO Friday 75

2012-02-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm going to make this quick. My internet is going in and out tonight and I don't want to not have a post up for you guys! No FO for me today, as I figured. I am ALMOST done with my sweater and you will see it next week 100%! I can't wait to bind off and show you all the finished project. It's been a long time coming.

I hope you all have a great weekend! For those interested, I'll be posting the March '12 Candy Skein Sock Club colorway on Monday!

Share your FOs!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 81

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!! I hope you're all doing great. I've been very busy lately, which makes time FLY by. I can't believe it's another WIPW!

I've been working on just about everything here and there so a ton doesn't look like it's gotten done on each piece of knitting, but it has!

I've worked a little on the Time Traveler socks. Here's a picture but you can't really tell I'm sure. LOL Still, I thought I'd take a picture of them since you haven't seen them for awhile. You may remember, this will be my first after thought heel. You can see the orange yarn in the brown stripe that is the placeholder for those stitches.

I've also worked on my Rhombi sweater and I PROMISE you that it will be finished for FO Friday next week. I don't think I can finish and block it for this Friday. I'm super excited and nervous to finish it. I had been putting it off, not wanting to ruin it. For some reason I had this mental block about picking up the stitches for the front and neck. I'll be starting that today! My husband this weekend said, "what happened to the cardigan?" When I told him why I hadn't been working on it, he said, "you just need to work on it. It's your first sweater. If it's not perfect that's okay." So, when we got home from running errands, I got it out and started working on it again. He's right, it doesn't need to be perfect. Some knitters' first sweaters aren't even wearable! :) Since I'm so close to being finished, I won't post a picture so that you can see it when it's finished.

This is a new project for me. As I mentioned on Friday, I cast on new socks! These are my first pair of Cookie A socks. I've LOVED her patterns but they all seem pretty hard since I haven't tried cables yet. I got the book Knit. Sock. Love by Cookie A and realized that the pattern Monkey isn't cables! So I started it with a size US 2 needles. The ribbing turned out HUGE for some reason. I'm sure not if it's because of the twisted stitches. I frogged it and then used a US 1, but now I think they're too small. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Do I keep going? I'm using the Candy Skein January Monthly Sock Club colorway, Arctic Mint.

That's it for me. Have a great day!

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 74

2012-02-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I'm going to make this one quick, because I honestly almost forgot about FO Friday and this needs to be posted soon. Also, quite frankly, I'm tired. LOL

I don't have a FO this week unfortunately. I did however start something new! You guessed it...another sock! Yikes! I also shared the new Candy Skein colorway, in three different bases yesterday, so be sure to check those out!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and happy President's Day to all in the US on Monday.

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- A Brand New Colorway Revealed!

2012-02-16T16:12:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to announce that I have added a new color to the Candy Skein line! I thought it would be fun to dye the new color in three different bases so you can see how the same dye takes to the different fibers.

I bring to you Candy Skein's new color, Blue Snow Cone. It's a gorgeous light blue with small specks of lavender that is breathtaking, especially in the Delicious series which has a purple/pink halo.

Blue Snow Cone in Delicious Lace

Colorway: Blue Snow Cone
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 875 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat
2 Available
BUY

Blue Snow Cone in Yummy fingering

Colorway: Blue Snow Cone
Fiber content: 75% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low
2 Available
BUY

Blue Snow Cone in Tempting Sock

Colorway: Blue Snow Cone
Fiber content: 80% Merino Superwash, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash cold/Dry Flat
1 Available
BUY

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 80

2012-02-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone and happy belated Valentine's day! I hope you had a great day with friends, family and loved ones! I was hard at work on my taxes and other non-fun grunt work that you must do when owning your own business. We're off to the accountant on Thursday and I won't have to worry about it again after that for a little while.

Today's WIPW is a little different for me, as you can see in the above picture. This is a sneaky way for me to show something awesome I found at the antique mall while also sharing it as a work in progress.

What in the world is it, you ask? Good question!

It's an old vintage zipper holder that you would find at a fabric store. It has different slots for different sized/lengths of zippers. I loved it at first sight, but had NO clue what I would do with it.

So what am I going to do with it?

My husband is brilliant. Really, he is. I can't take credit for his idea, so I just wanted to put that out there before telling you what this vintage zipper holder has in store and why it's even on my WIPW post.

I need to do some serious cleaning to it, as you can tell. There's some rust (that's putting it lightly) that I'm going to have to remove and then re-paint the whole thing. I went to the hardware store and bought everything I need (at least for now) to make it into....

Drum roll please....

A mini skein display holder when I have a booth at fiber shows!

BRILLIANT, RIGHT?!?

I hope to have this baby look good as new, with a fun Candy Skein logo on the face plate in no time (or when I can find time before the middle of April). Each slot can hold mini skeins in different colorways!! I'm so excited about it, I can't even explain to you. It was a little pricey, even after getting 10% knocked off, but I knew I had to have it after some great debate. It's one of those things that you know if you walk away, you won't stop thinking about it. Then when you go back? Of course it will be gone. It's not every day you see one of these.

Anyway, that's it for me this WIPW. My knitting is going okay, but the items don't look very different so I didn't want to bore you. I also just wanted to show off my new project. ;)

I know I promised the new Candy Skein colorway, and don't worry, I will deliver Thursday! Be sure to check it out!

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 73

2012-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday to you all! I'm going to keep this short, because the more time I spend writing this, the less I get done on my socks. That's right, I'm trying to finish today so I might have a chance to show them to you. I'll keep my fingers crossed and we'll just call this a placeholder for now.

I do have a new Candy Skein colorway to debut as well, so check back later today or tomorrow for that as well! I'll give you a hint. If you like blue, you'll love the new color!

EDIT: I FINISHED!!!! It's 6pm here on Friday, so I DID finish on Friday my time. I"ll take better pictures when it's not so dark, but here are a few pics to prove that I finished. All share all the details next Friday on the project.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Share your FOs!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 79

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I'm back to being healthy, minus the cough and raspy voice! It's good to be myself again. I haven't been working on my sweater (I swear I will finish it very soon!), but I have been busy knitting.

As you may remember (if you've read the past month's WIPW posts), I didn't have much success with my knitting group's Harry Potter sock challenge for January. I did the leg of the first sock and stopped. I'm not sure why, but I just was not feeling it. While I will finish the set, I decided to move onto February's socks to not fall too far behind. Funny enough, for some reason February's pattern is flying off the needles. I've finished one sock and am at the heel flap of the 2nd. I should hopefully have a full pair of socks on Friday to share for FO Friday, or at least at some point this week. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish for the actual morning of FO Friday, but we'll see. This pattern is Petunia Dursley's Double Eyelet Socks by Erica Lueder and I'm using Knitter's Brewing Company Sock-aholic Sweet yarn in Sweet Lavender.

That's what I've worked on. I haven't been able to work much on my Time Traveler socks, so I'm sure that will be next 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 72

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Making this short and sweet today, as it's late and I'm tired. I wanted to thank you all for the well wishes. I'm feeling much better and am on the mend. I just need to get rid of this nasty cough and I'll be right as rain.

Sadly I have nothing to show as I still haven't touched the cardigan. I'm sure you all understand! I am sailing on the February Harry Potter socks though! WOOT!

Share your FO!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 78

2012-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Happy February! This is going to be short, because since Sunday I've been really really sick. I haven't done anything except sleep and lay around watching good "sick" movies like Runaway Bride, American President and Love Actually. Don't you just love the Romantic Comedies when sick? They're my favorite. :)

Obviously with being so sick, I haven't worked on my sweater. Instead, it's sock mania in my house! Not only do I still have the January HP challenge pair on the needles, but I've started two more! Seriously nuts, right?

So here's the first pair:

My Time Traveler Felici socks, because what's better than being sick with some Doctor Who knitting to make you feel better? I'm doing these very plain vanilla, with one catch. I started with just 10 rows of k3 p1 ribbing and then the stockinette leg. The catch? I'm going to try my first afterthought heel!! Cool, right? You might be able to see the pumpkin color Delicious fingering I've inserted into the sock where the heel will go. For those of you who have done this before, how deep did you make your heel once you were ready to do so? Did you do 3, 5 or more stockinette rounds before starting the decreases? The one thing people don't really talk about with the afterthought heel is if the measurement from where you place the heel. What I mean is, if you were to picture it on a normal heel flap/turn/gusset, would it be basically where the gusset decreases are? Am I making sense to those who are not sick? LOL I think I may be giving this too much thought, but I'm just trying to make sure it won't be A) too tight and B) long enough in the foot so I want to measure from the right place on another one of my socks.

My next socks are the February HP Challenge socks. For those of you who didn't read about the ones I was working on in January are probably wondering what the HP challenge I'm talking about. A few ladies in my knitting group and I decided to knit all of Erica Lueder's Harry Potter sock patterns this year. There are around 11 of them I believe, so we're going to do one per month, and then either do a different pattern for the 12th, or do one of them twice. We'll see when we get there. This month, we've decided to knit Petunia Dursley's Double Eyelet Socks. This is a fun basic lace pattern. I decided to use my one skein of Knitter's Brewing Company Sock-a-holic Sweet yarn in Sweet Lavender. It's a pretty yarn that is 60% merino, 15% nylon, 15% bamboo and 10% silk. The bamboo seems to give it a cool feel and the silk gives it a shine. This is the first time I've used this yarn, so I'll let you know how I like it when I get a little further into the sock/pattern.

That's it for me today. I hope you have a great rest of the week. If you're awaiting a Candy Skein shipment from me, I hope to be well enough to get to the post office later in 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!

Candy Skein- February Sock of the Month Club Colorway!

2012-01-31T14:05:00.000-08:00

February 2012 colorway- Sweethearts!

Available now through February 29th!

Love is in the air and cupid is on his way. What better way to celebrate the month of love than with a fun skein of light pink and red sock yarn. Perfect for making the one you love socks, or to cheer yourself any time of the year!

That’s why I picked Sweethearts to be the official February 2012 Candy Skein Sock Club colorway!
This gorgeous light pink and red skein will look amazing made into just about anything, from shawls to socks to a matching hat and mitten set!

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

Price: $16

BUY

FO Friday 71

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

As you can see...no cardigan. I actually have to hang my head in shame, because not only is there no cardigan, I haven't worked on it since Wednesday. As mentioned Wednesday, I haven't felt great and working on something that I could possibly screw up that I worked so hard on seemed like a bad idea. So did I work on my January Harry Potter socks instead you ask? Of course not!

I'm a bad bad knitter. That's right, I did knit but on something new. Yes, I am burying my head in my pillow with shame right now. I needed to get my sock mojo going again, and my Felici self striping yarn has been calling to me. I mean, it's TIME TRAVELER self striping yarn. AND...And....and....

Like any sane (or should it be insane?) knitter would do...I cast on for a pair of vanilla socks in the yarn. Sad, but true. Who could blame me? I even had to go to the DENTIST yesterday morning! I wasn't going to bring a project I had to think while knitting! I do promise that NEXT FRIDAY I will have my Rhombi cardigan finished. Really this time!

That is my confession for today and all I have for FO Friday 71. I hope you all have a lot more exciting stuff to share and have a great weekend!

Candy Skein- New Tempting Sock Colorways!

2012-01-26T15:33:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you're having a great day. I've been focusing on expanding the colorways of the Tempting Sock series of sock yarn, and I'm very happy to share them with you! They're available to buy here!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 77

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy hump day everyone! I'm going to keep this short and sweet as I'm still working on the cardigan, but I'm SO close to finishing that I don't want to show you a picture of it and ruin what it looks like with sleeves! I also haven't been feeling great lately, so the last thing I want to do is sit in front of the computer more than I have to. I'm still hoping to show you a un-blocked finished cardigan on Friday, but that might be stretching it. We'll see, as I was unable to knit yesterday due to having a ton of work to catch up on after I took the weekend off. The Rhombi cardigan is also the only thing I'm working on right now (crazy, right?) because I just want to finish! I get too distracted by other projects, so I'm not even peeking at them right now.

Have a great day everyone! Can't wait to see your WIPs!

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 70

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! I'm going to keep this super short, as I don't have anything to share. I've been focusing on my sweater. Last night I did the bind off for the body!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! Now I just have to do the short sleeves and the band for the front/neck. I hope to do the sleeves this weekend if I get a chance to knit, so that Monday my knitting group can help out on how to pick up the front stitches nice and even. I love the way it fits so far, so I don't want to mess it up. Who knows, maybe I'll have a finished cardigan to show you next FO Friday!

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Share your FOs!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 76

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I hope you had a great weekend. I had a great time with my knitting group on Saturday. We traveled to Long Beach (about an hour and a half drive) to go to the Alamitos Bay Yarn Company to see the Unique Sheep Truck Show. It was so awesome to see all of the yarn sets, as well as the gorgeous shawls made from it. I didn't want to spend too much money while I was there, so I decided not to buy any Unique Sheep, but I did buy one skein of Lorna's Lace Shepard Sock. I couldn't resist. Last time we were there, I had wanted a skein, but had spent so much money at the fiber festival we had gone to beforehand, I didn't want to splurge too much. This time, that's all I bought, but I'm super happy with my purchase. I'll take a pic of it later so you can see how pretty it is. :)

Now on to WIPW!

Sorry for the very dark/awkward picture! I just wanted to show how long it was in the back.

I haven't been working on the socks, because I am now determined to finish my Rhombi sweater. I am LOVING the way it fits. I have about another inch to do on the body, before then working a garter stitch bottom for about another inch. After, I'll move onto the sleeves and finally the collar. I can't WAIT to get it finished. Doesn't it look pretty good? For those of you who are new to WIPW since I last worked on this, I'm using Candy Skein Delicious yarn in Brain Freeze. What I love about this sweater (at least right now) is that it will be warm enough (it's REALLY warm yarn) if I wear a long sleeved shirt under it for the mild winter days, but perfect for spring and chilly summer nights.

That's it for me this week. Hopefully I'll be finished with it in the next few weeks to share on 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 69

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great week. I'm happy it's Friday. This week seemed to never end and tomorrow I'm headed to my favorite yarn store with my knitting group to check out a Unique Sheep truck show! I can't wait as it should be a very fun day.

I just wanted to mention that if you're interested in purchasing the new Candy Skein mini set, The Blue Collection, be sure to do so soon. As I typed this, I only had 8 remaining out of 17!

As promised on Wednesday, I have a few hexipuffs to share that I made this week. I made a few back in December, but in the last few days I've been addicted to making these little guys. I thought I would also show you what they look like in my jar that I showed you awhile ago, now that I have a few more.

For those of you who haven't heard about the hexipuff craze, thousands of people are making the Beekeeper's Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits. At first I thought the craze was silly, until I started making them and now I can't stop. Right now I don't plan on making a quilt, as that's just too much to think about, but I'm keeping them in a jar as a pretty colorful addition to my family room.

From top left: Candy Skein Yummy fingering Royal Rock Candy, Party Punch, Blackberry, Lemon Lime, Banana

Looking at all my puffs in the jar, I realized there was one other one you haven't seen, but I may be making it again anyway because my first three are way smaller than my newest. The newest are coming in closer to the pattern's gauge, where my first few were coming in at about 2.5" from point to point.

That's it for me. Have a great weekend!

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- New Mini Skein Set- The Blue/Teal Collection

2012-01-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! As mentioned yesterday, I have a new Mini Skein Set available today in Candy Skein Yummy. It's very much like the Rainbow Collection I had two month ago, but this time it's in Candy Skein blues and teals! The great thing about this set, is that it does not include any colors that were in the Rainbow Collection, so it's 8 new colors! The other special thing is that it includes Arctic Mint, January '12 Sock Club colorway!! The next time I do this set, it will not include this color!!!

The set currently available is the Blue collection, including 8 of Candy Skein's most popular colorways. This is a great way to add eye popping color to your Beekeeper's Quilt, Sock Blanket, or any other mini projects you have on the go.

Each assortment set includes:

8 mini skeins, one in each of the following colors:

Blue Cotton Candy
Blue Raspberry
Robin Egg Malt Ball
Blue Bubblegum
Arctic Mint (only available THIS MONTH! Next time this set is offered, it will NOT include this exclusive January '12 colorway)
Royal Rock Candy
Blueberry Sorbet
Blueberry Cobbler

As well as a set of Candy Skein beads (the ones that normally come with each skein of yarn) in 7 different colors!

Colorway: 8 assorted colors (Blue Cotton Candy, Blue Raspberry, Robin Egg Malt Ball, Blue Bubblegum, Arctic Mint, Royal Rock Candy, Blueberry Sorbet, Blueberry Cobbler)
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 25-28 yards each skein
Unit Weight: 5.5-6g each skein
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $11
Quantity Available: 10

BUY

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 75

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend. I had a good time in Los Angeles, despite the Kings totally playing like crap. I also found a few awesome treasures, 3 vintage cardigans, at my favorite vintage shop. It's this great little place that has clothes, accessories and even weird knickknacks. It's totally amazing every time we make it there.

Enough about my weekend, onto WIPW:

This is the same sock I showed last WIPW unfortunately. I haven't had much time to work on it, and to be honest, I just wasn't feeling it at knit night on Monday. As you can see, the brown is swirling around the leg and I'm just starting the heel flap. I better get trucking on this though, as I have to finish this pair before February 1, as we start a new pattern then.

Instead of working on the sock on Monday, or in the past few days, I did a few more rows of my Rhombi cardigan. It's ALMOST long enough to do the edging and cast off the body. I didn't bother taking a picture, since it looks the same, just with more stockinette/body.

I've also made a few more hexipuffs, now that I'm finished with my Christmas knitting. I love how quick I can finish one, as I'm usually a slow knitter. Funny enough, I made three before the holidays, and they're a little small. I think they were about 2.5" point to point. My new ones are bigger, but I haven't had a chance to measure. I used the same yarn (different colorways) and same needles. I'm guessing I was just a little more stressed or trying too hard on my first few, so I knit tighter. Anyway, I'll be sharing them on Friday for FO Friday. :)

Speaking of hexipuffs, I'll be posting a NEW Candy Skein Yummy mini set on Thursday afternoon/evening. If you like blues and teals, you have to make sure to come back and check them out. They'll be on sale starting as soon as I post them. As the other set sold out pretty quickly, I'm guessing this one will as well.

That's it for me today! Have a great Wednesday!

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!

And Mister Linky is back up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FO Friday 68

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

YAY, it's Friday! I've been working hard this week, dyeing yarn, re-skeining and making minis, as well as getting the house back together after the holidays. Since we bought our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, we just got rid of it last night, so of course cleaning was in order. It's amazing how many pine needles a dry Christmas tree can leave as a trail.

We have a fun weekend in store, as we're going to the LA Kings hockey game Saturday afternoon, and then we have a Groupon to Trader Vic's across from Staples Center, where the Kings play. It should be a fun weekend, as it's our first game of the season. We're also going to get a chance to spend time with my parents. We haven't seen them since Thanksgiving, so that will be exciting.

Anyway, now onto what you came here for (I'm sure it wasn't to read about my dry Christmas tree or my weekend plans! LOL). I have another FO to share, but I apologize because it's more socks! I feel like that's all I'm sharing with you, along with a few months in the past few months. There will be more socks to come, too!

I used Candy Skein Yummy in Robin Egg Malt Ball. The pictures are a little dark below, but this pattern looks great in this color. Speaking of the pattern, I made the Hedgerow Socks by Jane Cochran. I wasn't so sure about the pattern as I made them, as they look a little odd not stretched out on feet, but I LOVE them on. They look like little vines, but it's a super easy pattern of just knits and purls! I highly recommend it. Another part of what I enjoyed about the socks is the heel. It's not your traditional heel flap, but the pattern on the leg carries down into the heel flap before the heel turn transitions into stockinette. You can see in one of the pictures below.

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein Giveaway!

2012-01-05T09:21:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone! I'm busy today dyeing skeins of yarn, reskeining and even making a new set of mini skeins, but I wanted to tell you about a contest/giveaway! The lovely Tink from Master of a Thousand Things is giving away a skein of Candy Skein Yummy fingering or lace weight, as it is her one year blogiversary!!! Even better? The winner gets to select the colorway!

Be sure to jump over there to check out all the details and to wish her a happy one year of blogging! Here is a direct link to the contest/giveaway, which ends midnight GMT on Sunday, January 15th and is open to everyone!!!!

Thanks, Tink!!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 74

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great New Year's celebration. As mentioned in my NYE post, we took it easy at home. It was really relaxing. On the 1st, we saw The Adventures of Tintin, which we really enjoyed, and yesterday we had breakfast, walked on the beach, went for tiki drinks and then I went to my knitting group. It was an awesome day. You're probably thinking, a walk on the beach in winter? Well, we're getting freakishly warm weather here in San Diego, and it was in the low 70s F with not a cloud in the sky! On the first it got up into the 80s F. Crazy, huh? Anyway, you're not here to listen to me ramble about the weather report for San Diego, you're here to see a little knitting!

I'm happy to report, I finished the socks I shared with you last Wednesday, and started my knitting group's Harry Potter Sock Challenge. As mentioned in my New Year's post, a few of us decided to knit all of Erica Lueder's Harry Potter themed sock patterns this year. I believe there are 10 or 11 of them currently, so we'll be doing one or two twice unless she releases new ones in time. One of the lovely ladies from my group contacted Erica and I think she mentioned she did plan to release new ones. YAY! If you remember, I've already done one of the patterns, Hermione's Everyday Socks. I don't mind doing this one again because it was a VERY fun, easy pattern, they looked great and I didn't knit them for myself the first time around. I can't wait to have my own pair.

This month we started with The Weasley Rib. I decided to do it in Harvest Sweets, the Candy Skein Monthly Sock club color from November '11. I haven't gotten too far, as you can see, but so far, I don't like this pattern as much as the Hermione one. There is a LOT of purling, and the rows start and end with purls, so it's hard not to get ladders on the sides. I'm making them for my husband, as I thought he'd enjoy the pattern and colorway. Okay, okay, that's only half of it. I'm also tired of hand washing his non-superwash socks I made him for his first pair, so if I give him a superwash pair, I can throw these in with the laundry and only have to wash his other pair half as much since he won't be wearing them as much. Sneaky, right?

Anyway, the really cool thing so far on the socks is the way the colors are pooling. One side of the sock looks mostly brown and red, the other side brown and orange. Crazy huh? Can you see the difference in the two pictures? I can't wait to see what it does down the rest of the sock with this pattern. I'm thinking it might swirl, but we'll have to wait and see. :)

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!

A Look Back and a Look Ahead to the New Year!

2011-12-30T08:40:00.000-08:00

First off, happy new year everyone!!!!!!! It's New Year's eve and I hope you all have a fun and SAFE time celebrating the start of 2012. We have a pretty quiet night on tap, but I think after our trip, we're happy for it.

I wanted to write a year end post to thank you all of you for being so awesome. You've not only supported the blog through the past year and a half, you have encouraged me not only to improve (and take up) knitting, but you've also been a huge part of Candy Skein. Without all of you, I would have never dreamed that I could have opened up my own hand dyed yarn shop and been successful. You've let me live my dream, and I thank you for that.

As you can imagine, it's been a crazy year for me. A year ago, almost to the day, my husband and I were sitting in the Trader Vic's restaurant in San Francisco trying to think of a cleaver name for my company. That's when and where Candy Skein was born. Since then, he's done all of the artwork for me, I built the website, dyed a LOT of yarn (I was trying to figure out how much I've dyed, but that's pretty hard. Let's just say 100s of skeins) and opened my virtual doors to you. I've done two shows/fairs and will be doing at least 2-3 more next year. Candy Skein is growing each month, as all of you spread the word loud and wide. I can never thank you all enough for that. I have great plans for Candy Skein in the next year, and I hope that you will join the wild ride with me.

A year ago this month, I learned how to knit, thanks to all of you. You were amazing sending me videos and tips, as well as projects for me to try. Not only did I learn to knit, I love it way more than I could ever imagine. Sadly, though I still love crochet, I can't remember the last time I picked up a hook to do something other than catch a falling stitch. Knitting has become a part of me and my life, and because of it, I've met amazing people. I went out seeking a knitting group in my local area and found a group of amazing ladies that I thank my lucky stars for each day. They've not only become close friends, but I think of them as part of my family. Each Monday night, we sit around a table for three hours and laugh while (kind of) knitting. I never seem to get a ton done (this past week, I knit a total of 1 row), but I wouldn't give up that time to anything else. They've taught me so much about knitting, yarn and even life and I can't repay them enough.

I've come so far in my fiber arts endeavor in 2011 it's remarkable. I completed 25 projects this year, and have another few that will be finished in the next few weeks of 2012. I bought and used a LOT of yarn (though, not as much as I'd have liked) and survived a yarn diet. I have so many projects dancing in my head for 2012, I can't even believe it. I have a few 2012 knitting resolutions I'd love to share with all of you! I hope you make me stick to them, and it will be fun to look back in a year from now to see how many I've accomplished.

2012 Knitting Resolutions

1. To use at least 40-50 skeins of yarn from my stash. I know that will be hard, but I think I can at least come close!

2. To finish my first sweater, and make at least one more in the next year.

3. To learn how to make cables and how to do stranded/colorwork knitting.

4. To finish all the socks in my knitting group's Harry Potter sock challenge (one pair each month of the Harry Potter sock patterns on Rav by Erica Lueder.

5. To keep track of my stash better on Ravelry so I have some kind of idea of all that I own.

6. To sell at least three times as much Candy Skein yarn as I did in 2011.

7. To be better about blogging. I know I'm pretty good about WIPW and FO Friday, but I hope to have more regular posts, much like this one. I want to start doing knitting book and podcast reviews and more! Make sure you really keep me to this one.

8. Finish at least 10 more projects than I did in '11.

That's about it really. Oh, I know I haven't posted in awhile about A Year of Projects, but I am still following it! So far I've finished 7 of my 21 projects listed. A few I've changed to other projects/yarn as I've worked. I know that's not a ton, but I'm going to keep knocking them off. I have about half the year to do it in. Wish me luck!

Again, I hope you have a very happy and SAFE new year. Let's all toast to our knitting and crochet!!!!

Love, Tami

FO Friday 67

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! It's almost the new year, and I can't believe it. Doesn't that just blow your mind? I feel like 2011 just started. Anyway, I'll get into the new year in tomorrow's post. That's right, I'll be posting on Saturday, looking back at my knitting/crochet in 2011 and what is to come for myself and Candy Skein. It should be a fun post. :)

Anyway, this is about finished projects, not future ones! I also promised I'd tell you a little about our trip. We had a great time, as mentioned on Wednesday, despite getting a little homesick toward the end of it. We were gone a total of 14 days on a Hawaiian cruise. We got to go to the Big Island (Hilo), Oahu (Honolulu), Kauai (Nawiliwili) and Maui (Lahaina). We did 3 excursions while we were in the ports, and I was really proud of myself because two of them concurred two of my fears. We went in a submarine in Honolulu (I'm afraid of small/tight spaces) and we went zip lining on Kauai (I'm afraid of heights). The good thing was, the submarine was first, so I didn't have much time to REALLY worry about the zip line, which is the one that I was most fearful of. I have to say, both were fun, but I LOVED zip lining. It was incredible!

Here are a few pictures we took throughout our trip!

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Diamond Head and the Waikiki skyline from the tender to the submarine

These last two pics are from where we zip lined. The highest zip line was 250 ft above the ground. Crazy, huh?

We loved all the stops, but Kauai was definitely our favorite. It had a different charm than the rest, IMO, and as I mentioned, we LOVED zip lining. It was magical.

Enough of my trip, as I'm sure you're pretty bored now! On to knitting!!!

While I was on the boat, I had to do some serious knitting. One of the things I had to start AND finish was socks for my sister for Christmas. I knew I was going to see her on Christmas eve, as she was the one taking care of my dog, Milo, so there was no way of getting out of it. I brought a skein of Yummy fingering in Brain Freeze and once we were in Honolulu (and I finished the first of the socks I shared on Wednesday), I cast on. The next two days we were in ports (Kauai and Maui), so I didn't get too much knitting done on them. I was starting to panic, and knew that if I wanted to work on anything else during the trip, I had to crank them out FAST, and that I did. I've never knit so fast! Of course, it helped that they were an easy pattern, just a simple rib pattern that ran down the instep. I finished them 3 days and actually really liked how they turned out! Luckily, I had time to rest from knitting, and then make a hexipuff and work on my Rhombi sweater a little.

Materials:

Yarn: Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Brain Freeze
Needles: US Size 2
Pattern: Basic Ribbed Socks

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the socks on anyone's feet (I actually almost forgot to take pictures, and had to unwrap them right before I left to give them to my sister!), so they look a little boring. You get the idea though!

Share your FOs!!!

Candy Skein- January Sock of the Month Club Colorway!

2011-12-28T15:13:00.001-08:00

I know I say this every month it seems like, but I can't believe it's that time again to reveal the new Sock Club colorway of the month! Having two weeks taken from life with my vacation has really screwed me up time wise!

It's cold outside (well, in most places!), and what better way to warm your feet than with a new skein of soft sock yarn! When I think of January, I think of beautiful snow on the ground, with gorgeous blue skies on a sunny cold day. The fresh air that flows through your lungs, the air so frigid it almost seems like it has a minty feeling on your tongue. That's why I picked Arctic Mint to be the official January 2012 Candy Skein Sock Club colorway!

This gorgeous light and dark blue skein will look amazing made into just about anything, from shawls to socks to a matching hat and mitten set!

Colorway: Arctic Mint
Series: Yummy- Candy Skein Monthly Sock Club January 2012
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 January 1 -January 31

You may purchase your skein today, but they will not ship until next week.

BUY

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 73

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi all! It's good to be back. :) I'll be doing a longer post this week in the coming days to tell you all about my trip, as well as close off the year with a look at 2011 and list my knitting resolutions for the coming year. I wanted to thank all of you for sending me warm wishes in the comments while I was away. I was able to quickly glance at some of them when we were in port, and read them when I returned. It was so nice to come back to it all.

I don't have much to show this WIPW. I'm almost finished with my holiday knitting. I know, I should be done, but I'm not. While on my trip, I knit three socks (that's not three pair, but three socks), did a hexipuff (except I didn't bind off because I didn't have stuffing) and a few rows of my sweater. Not to shabby for two weeks! Anyhow, this is what I'm working on:

I think you saw the very start of the first of these socks. I'm just about to finish the heel flap of the second one, and hope to have them finished in the next few days. I'm doing the hedgerow sock pattern from Ravelry and using Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Robin Egg Malt Ball. Fun pattern! I wasn't impressed with the way it looked at first, but love the way it looks on and finished. The interesting part of this pattern, IMO, is that the leg and in step pattern carries into the heel flap. These are the first socks that I've done that with. I'm sorry it's such a crappy picture, but before I left for my trip, I dismantled my photo setup so that the cats didn't hurt themselves/destroy anything while we were gone, and I'm using my iPhone for the picture because I haven't downloaded/plugged in the cameras from the trip yet. I wasn't sure my computer wanted to handle all of that right before bed! LOL

The pair I finished while on the trip will be shared on Friday, since I started and finished them while I was gone.

That's it for me today! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday!!!!! Be sure to come back this week, as I'll be sharing the January Candy Skein Sock Colorway of the Month on Thursday, Friday my socks that I knit on the cruise and hopefully Saturday I will be posting my New Year's post!

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!

EDIT: As you can see, I'm out of practice and forgot to add the Mr. Linky as I wrote this at 10:30 last night! SO SORRY!

FO Friday 66

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday and Happy Christmas Eve Eve! I get back tomorrow, so let's hope I would have the second pair of socks to show you finished!!! ::crossing fingers:: This is my 5th post I've scheduled in the same day, so if there are any errors in the previous posts, I apologize! It's hard to keep them all straight! I just hope they all post on the correct day! I'm not sure if the Mister Linkys will be working properly, as I had to make them all the same day. Sorry if they aren't!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! I'll see you next week for some fun 2011 stats with the blog and my FOs! I'll have a lot to share. :)

Share your FOs!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 71

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Only a few more days until Christmas. Hopefully I'm on the last sock! LOL, It's kind of weird writing these two weeks in advance, but there you go! I hope all of you are resting/relaxing with fun knitting, and aren't too stressed for the holidays. Please enjoy it and have a great time with family. :)

Okay, that's it for me. I'm probably headed to some kind of happy hour while you read this. ;) For those of you who aren't regular visitors, I'm on vacation and will be back to normal scheduling next week! Sorry for the inconvenience.

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 65

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Time is flying I bet, as Christmas is nearing. I hope you're being safe out there with all of the insane holiday madness! It can get pretty crazy out there, especially if you live somewhere with snow on the ground. Stay safe!

I hope that I have a FO that I just can't share, due to not being able to upload it! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Share your FOs!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 71

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday! I hope all of your holiday knitting is going great, or even better I hope you're finished with it all! Since I'm writing this way in advance, I hope I'm plugging along on socks right now, as that's the last of my Christmas knitting this year.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well, and I can't wait to get back and share all of our trip adventures. 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!

FO Friday 64

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone! I'm going to keep this short, as I have so much to do between now and Saturday afternoon. I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I will be scheduling WIPW and FO Friday posts while I'll be gone, but won't be able to comment on your posts, or share any of my pictures. Please still post your links for all to read/view!

I finished my second monster in a week, which is great because it was the one project I didn't want to take on the ship with me, due to the stuffing, eyes, assembly. I made Kat the Kitchen Monster by Rebecca Danger for my 2 1/2 year old niece, Emma. She actually picked that one as her favorite from the book back when I first bought it, and her favorite color is baby blue, so I hope she loves her.

As I mentioned, I was afraid of the hips being too wide, but it turned out okay I think. I ended up kitchner stitching her head, instead of 3 needle bind off, because I have no clue how you could turn her inside out, as it is knit in one closed piece, but that's what the pattern called for. I figured kitchner basically does the same thing, so no biggie. Her head just isn't as round as it could be. I'm not crazy with the placement of her mouth in the end, I wish I had put it a little lower and I'm not sold on the ribbon, but it's what I have around. For now, I'll call her done, as she has to be ready to be loved on Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately I finished her last night, so I wasn't able to get a cute/fancy picture of her, so this one will have to do.

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Work-in-Progress Wednesday 70

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I hope you're having a great week. I'm not sure I've said something yet, but I will be on vacation from Dec 10 (this Saturday) to Dec 24th. In that time, I'll still be posting WIPW and FO Fridays, but they will be scheduled as of this week, with no updates, just the Mr Linky so everyone can participate. I also want to wish everyone a happy holidays, regardless of what you celebrate!

Also, a Candy Skein note, if you'd like to order a custom skein, please do so by the end of today, so that I can dye it and get it mailed before I leave. If you'd like yarn sent to you for the holidays, I'll be mailing out orders that are purchased until Friday afternoon. After that, all orders placed between Dec 10-24 will be mailed on December 26th. Sorry for the inconvenience!!

Okay, now that is done, let's check out how behind I am on my Christmas knitting! Let's just say, I'm glad I'll have a lot of time to just sit back and knit for the next two weeks!

Since I'll have a lot of time to knit on vacation (did I mention we're going on a cruise to Hawaii!? ALLOOOHHAAA), I hope to get it all finished by the time we get back. I have two more pairs of socks to make, and I hope to finish the monster I'm making right now this week.

That leads me to a pic of the monster! I'm making Kat the Kitchen Monster from Rebecca Danger for my younger niece. She's 2 1/2 and her favorite color is baby blue and this was her favorite monster from the book. Unfortunately, I messed up and increased too much in the hip/leg area, but decided to just go with it. It looks a little weird, but I hope it looks normal, or okay once I stuff it. We'll see. As I said, I hope to finish this for FO Friday, or at least before I leave. Again, I'm using Plymouth Superwash Merino DK.

I started on a new pair of socks. I'm using the Hedgerow sock pattern and Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Robin Egg Malt Ball. Now much to say with this so far, as I just started, and am focused on the monster!

That's it for me right now. See you all Friday!

FO Friday 63

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Kind of off topic to start, but I just realized I posted the Candy Skein logo instead of the FO Friday logo last week! That's what I get for trying to cram in the post before the Thanksgiving holiday!

Anyway, to FO Friday. As you can see, no picture, BUT, I finished KNITTING the monster!! WOOT! I had a little issue tonight, as I was rushing to finish knitting the last piece...I snapped my needle in half. Now, with a small needle, that wouldn't be too odd, as last week I broke one of my US size 2 needles, but this was a size 6 needle! Oy. So, after I pouted for awhile, I realized I had another size 6 that I could swap out to finish. My Rhombi sweater is size 6 needles, so luckily, with the needles being interchangeable, I was able to snake it to finish.

Unfortunately, the little setback made it so I didn't have time to stuff and assemble. I promise to get it up today ASAP! So please come back and check out Bea!

Edit: HERE SHE IS!!!!

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Work-in-Progress Wednesday 69

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone had a great weekend, and a great Black Friday for those in the US. We took it easy on the weekend, just hanging out with my parents and running errands in LA. We did get a chance to see The Muppets (we're HUGE Muppets/Jim Henson fans), which we absolutely LOVED. I want to see it again!!! We also had a chance to visit Unwind, one of my favorite yarn stores, and I got three skeins of Sweet Georgia worsted weight in Ox blood colorway to make the Abalone. I can't wait to make it! The yarn has a great twist and is a gorgeous deep red.

As far as WIPW, I'm currently working on one thing, the Rebecca Danger monster, Bea, for my niece. It's a Christmas gift, so I'm trying to plow through it, marking it off my list, as I still have a few gifts to get through. I have the body knit and am working on the arms right now. I'm using Plymouth Superwash DK, and I really like the stitch definition with it, except if you catch a little area of it, it seems to snag kind of easy, due to the really pronounced stitches. Hopefully it holds up as a toy. I really like how soft and squishy it is though. I hope to have this done at some point this week, as I have another monster and two more socks to finish. Yikes! Time is ticking by.

That's it for me today. How is your holiday knitting going?

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!

Candy Skein- December Sock of the Month Club Colorway!

2011-11-29T08:09:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it, but it's that time again to reveal the new Sock Club colorway of the month! As we all know, the holidays are upon us, and what a perfect time to cozy up with knitting needles and a squishy skein of Merino sock yarn in a fun new holiday colorway. When I think of the holidays, I think of holiday lights, carolers, presents and hot chocolate, but one of the first things that pops into my head is candy canes.

Who doesn't love the sugary peppermint little candy hooks that brighten the candy store shelves this time of year? I know I do! That's why I picked Candy Cane to be the official December 2011 Candy Skein Sock Club colorway!

The red and pinky white stripes would look great for a pair of holiday socks, a scarf or a cheerful hat!

Colorway: Candy Cane
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 December 1 -December 31

You may purchase your skein today, but they will not ship until December 1st.

BUY

On another note, I will be out of town from December 10-December 24, so if you'd like a custom colorway dyed for a holiday gift, please let me know ASAP. I will stop taking custom orders next Tuesday, December 6th, as the yarn will need time to be dyed, dry, reskeined and shipped before I leave. Also, my lovely friend is going to be handling all Candy Skein orders while I'm gone, but if you'd like to insure you receive any Candy Skein yarn before the holidays, please place orders before December 9th so that I can get them to the post office before I leave. Thank you for understanding!

FO Friday 62

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Happy Black Friday! I'm actually writing this on Wednesday night, so I need to keep this short. I still have a pie in the oven, stuffing to make and I need to pack and it's already 9:45. Down to the wire, that's the way I like it! ;)

I can't explain to you how happy I am to have finish this project. It's not because I don't LOVE LOVE the socks and the yarn. I really did, and I can't wait to make these socks for myself. It's because I just have SO much Christmas knitting on my plate that I need to pick up my speed.

Materials:

Yarn: Candy Skein Yummy fingering in Royal Rock Candy
Needles: US Size 2
Pattern: Hermione's Everyday Socks
Changes: I didn't change anything, except that I did only 10 repeats of the pattern on the leg, instead of the 18 the pattern calls for.

I hope these fit my mother in law! If not, I have someone else I can give them to, but that means I'll need to crank out another pair if they don't. They're a little small on me (I wear a size 9). Anyway, as I said, I LOVE this pattern. It's so easy to memorize, yet it doesn't get too boring. It's a simple four row repeat and I LOVE the heel. It's Eye of the Partridge but with a garter stitch edge which I had never seen before this pattern. I'd highly recommend it!

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Candy Skein- THE MINIS ARE INVADING!!!

2011-11-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

Hi for the second time today, everyone! If you're on the blog looking for Work in Progress Wednesday, just scroll down! I normally do my Candy Skein post on Thursdays, but due to the holiday and travel, I had to bump it up. Sorry for the inconvenience. :)

That said....THE MINI CRAZE HAS INVADED CANDY SKEIN!!!!!!

I am SO happy to announce that I have the first set of mini skeins available starting TODAY in the store! I only have 17 sets, so please get them while they last! I won't be putting out another set until after the holidays probably, as I will be out of town for two weeks in December, and then craziness ensues until January 2nd.

Each mini skein is 5.5-6 grams, 25-28 yards in my Yummy fingering weight base, which is 75% merino superwash/25% nylon. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! That's enough yardage in one mini skein to get TWO hexipuffs!!

Each assortment set includes:

8 mini skeins, one in each of the following colors:

Cherry
Cotton Candy
Orange Sherbet
Banana
Lemon Lime
Brain Freeze
Midnight Mousse
Party Punch

As well as a set of Candy Skein beads (the ones that normally come with each skein of yarn) in 7 different colors!

Colorway: 8 assorted colors (Cherry, Cotton Candy, Orange Sherbet, Banana, Lemon Lime, Brain Freeze, Midnight Mousse, Party Punch
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 25-28 yards each skein
Unit Weight: 5.5-6g each skein
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $11 plus $3 s/h in the US, $4 s/h everywhere else.
Quantity Available: 16

BUY

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 68

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Happy Wednesday and also Happy (day before) Thanksgiving to all of my US readers!!! We're heading to LA to spent the holiday with my family, and I can't wait. We haven't been there since September and we miss LA and my family desperately. It should be great, and I hope to visit a few yarn stores, including one of my all times favorites, Unwind in Burbank.

Just a quick note before I start with my WIPW portion of the post. For those interested, I will be posting Candy Skein Assortments, which are sets of mini skeins today on my site. I will have another post later today when they're for sale. :)

Okay, now to WIPW!

I don't have too much to share today, as I FINALLY finished the socks I've been slaving over. More from that on Friday (which weirdly I'll be writing the post today and scheduling it, so I apologize in advance if the scheduling doesn't work properly. Sometimes it doesn't put the post up when it should, so keep your fingers crossed).

What I did start was another Christmas present (I can't wait until it's over so I can work on something for myself! LOL). I'm making another Rebecca Danger monster, Bea the Basement monster, for one of my nieces. Her favorite colors are pink and light green, so despite these not being colors I'd pick, I think it will look cute and she'll (hopefully) love it! I'm using Plymouth Superwash DK, and love it so far. It's SOO soft and squishy, though a little splitty I must say.

That's it for me sadly! I'm still working on my Rhombi sweater, but Christmas knitting has now taken a priority over it. Someone asked me last week I think, about my skirt. That's on the back burners, but I will be working on it after I finish my sweater and a few other things. I'm hoping to have it in time for spring, which seems so far away but will probably be here before we know it.

Again, happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. Drive safe if you're traveling and eat lots of turkey (or if you don't eat meat, enjoy the rest of the fixings!) I have to go make a gluten free pumpkin pie from scratch now!

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 61

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! I am ashamed to not have an FO this week, as I needed to finish the socks and start a new project. Does it count that I made two hexipuffs at the beginning of the week that I shared for WIPW? Oh well, next week I promise to have at least ONE FO to share, despite the holiday weekend. :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I look forward to seeing all of your FOs today. Even if I can't comment on everyone's posts, I do try and read as many as possible each week. Thanks again to everyone who participates in WIPW and FO Friday. I really appreciate it.

Share your FOs!

Candy Skein- Tempting Sock!!!!

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I am so excited about this post today. I get to finally share my new line of sock yarn to Candy Skein, Tempting Sock. This yarn is one of the softest sock yarns I've ever felt, as the base is 80% Merino superwash/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon. The cashmere gives this yarn an amazing softness and squish that you'll want to bury yourself in. The merino is top notch, as it is in Yummy fingering and the nylon gives the yarn great durability. I can't say enough about the yarn! I've added it to the Candy Skein database, which you can find here. It's available in 10 colors today, but I will be adding more soon. I will also custom dye, as I do with all of my yarn.

I also wanted to announce that Candy Skein will have mini skeins available starting next Thursday! The first assorted kit will include 8 different colorways, 5 grams, 20-23 yards each. They will be for sale for $10 for the whole set, plus s/h. If you've always wanted to try Candy Skein yarn, or are working on the Beekeeper's Quilt or a Sock Blanket, this kit will be perfect! Check back next week if you're interested in purchasing one and to see which colorways will be available in the first assorted kit!

Colorway: Butter Pecan
Series: Tempting Sock
Fiber content: 80% Merino Superwash/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash Cold/Dry Flat