Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag!

Ok, so I obviously didn’t come through on my promise to write a good post on Monday but this horrible thing they call work has prevented me from devoting my attention to the blog and, more importantly, to you my darling love bunny readers.  There are more of you these days which is really lovely and I’m amazed that you have the patience to read all this crap — I’m fairly sure that the 6 friends I sent the link to have long ago stopped tuning in (except Jo Ellen and Christine who are obviously making a bid for sainthood).  Anyway, thanks for reading… I’ll do my best to entertain… perhaps if I got out of the house a bit more… unlikely.

As I reported last post, I was crocheting the fugly lapkin.  As promised, it was finished by the end of the weekend.  I have determined that it is way too fugly to foist upon anyone… even my beloved Joe.  It appears to be curling in in an odd way — I think if I put a large button on it it would qualify as a capelet…albeit a fugly one.  For the moment it remains at Chez Gittlemeyer (my apartment, christened thus by Dina with the mashup of Joe’s last name – Meyer – and mine – Gittleman – I need a sign to hang on the door to that effect).

The Monkey Socks, that were progressing so nicely experienced some stalling, due not only to the repurposing of the Fugly Poncho, but also to the fact that I appeared, once again, to be knitting into the black hole.  I’m pleased to report that I have found my way out and am about to close the toe on the first sock.  I plan to do so tonight and cast on sock number 2.  I love these socks so much that I’ve been able to resist the yarny call of my new stash acquisitions and new patterns.  It hasn’t even been that difficult.  Although I am in love with them, I am still considering gifting them to Joe’s mom…however, each time I drop a stitch because I’m tired and not paying attention and pick it up somewhat sloppily my inner perfectionist feels that the socks are no longer good enough to give away.  We’ll see what happens.  I also must note that I was afraid I was short on yardage for these socks and ordered another skein only to discover upon its arrival that 1 skein per sock was just fine and I now have extra…sooo, the question is: shall I return? shall I exchange?  What’s a girl to do?

Speaking of stash acquisition, I was a very bad girl!

This skein of Alpaca Sox jumped into my arms at Stix-n-Stitches on Sheila’s command…which sounded an awful lot like “Lisa, have you seen the Alpaca Sox?”

 You can’t see the colors because my camera phone sucks (promise I’ll borrow my parents’ digital camera and take better pics of my stash which will naturally be on Ravelry) but it’s just gorgeous – light blue, pink, gray, tan and just so soft!!!  If I don’t give Joe’s mom the Monkeys you can bet she’ll be getting Alpaca Sox which I’m sure will make her propose to me on her son’s behalf… don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll call him and tell him about it shortly thereafter…he does need to be informed of these things.  He’ll be fine with it…roight!

2 skeins of Lorna’s Laces Shepard Sock in Purple Iris and 2 skeins of Interlacements Tiny Toes in Fireplace Embers…all from The Loopy Ewe.  I take it all out and fondle it frequently…can’t wait to knit it up!  Of course, as I mentioned earlier, I didn’t stop at yarn… I had to buy miscellaneous goodies as well…what happiness!

The following represents a combination of orders from The Loopy Ewe and Knit Picks as well as a POS purchase at Stix -n- Stitches. 

Pictured are jeweled stitch markers from Stix -n- Stitches, the Soak sample package from The Loopy Ewe and Harmony DPNs, nickle plated DPNs and a Chibi from Knit Picks.  I am so happy I can barely control myself.  I was coveting the Harmony Options set from Knit Picks but it wasn’t in the budget at the moment….that’s headed straight for the Xmas list!

 My other item of knitting p0rn is really my favorite….

A beauteous new knitting bag made for me by the fabulous Jo Ellen! I actually have to take a better pic because this one doesn’t do it justice.  It’s an incredible crazy quilt messenger bag with inside pockets made to hold knitting needles, crochet hooks, pencils and the like… I am so in love with it!!!  Jo Ellen is a lifelong quilter and does amazing work.  Her full sized quilts boggle my mind completely.  She’s happy to take commissioned work and, I believe has some finished quilts she’d be willing to sell.  If you’d like to get in touch with her, drop me a line or leave a comment.  If my Stix-n-Stitches ladies are reading, she will be accompanying me to SnB tomorrow night and you can see the bag in person.

In addition to all the previously mentioned knitting goodness, I’ve also joined the Art Walk Sock Yarn Club, The Loopy Ewe Swap and The Knitters’ Coffee Swap 3.  This should keeping me swimming in Yarn P0rn for months to come… JOY! I was trying to wait for Christmas for a swift and ball winder but I have the distinct feeling that I’ll be purchasing this weekend…hey, with all the yarn coming my way it’s the right thing to do!

Speaking of Christmas, I’m working very hard on my list for the Santa Clauses in my life.  Generally I am terrible at telling people what I want but I’m learning that it’s necessary.  Ladies, Mr. Meyer needs to know… one of you needs to take him in hand and explain that I need a girl present. Sock yarn fits nicely in a stocking…as do needles, bottles of soak, stitch markers and basically anything under “Accessories” on most knitting sites but the main event needs to be a girl present. If it’s sparkly, even better.

To close, Hadley chatting with me on the phone….