Ladybug!  Ladybug!
Fly away home.
Your house is on fire. And your children all gone.

All except one,And that’s little Ann,
For she crept under
The frying pan

In keeping with the Seinfeld back in time episode, and, as I promised in yesterday’s post,  I continue my trip going back in time. Earlier this week (Monday, Sept. 21) I received Woolgirl’s sock club  August  kit (it was late and we only got it in September). So, this is a SPOILER kids,  look away now if you want to keep it a surprise:

Okay….it was the spoiler button, so one more chance to look away before I show the contents of the kit……….

August/September’s theme is ladybugs, or “love bugs” as Jen of Woolgirl calls the sock pattern. Cool, huh? That plastic ball thingy is a 7″ fibersphere….To keep yarn in and out of the dust. I’m using it right now with an earflap hat project.

Here is what was inside the hamster ball fibersphere:Yowza! A whole bunch of ladybug swag!

1 skein of Miss Babs Yummy fingering weight in the Ladybug colourway.

Fly Away Home pattern designed by Lisa Dykstra

1 mini-skein of ladybug black in Miss Babs yummy fingering (for heels/toes)

7″ Fibersphere

Mini ladybug sphere

ladybug stitch marker

ladybug pen/tape measure

ladybug emery board

ladybug notepad

ladybug eraser

2 Love bugs magnets

ladybug stickers

ladybug tattoo

Miss Babs Ymmy in "Ladybug"

The pic doesn’t do the colour justice..I can’t wait to knit up these socks!

So, Wednesday I got back to blogging - Tuesday I finished the Primaveras and went to a new knitting guild meeting, and Monday, I received the ladybug kit…Next post I’ll continue my trek back into time….

As the ladybugs fly away home, I, too am signing off now with a few pics of some of the last of our summer flowers….

Moonflower/Datura

poppies

assorted field flowers

Yes, it’s been a long, long time…A long, long time since I’ve posted that is. Too much to do, too little time. Plus, my knee troubles have worsened and I’m pretty miserable most of the time.

Since I last posted, I received the June shipment from Woolgirl - the theme for June 2009 is It’s Raining Cats & Dogs:

Lovely package from Woolgirl

Dream In Color Smooshy

The contents of the June sock kit are awesome, so much swag:

Dream in Color Smooshy yarn in “It’s Raining Cats & Dogs” colorway

A bone calculator

Cute cat & dog notecards

Cute cat & dog stitch markers

Cute animal theme pattern tamers

Bunch of cute little cat/dog pendants

Stickers

Umbrella tape measure

Wooden “paw” needle size gauge thingy

Two patterns (sock & shawl)The yarn is super soft, the colours so look like a brindle dog coat — not a colour I’d specifically would go out and buy, but, hey…that’s what sock clubs are for…to break out of the box a little. Great thing about it is that I  see a pair of socks for Erwin in the future with this yarn. It’s perfect for him!

Speaking of Erwin, I finished his summer weight cotton blend socks

Lana Grossa Cotton blend yarn

And, I’ve already started a new pair for him using some handpainted Opal

Opal Handpainted yarn

Talking about cotton, I also finished my pair of Flame Wave socks done in Cascade Fixation cotton in the olive colourway

Flame Wave socks in Cascade Fixation

I really didn’t like this yarn. It was supposed to knit up very quickly, because it is thicker and the pattern called for 3.5 & 4.0 needles, but with the slight amount of elastic in it, I really struggled with the yarn. It just wouldn’t slide on the bamboo needles…Note to self: why didn’t you try your nickel plated needles duh?

I also finished up a pair of Monkey socks - yes “the” Monkey sock design by Cookie A using super smooshy Indigo Moon yarn

Monkey socks knit in Indigo Moon Yarn - Wine Country

As June wrapped up, and July came barrelling in, the July sock kit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts (Rockin’ Sock Club) arrivedI love the sticker that I got….sorta sums me up pretty well “I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick”…

The colourway is called “Garden Daze” and the colours represent those found in heritage tomatoes

BMFA Socks That Rock "Garden Daze"

I really love this colourway, and can’t wait to cast on. The pattern is for a shortie sock — anklets — but I’m not sure if I want to use that pattern for these socks.

What else have I been up to? Our weather in Ontario has been total pits….Bummer Summer as I call it.  But, thank goodness most of the gardening was done before I busted up my knee, everything is blooming away without very little intervention from me….

Asiatic Lily

Except for having to control these bugs….

Asiatic Lily Beetle

Asiatic Lily Beetle Larvae

Which means squishing their larvae by hand….encrusted in the parent’s feces….yummy…..I’m on a mission now…and you don’t need knees to do this!! Like, my sticker says, I like poking dead things with sticks - this is even better, squishing crap-encrusted larvae by hand - no stick between me & the poop covered babies…

Yes, it has been a long, long time…I’m happy to catch up. I leave you now with my bone calculator - forget about diamonds being a girl’s best friend…(the buttons are little paws LOL!!)

It’s only Tuesday - not even hump day - just a day of schlepping off to work and back. So nice though, to take that noon hour walk  at  nearby Stoney Creek trails.The usual suspects were hanging around: male mallards fighting over the birdseed we brought,  a deer in the rushes — too fast for our camera and the usual assortment of crazy squirrels.  We saw a scarlet tananger, but it was too high up in the treetop to take a decent photo.  And, we saw a raccoon, who froze and pretended to be part of the tree as we went by. The mama duck with her ducklings was nowhere to be seen today.

Back at the office, the mail brought a package of books from Amazon: a knitting book and a quilting book.

SPOILER ALERT for Indigo Moon Yarn and BMFA Rockin’ Sock clubs:

I had already received the BMFA May yarn - Pepe la Plume last Friday:

We had gotten hints about the yarn & pattern, all centering around Fraggle Rock - so most, including myself - was expecting a crazy, multi-coloured skein of yarn.But, the depraved dyer, Tina, played a little joke on us, and dyed up this lovely melange of dark purples, plums and lavender. The accompanying pattern is the Fraggle Rock connection, and it looks ……well…pretty crazy. All bubbly and stuff. If I ever attempt this pattern, I think that I’ll use a solid colour, or a semi-solid.

And, today,  keeping with the purple theme, a wonderful surprise from the Indigo Moon yarn club:

Apple Blossoms and Flowering Plum colourway…Yummmy…I absolutely LOVE this colour. It is as dusky and washed out as the photo. It  doesn’t scream “I’m purple”, which I really am happy about. It is so subtle as compared to Pepe la Plume. And, you know what? I love them both. Go figure.

And, finally (not the day…it’s still early and I’ve got things a happening….), got home to discover this in one of my flower gardens:I swear, this was not in the garden when I weeded there over the weekend. How can such an appendage grow in such a short period of time?

The "thing" growing in our flower garden

If you want to keep the April 2009 Woolgirl sock club kit a surprise - look away NOW!

Sweet! The April Woolgirl sock package arrived Wednesday! And, what a package it was!What could be lurking in such a big box? Notice the black tote?Now that’s some knitting bag!

Other swag:The April kit contained:

one skein of yummy Curious Creek yarn in the colour Old Kinsale

1 pattern for socks

1 pattern for a cowl

sock club tote/knitting bag

sheep cookie

teapot stitch marker

teapot tape measure

teapot notepad & tea bag too!

handmade art notecard

a little suitcase with 2 cute little sheepNow that’s a lot of swag!

Back at the start of the year I was really torn about joining the Woolgirl sock club. I had just joined BMFA Rockin’ Sock club — and that was the first sock club for me — and I  really wasn’t sure what to expect.  Now, don’t get me wrong, the RSC is fantastic, beautiful  hand-dyed yarns and patterns by hip designers — but I’m reallying enjoying the kits that Jen from Woolgirl puts together. It’s like a box of fun everytime one arrives!

I am so happy that I decided to join the Woolgirl sock club!

me no happy

Okay…so I’ve been frothing at the mouth for the April sock package from Woolgirl. Mail just came and nothing today.  So, I’m hoping (praying…begging…pleading…demanding…SIGH…persevering…) that I get it tomorrow!

Going to go stuff myself with chocolate now…………..

Wild Woolly waiting....

It has come to my attention (well…not really. Since Jen at Woolgirl posted last week that the April Sock packages were shipping Monday I’ve been stalking Ravelry like a frothy-mouthed hyena) that some lucky people — mostly on the West Coast — have received their second sock club package. I was determined not look at any spoilers this month, and that lasted about….hmmm about 5 seconds, and I had to look. Had to. I won’t spill the beans in this posting — but, it is phenomenal!!! I am soooo looking forward to receiving my package. I just have no patience (and apparently no self restraint) - why is that??

On another note, if you are a quilter, check this out: Amy @ Park City Girl blogspot has created/organized an amazing online quilt festival. At the moment, over 550 quilters who blog have submitted a quilt to the virtual festival. Mine is number 515.  It’s an awesome idea, and really getting quilters who blog jiving together. Hmm…could we do something like this with knitted socks??

Have you ever knit with Indigo Moon yarns? If you haven’t and are looking to treat yourself with some luxurious yarn, check out IM’s website: www.indigomoonyarns.com . I just love this yarn. The colours are to die for and it is so soft and luxurious, and comes in various weights making it great for socks & everything else!

And, now, Indigo Moon’s first ever yarn club starting in May 2009:

So here we are…the first Indigo Moon Yarn Club!!!!

How Long?

Subscriptions will run for 3 months with shipments in May, June and July 2009.

What colour?

All colourways will be dyed specifically for the yarn club. If a colourway seems the same as another colourway you’ve seen, please be assured that I did not repeat it. I am very particular about my colourways and feel that not everything works…or more correctly, it all works but I may not like it. And if I don’t like a colourway I won’t sell it…even if it is a never-before-done colourway (eg yellow and red).

All colourways are limited editions - I only paint/dye what has been ordered and are “Dyer’s Choice” at this time.

These colourways will be available only to IM Yarn Club subscribers.

What yarn?

The Yarn will be your ever favorite superwash merino in fingering wt. I will consider other base yarns in the future.

What is the cost?

$90 Canadian Subscription includes shipping of 1 skein per month.

$130 US Subscription (paid in Canadian funds) shipping of 1 skein per month.

Please contact me for international orders.

Gift Giving?

If you would like to purchase a subscription for a friend or family member, I am happy to bill the gift giver, and ship to the gift recipient. Please make a note on your order (there is a box to write “notes”) and whether it is a surprise or not.

Refunds

No refunds available once subscription buy-ins are finished on the April 15th.

When and how to order?

April 1, 2009 9am PST subscriptions will open and close April 15, 2009 or sooner if the maximum number of subscriptions have been reached. Payment will be due upon order (though it may not be billed till the 15th…if you need me to hold off for a day or two because your statement is due, just let me know). This will be going through my website.

Click here to choose a Canadian or US membership (payable in Canadian funds):

What if lost?info@indigomoonyarns.com.

I will hold back some skeins each month in case of loss in shipping. Each package will have a tracking number so if it doesn’t arrive we’ll find out why, and a replacement will be sent. These skeins will be available at the end of the 3 month subscription period to IM Yarn Club members only (how or when to be decided).

Next time?

All signees of this term will have first choice to sign up for the next term which has a planned start date of Sept 2009.

All the above information applies to this first Indigo Moon Yarn Club and may be revised for future yarn clubs. If you have any questions or comments, or if anything has been missed, please contact me at

Enjoy!!!

This club promises to be exciting!!

Has it been two months already?? Yesseriebob, Mr & Mrs Mail Carrier (a couple delivers our mail), showed up with the second club sock kit from BMFA today.

Introducing the newest member of our sock yarn family………….Ms.  Gertrude Skein!

BMFA Rockin' Sock Club March "Gertrude Skein"

And, the Rogue Roses pattern by the Yarn Harlot herself I’m feeling pretty proud of myself, because my guess (after the first hint we were taunted with), was something romantic and colours you would find in an English garden…soft pinks, greens, lavenders.

This just made my day!

Geez, sometimes work really gets in the way of knitting and quilting. But, if I wasn’t out there earning, I would not be able to indulge in my passions. Here we are, Wednesday already, and I’ve barely had time to put in any knitting/quilting stitches.

On the knitting front, I did go shopping with my sil for yarn (see my last post); I got to the heel flap of my first Trekking XXL purples - this sock is in holding pattern right now,  until I see my sil this weekend - I’ll show her how to turn the heel. I’m still also knitting on the sock from hell (most ugly yarn I’ve ever seen — I know that I should rip it out and just put that skein to rest, but I just can’t help it), and I’ve now started Grumperina’s Jaywalker sock. I saw some finished socks in this pattern on Ravelry, and after reading through the pattern - I figured I could do this pattern. And, it is really easy. Once I figured out the K1 f/b (real easy) and the DD (slip 2 stitches together as if to knit and then knit next stitch, then slip the slipped stitches over the knit stich) I started and, well, I think I know what I’m doing. Some pattern is emerging.

I’ m using some Brooklyn Handspun yarn that I picked up at last year’s Kitchener-Waterloo knitting festival - the colours are a little odd — but I was attracted to them: yellow, brown and peach. They labelled it as Root colourway. I will get a photo up asap.

On the virtual knitting front - I received the Spina di Pesce sock kit from Yarnissima to join the KAL with the Yarnissima Ravelry group. It’s  gorgeous, gorgeous blues Wollmeise yarn. The KAL starts on April 4th. This is the KAL that I need to get ready for by learning how to knit toe-up and learn some stitches, plus figure out how to read those charts.

I also received a pkg from Knitpicks with a book from Cat Bordhi “New Pathways for Sock Knitters” - that should help me learn the toe up thing. I also signed up for some Peanuts kits from Woolgirl (have not heard back yet as to whether I go in on those.) And, phew, I joined the Indigo Moon Ravelry group just in time to discover that Indigo Moon will be running it’s first ever Yarn Club!!! I’ll be watching out for that one. And, last, but not least, I’ve been reading the buzz about some people having received their March sock kit from BMFA.

So, considering I’m having a busy week at work, and, now that I put it down in words, I did have time for some knitting related stuff - and the week is not over!!

On the quilting front, I managed to get a quilt in to Jan (long arm quilter) for quilting and I just have to get one last border onto my Holiday Sampler quilt, and then I can drop that one off with Jan as well.

Wow! Imagine how much of this stuff I will get done when I retire (BTW, very long way off). Nice to dream about it though!

Winter encounter with a buck

Yep, that’s me feeding a deer in January. We became fast friends over the winter, on those freezing cold days  when no other human was crazy enough to go out hiking. Well, there is another human crazy enough…my husband, Erwin. We are co-workers and we like to get together at lunchtime and get some fresh air and  a little exercise. Luckily for us there are wonderful hiking trails nearby the office.

Anyhoo….that is not what this post is about. It’s about a knitalong (KAL) that I’ve signed up for on Ravelry. One of the sock groups I am a member of there, Yarnissima, is starting a KAL, and we just got notification of the start date:  APRIL 4th.

The pattern for this KAL is Spina di Pesce

Spina di Pesce kit from Yarnissima

The Spina di Pesce kit uses wonderful Wollmeise yarn. But, what the heck have I just gotten myself into? I have NEVER done a toe up sock. I have only knitted on dpns…not circulars.. Geez, I’ve never even done a pattern …for my entire knitting career (about a year and a half) I have just knit self-striping yarns, going round and round, and round …

Now, this is where my deer-friend comes in - I think I now know how those critters feel when they are caught in the headlights — frozen in their tracks — fearful about what is going to happen. Knowing he/she should move out of the way…but, kinda brain-numbed and can’t move…

I don’t know why I’m doing this…but I do know (does that make any sense?). I have to move beyond my box of this self-striping, plain knitting thing…Yet,  there may be an easier way to ease into it. But, like everything I do, I’ll throw myself right in…

Last couple of days I’ve been searching the internet for info on knitting toe up, and magic cast ons, and knitting on two circular needles.  I’ll have to sit with some practice yarn and figure this out before April 4th. Today I ordered a toe up knitting book by Cat Bordi  from Knitpicks, (along with some circular needles), and hopefully I can get a grip on this before April 4th comes along…

In the meanwhile, I’ll  go seek out my deer-friend and see if he has any sage advice for me.

Thinking about that KAL...