Expensive Trip to Webs

A friend and I went to Webs in Northampton yesterday. It was her first time there, and I wanted to go to the book launch for 2-at-a-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oates. We spent close to 4 hours there (it was a really good thing they had some very nice refreshments for the book launch!), but we were really delighted with the multitude of yarns we picked out. We each had some projects we wanted to find yarn for, and we came away with everything we needed. That was something of a shock in itself. Our find of the day was a new sale item, Zenith by Di.Ve', which is a supersoft superwash worsted-weight merino. Between us, we got enough for one sweater(Erin in the new book Heartfelt by Kim Hargreaves), two hats, two scarves, and a pair of cabled mitts! And I may be forgetting something. We also bought other yarns for lots of other projects! If you have never been to Webs, it is well worth the trip if it is a manageable distance for you.

There was a drawing for prizes connected to the book launch, and I couldn't believe it when I heard my name being called. I won Addi Turbos 40" size 4 needles, two skeins of Valley Yarns Superwash, and a package of stitch markers. These are all the supplies needed to knit the pair of sample socks that start of the book. I'd been uncertain as to whether I'd actually buy the book, but of course I then had to, so I could try the sample socks out. I think it will be fun. I tend to suffer from Second Sock Syndrome, so I'd love to learn this way of kntting two socks at once on one long circular needle. Webs and Melissa offer an extra pattern to those who buy the book at Webs, an incentive not to go to Amazon for this title!

Today is miserable--snow earlier (and due again later), sleet, ice pellets, high winds expected--a perfect day to stay in and knit. So I'd best get back to exactly that. I am working on a couple of small felted bowls for a friend for the holiday. Good thing they don't take long to knit!

Hooked on Ravelry

Well, I have joined all of those who spend much of their free time (when not knitting or crocheting, of course) on Ravelry. I am amazed at how many ideas I've been getting for future projects, and I love checking out various yarns and how they have worked up. It is a fabulous resource center. I traded some yarn, and made the acquaintance of a very nice, very talented woman in New Hampshire. We'd hoped to meet this Sunday at the book launch at Webs, but it looks like the weather is conspiring against that.

I've been trying to finish up a lot of UFOs, and have been successful with two scarves. Both were started months ago, and at this point, I am not sure who will be getting them, so there wasn't a lot of impetus to finish them up. I found that although I loved the intense colors of the Brown Sheep Handpaint yarn I used in this entrelac scarf, I am not really a big fan of mohair (sudden discovery), and this yarn is 70% mohair.

I've started and finished a few smaller projects, although I really should be working on my Fair Isle cardigan. I have promised myself the knitting will be done by the end of the year, but I'd better scoot to make that happen! The steeking that will follow has me hyperventilating, even though I know it won't be that bad. I've made two Fidgets, both out of Moda Dea Tweedle Dee, and love the yarn (even though it is 80% acrylic) and the pattern. Also a couple of presents for friends, and since they haven't gotten them yet, I won't say anything about them here.






Like everyone else, I'm very impressed by the large number of patterns in the current issue of Knitty that I'd like to start working on. The Quant headband (entrelac) may be the first one I start with. I wonder what your favorite is from this batch of patterns? And are you now spending all your time on Ravelry, too?