Busted camera, finished Fifi...

(I bet you didn't even know I'd started!)

Hello there, everyone! I hope August has been treating you well.

I haven't posted in over two whole weeks (!) I'm also way behind in checking my blog subscriptions (and I, um, subscribe to several hundred knitting blogs, so... ...hopefully I'll be able to catch up on all the cool stuff everyone is doing...).

I don't have a really great reason, but it's partially due to the fact that my camera is having issues, so I haven't had any photos for you. I'm borrowing a camera that I can't seem to take great pictures with (and it's been gray most days), but here are a few anyway.

Bug, lounging between my feet:



Fifi

Earlier this month was my birthday, and in addition to going out to eat and having a really delicious cake (Chocolate Truffle Cake, recipe courtesy of Sheri at The Loopy Ewe -- yummy!), I cast on for Fifi.

I've finished it, and here it is, unblocked (modeled by Bug, for now):



As you can see, Bug was impersonating a slug during the (rather brief) photoshoot:



I'll be sure to take photos of me wearing it soon (hopefully I'll solve my camera issues first!!), and I'll give you more details about how it knit up.


Sockapalooza Sock Pattern

A number of you asked about the pattern that Ellen used to make my lovely Sockapalooza socks -- she says her sister found it at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts. I think it might be from this booklet, but I'll double check with Ellen to make sure.

UPDATE: Ellen found the pattern: Parting Ways Socks by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer. Thanks Ellen!



Mystery Stole

I took a little break from my Mystery Stole to knit Fifi, but -- never fear! -- I'm working away on it again. I'm currently working Clue 5 (the first clue of the "wing" portion of the stole), and I'm enjoying it! -- Pictures soon...




P.S. If you're on Ravelry, come by and visit (and "friend" me, if you like)! I'm "OctopusKnits" there.

P.S.S. Bug and Moana weren't really on strike for my previous post, I just forgot to take their pictures with my Sockapalooza loot! They were quite miffed ; )

Sockapalooza!

Look at the gorgeous socks my Sockapalooza 4 pal, Ellen (who seems to be blog-free), made for me!



Aren't they completely beautiful? She used Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn in what looks like the Nightwatch colorway and a lovely lacey pattern with cable-like detail (which she chose because she noticed how much I like cables!).



Here are some more views of them:







I couldn't be more pleased!

But wait... there's more!



Bonus socks which Ellen had made for herself, but turned out too big for her! She had hoped they would fit me, but, alas, they're a bit too long in the foot. She told me to re-gift them if they didn't fit, but I love the socks (done in a lovely, soft cotton sock yarn - great for summer), so I'm considering performing a little toe surgery to make them fit. They have a wonderful cuff pattern, and the salmon, raspberry, and blue striping is such fun to look at!

It turns out that Ellen is from Austin, Texas, and she wanted to share a little piece of it with me:



What a deliciously scented piece it is! In her note she explained:
"That soap is handmade locally and is a combination of all the things that are best about south Austin."

She went on:
"Please enjoy. You may find the odd dog or cat hair/fur... I have 3 dogs and 4 cats, so it's a bit hard to keep completely beast free in my house. Happy Sock Day, Ellen"

Well, that sounds familiar (here a hair, there a hair, everywhere a cat hair)...

Thanks so much, Ellen! (What a fantastic sock pal!)



P.S. Bug and Moana are on strike for the day, so no goofy kitty pictures - but don't worry, there will be more in the future...

Mystery Stole Progress...

Here I am in the middle of Clue 4:


I found Melanie's explanation of the theme (Swan Lake) and how it led to her stitch pattern choices and color suggestions intriguing.

Bug and Moana were quite impressed with the cat paw pattern (inspired by the "pas de chat" step performed in the Dance of the Little Swans) in this part of the stole:


I can't wait to get to Clue 5 -- the wing! I'm totally up for asymmetry, and I think it sounds fun. For some reason, I like to leave in my old lifelines (red thread -- which you might notice in the photos). Hopefully I'll never have to rip back to any of them!

Bug's bed was magically transported onto the Mystery Stole while he napped.


He looked somewhat shocked to find himself there, but, fortunately, he was amenable to posing for a few pictures.

There's the well-behaved "aren't I cute" pose:


The "you can't stop me from continuing my nap" pose:


The slightly-crazed blurry paw pose:


...and the contemplative cat pose:


All in all, a successful shoot (boy, is my Mystery Stole covered in cat hair).

I mentioned a while back that I had won a prize from the wonderful Rosina of Noteworthy Knits. Not only did it include some lovely yarn, but a number of other goodies, as well. Just look at this haul!



The yarn is fabulously squishy ONline Linie 130 Champ superwash merino in a hot, bright pink color. Color coordinating pens and stationary, lemongrass scented aromatherapy body butter, and some tasty chocolate filled roll cookies (already gone, I'm afraid) round out the prize. Thanks so much, Rosina!

P.S. Many of you asked me what I was going to do with the lovely Damasco yarn I showed in my last post. I haven't decided yet, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm thinking something from Victorian Lace Today (maybe the "scarf with fir-cone lace border").