That Was Quick

I visited Amaz0n on friday and did a bit of "feel good shopping." We've all done that, right?
Almost all of what I got was knitting related. 4 dvds and two books.

Knitting Around with Elizabeth Zimmermann & Meg Swansen. Own the book and like watching EZ and MS knit.
Knitting Lace with Meg Swansen. Getting lace obsessed and thought this might be a good watch.
Knitting a Guernsey Pullover. I've not done one and thought it would be fun to see this being knitted.
Knitting the Baby Surprise Jacket. Yep. I've got to make a few more and this will be fun to watch. And it has extra stuff on it!

I must admit, I like watching knitting videos but not knitting what they are showing in the video. These items will probably be viewed when I need to escape. I'll report back on them after the holidays.

Knit Kimono has been one of those books that I heard about on L&V Podcast and thought "I should really take a look at it." And I got it from the library and thought, "There are enough patterns that I would knit in this book that I should just buy it!" So I did.

And KnitMary brought her copy of Kaffe Knits Again: 24 Original Designs Updated for Today's Knitters and I saw a few sweaters that I might consider knitting. Truth be told, intarsia scares me more than it should so I should probably put intarsia on my to-do-list.

Those are my additions. I like them. :)

What Vivian Hoxbro Do You Have?

The RAINBOW Jacket in color 11, thanks for asking.
KnitMary was looking at the picture of my stash. Her keen eye immediately sees the kit and asked me about it via email. No, I've not started it yet. I don't know when I will start it to be honest. I bought it in November or end of last year because it was a good price and the colors are great and nice design and it is rainbow.
What are these things called? � *wondering*
I called Schoolhouse Press today because I wanted to make sure I understand the Surprise Jacket pattern. Guess who I got to talk too? You got it. The question about the pattern was passed to none other than Meg Swansen. She's so charming and enjoys having her designs appreciated. She answered all my questions so I can begin knitting on the sweater. (I really didn't want to make a mistake and frogging out the work. I happened to mention KnitMary's excitement of her yarn arrival ("UPS is a wonderful thing" KnitMary says). Meg gushed that KnitMary's idea to do the Celtic Swirl in natural colors is so good she wanted to knit another one for herself.
I'm meeting KnitMary on Saturday to see the yarn and then stop by the new shop. A report will be posted on Saturday.

See? Knitters are fabulous

this email is from KnitMary, she gave me permission to post it here. I think this is a prime example of how nice knitters can be.
WOW, I called School House Press yesterday to find out about them kitting a sweater for me and was so suprised that Meg answered the phone. I know her voice from the video. She was so so sweet. I wanted a price for kitting the Celtic Swirl in Meg Swansen's Knitting and she gushed over me thanking ME for liking her design. She said it has not gotten a lot of attention. I think it's about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I decided to make it in graduating shades of natural undyed sheep colors using their unspun icelandic. Now if I could only plan for 5 extra hours a day I'd be in great shape.

I had a great time knitting and chatting and swigging coffee with you. Especially meeting our new friend- we'll have to call him Preach til we get his real name. I was quite suprised to see my name on your blog. too cute. So now I'm knitMary and GrannyMary.

Off to Hat and Sole to find some Birks. My feet love summer.

later,
KnitGrannyMary

Quick Stop and Surprise Help

I've been knitting on the Surprise Baby Jacket by EZ. I got to a certain point in the pattern and my brain started to short circuit. It didn't make sense. I'm supposed to bind off stitches and then continue to add them and knit extra ridges? So, I stopped by Knitter's Mercantile to ask Sallie for some help. Funny what she said. "Just do what it says and stop looking ahead." Okay, i'm thinking.... I might have to call School House Press and confirm what I think is being done. I hoped to have the jacket done by Sunday, but I'm thinking I'll enjoy working on it slowly.
I did finish the baby booties that are knitted out of the same yarn. I must admit, I didn't enjoy finishing those booties. All that easing of the toes and such. I like knitting in the round. Must find good bootie patterns knit in the round. Any suggestions? (really, I'd like to avoid ever knitting flat booties again)
I continue on the wonderful Blueberry Scarf out of Noro close to color 131. I went back and adjusted the needle size to a 9. A little better overall. It is a sturdy scarf and exactly what I needed, to be able to knit something without having to think but not be totally void of challenge. I was able to get the pattern down after the first skein. I like it.
I'm considering knitting a cotton t-shirt for summer. I'm thinking of knitting it in the round and making it a yoke pattern. Something light, slightly oversized and comfortable. Of course, it would need to be in a good color. I have skeins of some cotton classic yarn, but probably not quite enough. Must avoid buying more yarn, must avoid buying more yarn, must avoid....
I did stop at the Yarn Shop two Saturdays ago and looked at some yarn there. She didn't have enough in stock for me and was going to order more. I've not heard back. Not a good sign, really. On a good note, they've expanded their first store. I've not been in awhile. I'll have to correct this in the future.
Seems like a new shop has opened. Heavenly Creations, LLC Yarn & Fiber Shop. I'll have to stop by. Care to join me KnitMary?
Speaking of KnitMary, she had a great experience talking to School House Press! She actually got to talk to Meg. I'll have to ask KnitMary if I can post her email.