Smokey Mtn Fiber Festival

Saturday was a super busy day for us, we headed out for the first Smokey Mtn Fiber Festival and we had a really nice day (with no rain for a change!).  It was in Townsend, which is the "sleepy side" entrance to The Great Smokey Mountains.  (The other side is Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with a bazillion and a half  tourists).

There was a lot to see and do. I didn't attend any classes but may consider it next time. I missed the sheep shearing too. For leaving our house so early we were really rushed while we were there!

I was busy looking at everything (so MUCH to take in in such a short time - I think I'd hyperventilate and get the vapors if I ever attended SAFF!) so my daughter took the pictures for me.  Once I get around all this stuff, it's like I'm in a candy shop.

I actually didn't purchase a whole lot here, we were kind of in a rush to get to the sheep-dog roundup they were having down the road a little later.  Luckily I had already picked up some yarn loveliness  at The Knitting Nest (the yarn shop in Maryville on the way there) so I didn't leave feeling deprived.

This was so much fun to see, aren't these guys cute?

I don't know if you can see Rick ready to spring into action here behind his owner. He's trained by a certain whistle and he knows when to chase, go right, go left, cut them off, etc. by the whistle. He was awesome and he's actually almost blind because of an accident he had. All this couple's dogs are rescued dogs too. The way they talk about their animals (and they have a LOT), you know they really care about each and every one.

Brock, his buddy on the left, was a little more of his own mind but he's still learning. They like to round up ducks, goats, and cattle as well on their farm.  Once they get their job done they're free to go take a dip in the water tub there! They are ADORABLE, and I'm not just saying that because we're partial to our Jenna either! ;O)

We need to get her some ducks!

Skewed

Add me to the bandwagon:

My First TOE UPS EVER!! 

And probably my last to be honest. 

I totally and thoroughly enjoyed knitting this pattern (Lana is an amazing designer and super nice person - I had to bug her about something and she was fast and so helpful). The thing I guess I didn't care much for was the fit on my leg and the bind off - and that would probably bother me with ANY toe ups I think.  I just ended up using a larger size needle and it worked out - but they were either too "loose" or too "tight" for a bit there.  These are still fun to make (a LOT of FUN!) but it's going to take adjustments to make them easier to pull on and take off if I make them again and I'm just a lazy relaxed sock knitter.  If it takes too much brain power, I'm not up to it right now, even with everyone's mods on Ravelry to refer to. 

Project: Skew
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Semi Solid in Slate colorway
Size 1 needle ML
The PERFECT sock pattern for that FUNKY yarn you aren't sure what to do with!

Side Note: I had forgotten how "fuzzy" CTH sock yarns can get and this one was the same. I haven't even worn these yet but they already look like I have....LOTS!  But they're soft - and so FUN to look at so I don't mind. (too much).  This pattern is super fast to knit up, if you haven't tried them you should, I think Lana's already added mods to the main pattern on her blog to adjust for a better fit.

I was so excited to knit these after the Ravelympics that I'm feeling "lost" right now trying to pick another project to start. I think it may be more socks, but... cuff down this time I think!
Happy Knitting.

The End of Another Great Event

I've finally crossed the finish line and all of my events are done. I entered this project in the Lace Luge and my mittens were in the Mitten Mogul Event.



Pattern: Birds Nest Smoke Ring Cowl
Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock in Dahlia colorway
Needles: Size 5 & 6
Mods: Left out one repeat (my neck isn't that long). I also made an error in the second repeat where I should've moved my marker at the end of a round but completely skipped it. I can definitely see it now that it's blocked out. Can you see it?



Since this is a cowl and is worn bunched up, I wasn't going to sweat it (plus, realizing it about 20 rows later meant that I was NEVER going to knit back to fix it in a million years anyway with all those yarn overs!).

Overall, I really enjoyed this pattern. It has a chart (which would've made me see my boo-boo earlier on) and written instructions so anyone can do it. What I wasn't crazy about was the picot edging. That messed me up more than anything for some reason (and it's so EASY!). Next time I'll just knit a regular edge and crochet a scallop or picot edge on if necessary. Crocheting is SO much easier to rip back and fix for someone like me who can fall asleep while knitting.

I used the same yarn for my SIL's cowl (that was worsted weight though) and the "bleeding" issue was still pretty bad. Three rinses and it was still turning the rinse water pink. Oh well. It's lovely otherwise. I really should email them and let them know that's a bit excessive though.

I'm very pleased to be done for the 2010 Ravelympics. Now I can breathe, rest, and knit whatever the heck I want to, when I want to. It was fun, but I'm ready to be a slouch again. Go Team USA and Go Ravelympians!!

One Event Down, One To Go....

Pattern: Lola's Flip-Top Mittens

(pattern is in "101 One Skein Designer Patterns")

Yarn: Moda Dea Sassy in Crush (discontinued)

Team: Burnin' Up The Stash (We're teamBUTS!)

Size 2 needles

I made the women's size medium I believe (7" hand circ.) and they're a bit snug. I think I could've gone a size larger as tight of a knitter as I am.

Mods: Used the same 1x1 ribbing up on the flap instead of garter stitch and used my own decreases for the top.

I didn't add a button....yet. Still deciding if I want to.
I love this design. The flap is pretty sturdy, it doesn't seem as floppy as some I've seen and read about. Next time I would make my bottom ribbing longer as well, I like more coverage on my wrists.

I know this one is boring but it's very soft and squishy. I used this UFO as an entry for the Yarn Harlot's Olympics. I got it done but was slow at getting the ends weaved in.

Pattern: Lion Brands Baby Blanket (about 32x32)

Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun

Size 11 needles

Colorway: Baroque

This is an entry into Dawn's contest she's holding for lapghans for her Grandmother's nursing home. Just spreading a little love. I have another one already going as well. Sometimes Garter stitch is so relaxing. This is stash yarn as well. Maybe someday I'll be able to see my closet floor!

Onward for Olympic Gold. Go USA!

~*~Happy Valentines Day!~*~

I celebrated yesterday with a trip to Hobby Lobby, Barnes & Noble, and eating out with my family! In between I made it to my knitting meeting and after having missed two in a row, it was like taking a nice long drink of cool water! It was SO refreshing for my non-knitting mojo and I had a blast! Today we're watching the olympics and relaxing. We've got little snow flakes coming down, it's a nice day to chill.

I've got to really get back to knitting on my Ravelympic projects...soon!

Olympic Spirit!

Wow! All set and cast on for the Ravelympics! What a fabulously fun thing to be involved in! This is my second time and I have to admit, it's even more fun this time. I joined two teams this year, I'm on Team Mine! (for us "selfish" knitters) and Team BUTS (Burning Up The Stash - no explanation why I'm there is necessary) I'm having SO much fun, but haven't gotten too much knitting done. Yet.

I've also joined Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics as well. For that challenge I'm going to working on one of two UFO's that are just the bane of my existence so they ARE a HUGE challenge for me. I don't even want to say what they are (and I said I'd only finish one to save face).
Confession: I am NOT a sports fan. I get totally annoyed at announcers voices and constant banter and I hate that "two minutes left on the clock" could take 2 hours to wrap up. I would rather just watch the very end to get the score than watch a whole game of ANYthing. But the Olympics are so different for me. It's so much more. So much much more. I especially love the Winter Ones.

Gee, I wonder why?

Hmmmmmmm.

Yowza.

Ahhhhhh........Awesome.

Back to the games.....

I Guess I Asked For It

I forgot I changed my door decoration this year:

Mother Nature must've liked it!

But it's gone for the most part now. We may get more next week.

Isn't this little birdie a cutie! Nice and "round" like me! ;O) Happy Winter!