Sock Summit Rocked

Just got back from Sock Summit 2011. It was a really fun time. Portland is a beautiful city and a great host to this event. I got to take three classes and meet some of my heroes. I learned some neat things and feel really inspired. The Market place was amazing but I limited myself to ten skeins of yarns. I will post pictures soon.

Knitting Marathon

So, because I have bought so much yarny goodness over the last couple months, I made myself swear I would not make any more yarn purchases until I had completed at least 10 projects. I have been knitting like a mad women for the last three weeks and today I have completed project number 7. I'm very proud of myself for setting a goal and I am working very hard at achieving it. I have a reward already in mind because I want to make the Squirrel Sampler Mitts but I don't have the appropriate yarn in my stash so I have to complete 3 more items before submitting my Knit Picks order. I also want to do some knitting inspired by the TV show 'Castle'. They got some great knitted items in the show.

There be Pirates

So, my boys are totally into pirates right now so of course, when asked "What are you going to be for Halloween?" They responded, Argh! I was very dissappointed with the costume patterns available for toddlers and young children so I ended up using the Simplicity pattern for the Jack Sparrow costume from the Pirates of the Carribean. This is made for older kids and teenagers but after several hours I was able to size it down to a size 4.

The hats are knit out of cascade 220 using the Tricorn Hat pattern from 'knitlikeapirate'. I was quite concerned while knitting the first one that it would be way to large for the little guys but I was able to shrink it to the right size during the felting process. I used a glass mixing bowl to shape it and the sewed the sides up. After all it has to stand up to these guys.

I am quite happy with the way they turned out and so were the boys. I bought the black pants and also long sleeve white t-shirts to put under them when they go out next Saturday night. Hopefully it won't snow before now and then.

Speaking of Dragons

I have just started reading the Aisling Gray series by Katie Macalister. They are absolute riot. I have actually found myself laughing out loud. The interaction between Aisling, who has just found out she is a guardian of portals to hell and her pet demon, Jim are just hilariously. At the same time as finding out she is a guardian, she also discovers she is the dragon's mate (one who can withstand dragon fire). Her destined mate is not just a dragon but wyvern (leader of the his sept). I have just started the second book in the series and am seriously hooked.

Welcome to Dragon Fi(b)re! The Blue Dragon Shawl

I have just finished the Blue Dragon Shawl. It is based on the Kiwi Pattern that I found on Ravelry. This shawl is being donated to a local daycare to be used as part of a fundraising auction.

I am quite happy with the results of this piece. The fibre is from Fleece Artist - 60% Wool, 20% Mohair, 10% Nylon and 5% Silk. The colours range from navy, to royal blue with some periwinkle as well as lavender. That, along with the pattern in the lace, it reminded me of dragon's scales.