What's a knitter to do?

When she's at that point in her sock, where she knits and knits. Then knits some more but the damn thing just won't grow!
I could just knit some more and have faith that one day (hopefully soon) I'll be at the heel turn, or,

I could cast on for another project! It's my clapotis! Still in the beginning stages, but unlike the sock, I do feel like progress is being made! The sock will get another opportunity to grow as I head for some sunny weather (80 degree's here I come!) in Phoenix for a long weekend! Here's hoping I come back with a heel turn and a slight tan. Ok, at least a heel turn.

Danskin Triathlon 2008

Registration opened an closed within a few hours for this years Danskin Triathlon and I'm happy to say myself and my friends all made it in! This will be my third year in a row for the race and this years goal is:

1 hour 45 mins

I better get to work!

A much needed breath of fresh air

It's been a very busy couple of weeks around here. Too busy (and too tired) for blogging and sadly knitting too. But yesterday I got a much needed recharge for my battery! While the hubby hit the slopes on his snowboard, Mara and I hit the trails for a little snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Resort. It was an unusually sunny and beautiful day, although we got a little snow at the top of the mountain, which was a great way to start off the trek. We took the ski lift to the top of the mountain, then enjoyed the views on trails. It was a great workout, a great treat and there was even time for knitting in the lodge afterwards!

Madrona: The Download

I just returned from this years Madrona Fiber Festival. I've unpacked the suitcase, unloaded the food bag (or what's left of the wine, I should say), petted, photographed and admired my new yarn and now I'm ready to blog about it.

Lounging in the living room.

First, we got to the hotel to discover the room I reserved for the four of us was not the one we got. Instead of 2 double beds, we ended up with a sweet suite! And the best part was, when we told them about it, they said, have it for the price you were quoted! Sweet! The other fun (maybe annoying) part about checking in was when Mara, Rebecca and I checked in, the two young men at the counter just looked at us and said:

Young men: "You're knitters?'
Us: "Yes, we're knitters."

Them: "Really? Huh?"

The stereotypes live on.

My first class was Lace Basics with Evelyn Clark. It was very interesting and while it took me a little while to get the hang of it, I think I'm going to like it. Plus, I think this will be a very good challenge for me as I'm not one for really following directions all that well and with lace, one must pay strict attention to the pattern and details. The class was accomplished with minimal swearing. Plus it was fun to have Erin there too!

The afternoon was free time! Good thing I travel to Tacoma with my Tacoma Fun Fact Friend Mara! We took a great walk along the waterfront, saw the house where Frank Sinatra was born and checked out Stadium H.S. where 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed in honor of Heath Ledger.

This morning I only had one class Knitting in All Directions with Margaret Radcliff. It was very interesting to learn about different techniques to cast on, pick up, use waste yarn for design elements. I think this will be some practical and handy stuff to know!

Now of course I can't leave out the market place! One of the highlights of the convention! I did go a little crazy, but I really don't think I was alone there! I bought a bunch of sock yarn! I bought several skeins from Tactile - a company that uses naturally dyed yarns and writes the names of the sheep that the yarn came from on their lables! I also bought a skein of Socks That Rock in Farmhouse. Then I bought Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road so I could knit up all of this new sock yarn!

I also picked out the yarn for my clapotis! I'm using medium weight sock yarn from Socks That Rock in Faulty Dryer. I've already printed out the pattern and I'm ready to get to work!

Who's your Austen Man?

I came across this web site today and thought, in honor of Valentines Day, this would make a fitting blog entry:

The Men of Austen. Who is your Austen Man? It's a poll and it features all of Austen's leading men complete with their bio: their occupation, salary (even equated into today's value), their likes, dislikes and what features they're looking for in a woman.

I have to admit, it's quite funny. I voted for Mr. Darcy. And despite his millions, I'd have voted for him even if he was mearly a lowly clergyman without good family breeding.

Hangin' with the Idaho Girls!

A busy few days in Boise, but I still got to see some of my favorite people! The Idaho Girls are super cute and growing so fast! It was great to hang with them for a little while! It was just what I needed! Now it's time to get ready for Madrona and more knitting! In fact, the Idaho Girls dad was quite funny. He's one of those that just doesn't get knitting. I tried to tell him what Madrona was but he kept saying, "knitting is code for what?"

This time the gauge will be juuusst right

A little over a year ago I started the Toe Jazz socks from Fiber Trends. I was using a size 0 needle and between the insy-bitsy needle and all the cables and ribbing, it was so damn tight. So I threw it into the craft closet to think about what it had done for a while. After finishing Matt's socks the other day, I decided it was time to pull them out and take another stab at them. So I ripped 'em out and started over on size two's. Those were way to loose. Ripped 'em out again. Last night I recast on with size ones. So far, so good. But it might be too early to tell. I'll have to keep pluggin' along and see where the yarn takes me.

I have no photos to accompany this as I'm blogging from Boise for an unexpected trip back home. However, I am getting lots of creative juices flowing as I'm checking out all the new fun quilting stuff my mother is working on. She's currently taken over the dinning room (much to my father's dismay) as yet the third room in the house with quilt projects. Stay tuned for pictures later.

Sewing Bee

The other day I met up with a few other Purly Girls who also dabble in the fabric arts. They were all making these beautiful quilt blocks while I struggled with pajama pants. Following patterns (rules, instructions, etc.) has never been my strong suit. But after a while I just went with the flow. I have to say, these Olivia PJ pants are super cute! I bought three different types of Olvia fabric online and am totally loving them!

Some of Jessica's Harry Potter quilt blocks (below) and some of Amanda's quilt blocks & more of Jessica's quilt blocks (above).