Goodies!!!

I thought today was going to be good because the McRib is back at McDonalds. It turns out that today is good because I got a rockin' package from my secret pal. It was a sock-themed package including some handmade socks in Socks that Rock (Sapphire colorway)light weight. The socks are really beautiful and I can't believe that a very nice stranger would go through all that work for me. Also included in the package was a needle roll to keep my DPNs in, stitch markers, a cute card, hand sanitizer, and a beautiful skein of Fleece Artist in the Seafoam colorway. Thank you secret pal.


Here is a close up of the socks:Here is proof that the sock fits. I know the angle isn't so great but this is my very first pair of hand-knit socks so I am still learning the best sock angles!

Here is the lovely yarn. Do you have any suggestions on a project for it?
Last but not least, here is the whole glorious package. Whose secret pal rocks? Mine does!!!

Progress...yes! Pictures? Um...not so much

Wow, sorry to be away from the blog so long. I have been very busy and some of it even envolved knitting. Mom and I took our sock class and had a great time. The instructor was just lovely and I am thinking about sending her some Speed Demon sock yarn as a thank you. The class was two sessions but probably could have a third session added on if people don't already know how to knit socks. The instructor said that in her other classes her students had all knit socks before and were just taking the class to learn the Magic Loop method. I am only to the heel flap on the first sock and I am about 10 rows away from making the turn. I need to take a photo of my progress.

I finished the two red scarves that I made for the Orphan Foundation of America and got them mailed off by the due date. Did I take a picture of the two scarves nestled in the shipping box with the cute tags with a message and washing instructions attached? No. I meant to but I was so excited to get the box out that I sealed it before my brain could catch up with my hands.

I started Emily's scarf which is only fair as she has started the painting that she is making in exchange for the scarf. This is the first time that I have used black yarn and it requires a brightly lit area so I will have to abandon some of my usual knitting spots in favor of the couch next to the floor lamp so I can point all three bulbs down at the knitting.

I will be doing training the next three days. Wednesday I will be taking the second of three classes so I can be certified to teach First Aid/CPR/AED through the American Red Cross. A coworker and I are getting certified for work so that we have someone on site that can teach the classes. Thursday and Friday I will be at an IPCSA conference which should be fun but I am not looking forward to the commute to get to the training. I hope everyone is healthy and happy out there and next time I will remember to take photos. ^-^

Ravelry...the new addiction of choice

So I have gotten completely addicted to Ravelry. I love the forums, searching the the patterns, the groups, all of it! One of the best things for me is seeing what other people have made with a specific yarn because I have a bad habit of buying yarn with no project in mind. If the yarn is pretty or soft I will take it home and then it just stays in my stash indefinitely. Now I have a great resource for ideas and patterns and all the wonderful things knit-related. I have great local knitting stores that I could use but I'm a tad socially awkward and I can't imagine saying to another knitter that I am not creative enough or smart enough to figure out a pattern for my new yarn. If you are a knitter and not on Ravelry or on the waiting list, I encourage you to sign up. It is so many things to so many knitters: some like the social aspect, some like the pattern and yarn database, some like having an all-hours place to get their knitting questions answered, some like having a place to organize their stash, some like having a place to keep track of all of their projects (in progress and finished). Me? I like it all. I did volunteer to be an editor. I decided I should help out as much as I can since I am getting a lot of enjoyment out of Ravelry!

I got some new yarn today in the mail. I had heard a lot of talk about Dream in Color Smooshy so I ordered some to see what it is like. It definitely lives up to its name. I found out on the Ravelry message boards that The Loopy Ewe is going to start carrying the worsted version of Dream in Color and I can't wait to try that once she gets it in!

I have done some actually knitting. I am about 3/4 done with the red Irish Hiking scarf that I am making for the Red Scarf project. Once I get it done I will be making another Irish Hiking scarf for a girl at work. I will post photos later this weekend.