I have so many things to tell you today! First of all, thank you for all the well wishes. I'm feeling much better. I have my fingers crossed that this crud I had doesn't come back for round three - and that John doesn't get it! But, for now, it's all good at my house.
I had an amazing mail day yesterday. Dontcha love that? Two packages, a magazine and some catalogs. Not like today where John and I each got a credit card offer and that was it. Phooey.
Anyway, here's what I got... First of all, a huge "Thank You" to my Sockapalooza pal, Karen, who sent me the most gorgeous socks. I love 'em. They are squooshy and warm and fabulous. Mwah! I smooch you!
She also sent a postcard from Chicago (where she lives) and the cutest little knitting gift enclosure from Glam Science. Check them out. They have cute little handmade paper goods. Tres cool!
I also sent out the socks that I knit for my Sockapalooza pal. Click here if you'd like to see them... I know, they're on my feet. Kinda weird, but how else could I tell if they fit? Don't worry, my feet were clean(ish). It's the Straight Laced pattern from Knitty using Koigu's KPPPM - my fave! They turned out quite nice, if I do say so mah-self. I hope she likes them!
I also got some (okay, a lot of) spinning accomplished this week. I turned this into this. Now I'm working on plying it, and it's sorta driving me nutso. I had three full bobbins of singles, and I wanted a two-ply yarn. So, I thought I would ply two of the bobbins together and wind the third one into a center-pull ball and ply from both ends. Well, that's a fine plan, except this is the center-pull ball from hell. Ugh. It keeps getting tangled and unruly. It really has a bad attitude. I should be able to finish plying this first skein tonight if I don't end up throwing the whole thing out the window.
And, last but definitely not least, I got a package from my Secret Pal. First of all, let me say that my Secret Pal is the best. No contest. She sends me the sweetest, cutest, bestest stuff ever. And I really dig her handwriting. In this package, we have gorgeous blue stitch markers, a doggie journal and matching magnetic "to-do" list, and two super-ultra-faboo skeins of the new Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud. You have to feel this yarn. It is incredibly soft. In fact, I may never knit with it - I will just pet it occasionally. Oh, I just thought of something. If you were flat-chested, you could use it to stuff your bra. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I don't have that need.
In any event, I'm really in love with this yarn, and I want to make something befitting its lovelieness. Which means that it's time for a contest! Leave a comment with your suggestion of what this yarn should grow up to be. I have 880 yards of this beautiful lace weight alpaca. Please give me the pattern name, link to the pattern (if possible) or where to find it, and be sure to leave your email address so I can track you down if you're the winner. To be fair, I will draw randomly from all entrants, even if I don't choose your pattern to knit. The drawing will be held on March 23rd, at 7:30pm CST. Good luck!
You should make an Oriel stole! If you wanna see what it looks like, look at Margene's (http://zeneedle.typepad.com/photos/on_stage_now/orielasdamselindestress.html) or Susan's (http://img126.exs.cx/img126/9308/OrielBig.jpg). You can get the pattern from Black Sheep Wool Company in Salt Lake City. (801) 487-9378.
Miriam
Posted by: Miriam | 17 March 2005 at 11:01 PM
Hooray! What great looking socks you got. And your Broadripples are terrific. You're sock pal's gonna love 'em. Glad you had fun. I had such a blast that I think I'm gonna have to do a Sockapalooza 2! Hope you'll join us again then. :)
Posted by: alison | 17 March 2005 at 11:29 PM
Oooh, I would totally make the Streaming Leaves shawl from last summer's IK - it's so beautiful and could be used as a blanket, too! You're a lucky girl! I want your mailman.
Posted by: Anne | 17 March 2005 at 11:33 PM
I would say make either a Mobeus (sp?), a Flower Basket shawl from IK or the Ene's Scarf (I just think it's GORGEOUS) from Scarf Style.
Posted by: Lisa | 18 March 2005 at 06:06 AM
I suggest that you make a kiri-
http://www.alltangledup.com/movabletype/my_images/my_patterns/kiri.pdf
Posted by: Elizabeth | 18 March 2005 at 08:11 AM
Honey..I won't bog down your creativity by giving you detailed guidelines. The only suggeston I have is to make something lovely for your mom.....heehee. I'm sure you will come up with something wonderful!!!
Posted by: mom | 18 March 2005 at 12:33 PM
I was going to say Flower Basket Shawl from IK too! It would be beautiful! What an awesome package, and beautiful Sockapalooza socks! Your spinning looks great, Jen.
Posted by: Carrie | 18 March 2005 at 12:42 PM
The Flower Basket Shawl from IK is very lovely and not too difficult if would use those lovely stitch markers you now have. Just make it bigger than the pattern suggests. The Kiri shawl (from http://www.alltangledup.com) looks nice also--Polly reworked and rewrote the Birch Pattern from Rowan do you don't have to start by casting on 299 stitches.
Posted by: Stacie | 18 March 2005 at 02:04 PM
I would also think about making the IK Flower basket shawl. I made it with some alpaca and it was gorgeous. But, make it big--the pattern specifications are a little small.
Posted by: Amy | 20 March 2005 at 08:59 AM
I don't know, but I reckon taht Wrap Jacket from the latest Rebecca, #29, I think. I don't know which pattern it is though..Rebecca doesn't seem to have any pictures of it up, but heres a link to Wendy's finished one : http://wendyknits.net/knit/rebecca.htm
Or you could knit the FBS. Or Kiri.
Posted by: Monique | 20 March 2005 at 11:29 PM
I'm so happy you enjoyed your package, I was meaning to suggest the flower basket shawl from IK in your card but forgot. Enjoy whatever you end up making with it!
(p.s. sometimes if no ones looking I like to pet the alpaca cloud like a kitty, you should try it sometime, instead of, um, your other uses =) )
Posted by: Secret Pal | 22 March 2005 at 06:57 PM
Your yarn is so pretty! I just got my alpaca cloud in the mail a few days ago (in pink, green, and blue), and I too have been petting it! I'm planning on making the airy scarf from 'last minute knitted gifts' but in a bit longer length.. a few for mother's day, plus one for me. :)
Posted by: Nancy | 23 March 2005 at 07:08 PM
Whoa those socks are super cute! I love the stripes. I have been eyeing those little knitting notecards for a while- you got some great pals!
Posted by: Illanna | 06 April 2005 at 09:59 AM
I am trying to find a place to participate in a secret pal swap. Ask.com sent me to your site (so I hope you don't mind!).
I have tons of wool and knitting stuff that I'd love to surprise someone with. Any ideas??
Thanks for your help!!
Liz Ramirez
Richmond, Virginia
Posted by: Liz Ramirez | 31 March 2006 at 09:35 AM
I thank you for your comment.
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